Mike Tomlin Advocates for Hines Ward’s Hall of Fame Induction

During his debut as an NBC Sports analyst, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin made a strong case for Hines Ward’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tomlin participated in the coverage of the annual Hall of Fame Game, which featured a matchup between the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals. Players from each team, Luke Kuechly and Larry Fitzgerald, are part of this year’s Hall of Fame Class.

When asked to choose a player to receive a “Golden Ticket” for a Hall of Fame spot, Tomlin highlighted his former player, Hines Ward. “My Golden Ticket unquestionably goes to Hines Ward,” Tomlin stated, emphasizing Ward’s impressive statistics of 1,000 career catches, 12,000 yards, and 85 touchdowns. Ward also boasts a Super Bowl MVP title, which he earned in Tomlin’s tenure.

“But beyond the statistics, it was his style of play. This guy was a predator, not prey. Every defensive player in the NFL feared Hines Ward.” – Mike Tomlin

Ward played for the Steelers from 1998 to 2011, capturing two Super Bowl victories and earning four Pro Bowl appearances. Despite ranking 31st in all-time receiving yards, Ward remains a significant figure among NFL receivers. He joined semifinalists Anquan Boldin and Sterling Sharpe in the most recent Hall of Fame voting.

Tomlin’s own Hall of Fame induction seems likely, given his successful coaching career. Over 19 seasons with the Steelers, he achieved a record of 193–114–2 and set an NFL record with 19 consecutive winning seasons. He led the team to a Super Bowl victory in 2009.

Fans have responded positively to Tomlin’s appearance as an analyst on NBC Sports. He is set to remain involved in NBC’s football coverage, focusing primarily on Sunday nights. The network’s first regular-season game features the New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks on September 9.