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Award-winning columnist Tom Archdeacon — an old-school storyteller in a brand-new venue — writes about sports, the city, southwest Ohio and anything else that catches his fancy… or yours.Home > Blogs > Through the Arch > Archives > 2008 > October > 19 > Entry
blog: “A clean hit” says Hines Ward
CINCINNATI — After the game — after his early first-quarter peel- back block on Keith Rovers had broken the jaw of the Cincinnati Bengals rookie linebacker and set the tone for a 38-10 thumping of the winless Bengals — Pittsburgh Steeler receiver Hines Ward defended himself:
“It was a clean hit, just part of football. I don’t know what (league officials) are gonna say about it, but I didn’t get a penalty. I didn’t taunt. I didn’t stand over him or do anything.
“I celebrated no different than a guy getting a sack — I didn’t know he was hurt — then I patted him on the back and said a prayer and kept on going.”
Ward is one of the league’s best blocking receivers, but he has reason to be hesitant about how league brass will react.
He was fined $15,000 the past two games for unnecessary roughness even though he was not being penalized for either play in question.
The league levied a $10,000 fine on him following the Steelers’ 26-21 win at Jacksonville on Oct. 5. A week earlier, he’d been saddled with a $5,000 fine for stepping over Baltimore cornerback Corey Ivy.
Sunday’s block came on the opening drive when Steelers tight end Matt Spaeth cauight a 6-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger. The injury could knock Rivers out for the rest of the season.
Bengals linebacker Brandon Johnson — who replaced Rivers — called the play “a good block” and said “if I was in Hines Ward’s shoes, I probably would have taken the same shot You can’t really blame him.”
On guy who did seem to seek some revenge was veteran safety Dexter Jackson.
When Ward caught a 15-yard touchdown pass late in the game, he was clobbered in the end zone by Jackson, who drew a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty.
“That’s football,” Ward said. “I knew the guy was gonna hit me in the end zone. I was gonna smile all the way ‘til he hit me and after he hit me, I just kept on smiling….That’s football, too.”
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Comments
By Steve
October 22, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
I don’t think I will take KGI’s advice and go to Ward’s restaurant: if I complained about anything, I would concerned that the chef might come out and bust me. Even if this place only had a cook instead of a chef.
By inelement
October 20, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this
Come on now… All of you who say Hines Ward is a dirty player are jealous… Or haven’t a clue where this game came from. This block was textbook! What are you… a bunch of hippies??? This is football!! If you don’t want to see someone get hurt then go watch the LPGA or something…
By inelement
October 20, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
Come on now… All of you who say Hines Ward is a dirty player are jealous… Or haven’t a clue where this game came from. This block was textbook! What are you… a bunch of hippies??? This is football!! If you don’t want to see someone get hurt then go watch the LPGA or something…
By JW
October 20, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
Clearly a DIRTY hit. He led with his helmet into the head of the opposing player. If that was not dirty, then nothing is.
By NickM
October 20, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Hey “M” Did you really say the Bungals showed class by not retaliating? HA HA! Just another dumb Bungal fan who either didnt watch the game, or left early to go cry in their beer. The Bengals did retaliate. They hit Ward after he scored his touchdown and got a 15 yard penelty for it. Nice job trying to make the Bungals look good, but you failed. Just like the Bungals do every week. Heres to 0-16. Cheers.
By pk
October 20, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
Pats fan - Rivers WOULD have made the tackle. He had the angle and is a LOT faster than MAtt Spaeth. Rivers would have beat him to the corner and made the play. Ward’s block allowed him to turn the corner and gain some more yardage. Watch the replay. If you do, you’ll also notice that the first contact was between Ward’s right shoulder and Rivers’ left shoulder.
By Pats Fan
October 20, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
It was a legal hit, but a cheap hit. Rivers didn’t have a chance of tackling the guy to start with. It reminds me of the dirty play a few years ago that Warren Sapp laid on Chad Clifton. They were both legal, but both uncalled for. Ward is a cheap whiney player. I absolutely loved it when he cried on camera a few years ago after a loss. And no I am not a Bungles fan, just can’t stand the Steelers and their dirty players.
By Pats Fan
October 20, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
It was a legal hit, but a cheap hit. Rivers didn’t have a chance of tackling the guy to start with. It reminds me of the dirty play a few years ago that Warren Sapp laid on Chad Clifton. They were both legal, but both uncalled for. Ward is a cheap whiney player. I absolutely loved it when he cried on camera a few years ago after a loss. And no I am not a Bungles fan, just can’t stand the Steelers and their dirty players.
By Hairball
October 20, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
So with everyone but Obama and McCain saying the Bengals are soft is there a chance we can get better?
By JC
October 20, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
When was the last time you heard of any football player (at any level) getting a broken jaw? Attempted helmet to helmet contact is the only way this happens. Yes, Pittsburgh is a tough team and broke the Bengals will on Sunday exposing their overall heartlessnes as a football team as in the 90’s. However, Pittsburgh crosses the line repeatedly (ask Carson) and on Sunday had several helmet to helmet hits (see also Polamalu’s attemted decapitation of Benson). Ward, as a repeat offender, is clearly a dirty player and head hunter.
By pitts#1
October 20, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
m are stupid, dexter jackson did retaliate, after ward crossed the goal line. the bengals do not have any class, from their loud mouthed receivers to the rest of their sorry —- team. its football, too bad he got hurt, but he should of been aware where the other players are
By Jack
October 20, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
A clean hit by a dirty player. But, based upon past actions, he should not get the benefit of the doubt.
By m
October 20, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
Just another cheap shot from the Steelers, first Carson and now Rivers. At least the Bengals show class in not retaliating.
By kh
October 20, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
It’s too bad that Rivers is out, but it was a good block & a clean hit. Ward plays the game hard, & blocks like a linebacker. All Steeler receivers are expected to & Ward probably does it best. No way he intended to break the guy’s jaw, but guaranteed he intended for the guy to feel the hit. That’s football.
By kh
October 20, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
It’s too bad that Rivers is out, but it was a good block & a clean hit. Ward plays the game hard, & blocks like a linebacker. All Steeler receivers are expected to & Ward probably does it best. No way he intended to break the guy’s jaw, but guaranteed he intended for the guy to fell the hit. That’s football.
By bill
October 20, 2008 7:06 AM | Link to this
Cry, cry, cry. It is past the time for some changes.
By KGl
October 20, 2008 6:25 AM | Link to this
Ward is one of the nicest guys in the NFL. Always a smile on his face. Come on people…it was a clean hit! If you have the chance, visit his restaurant in Pitt., great place & great food!
By pk
October 20, 2008 6:00 AM | Link to this
It was definitely a clean hit. Rivers needs to learn to keep his head on a swivel, especially in situations like that; when there are offensive players behind him. Ward is a great player and the Bengals would love to have him.
By pk
October 20, 2008 5:59 AM | Link to this
It was definitely a clean hit. Rivers needs to learn to keep his head on a swivel, especially in situations like that; when there offensive players behind him. Ward is a great player and the Bengals would love to have him.