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Hines Ward is back in the NFL, but not as a player. The legendary former Steelers receiver will instead be joining the New York Jets as an assistant coach, the team announced Monday.
Ward spent 14 seasons in the league, all with Pittsburgh. He won two Super Bowls and a Super Bowl MVP award, making the Pro Bowl four times and finishing with 1,000 catches and 85 touchdowns.
Ward had been a coaching intern during training camp, and is now being added to the full-time staff. In a statement, Jets head coach Adam Gase spoke very highly of him.
“Hines has stayed on with us throughout the entire training camp,” Gase said. “He’s actually been added to be part of the coaching staff. He’s going to be an offensive assistant, he’s going to be working with the wideouts with Shawn so I think that’s a great addition for us. He’s done a lot of really good things with that group, helping out with those guys. I think it was the right time for him. He’s excited about the opportunity.”
Gase wasn't the only one who had high praise for the Georgia product. Jets receiver Robby Anderson also talked about how great it has been to have Ward around.
“He’s a great resource because he’s done it at a high level consistently,” said Anderson. “He’s a future Hall of Famer so what more can I ask for? I’m picking his brain, and he’s more so telling me than I’m asking him, and I’m just staying on top of him. He’s just trying to find ways to get me better in each way.”
Ward has been staying active since retiring, doing plenty of media work and even making some cameos in films and TV shows.
He also served as the Player Relations Executive for the now-defunct Alliance of American Football.