Hines Ward, a Receiver Born Into the Wrong Era, Deserves Hall of Fame Recognition | THE MARK-UP

The Pittsburgh Steelers of the mid-to-late 2000's were built on defense, toughness and running the football. It's rather fitting, then, that we're overlooking their top receiver's Hall of Fame case nearly a decade later.

Hines Ward was the opposite of the typical divas who dominated the pass-catching accolades of his era. Ward never held out and did sit-ups in his driveway for the entirety of the sports media conglomerate to broadcast to the outside world. He never mumbled the phrase "straight cash, homie" to inspire contract negotiations.

Ward was a vocal leader in the locker room and on the field, and said all the right things off of it. He symbolized all the Steelers of that era valued in a star player, and he deserves to be immortalized in Canton.

It's natural for Ward to be overlooked considering he's on the same ballot with teammate Troy Polamalu. Yet, the Georgia product's numbers match up with the best wide receivers of his era, but without the fanfare.

Ward finished his illustrious career with exactly 1,000 receptions for 12,083 yards and 85 touchdowns. In the process, he made just four Pro Bowls, in part because his intangibles never garnered the level of respect it should've.

Given the Steelers' run-heavy offense, Ward became arguably the best blocking wide receiver in NFL history. The league literally had to alter the rulebook thanks to Ward's crack-back blocks, which by today's standards would have him fined and suspended time and time again.

Ward's statistics translated to the postseason as well. In 18 games he recorded 88 catches for 1,181 yards and 10 touchdowns, and was named the MVP of Super Bowl XL. This dwarfs the playoff accolades of Terrell Owens, Randy Moss and even Marvin Harrison, long considered the best pass-catchers of Ward's era.

Hines' chances are unrealistic due to the players he's often compared to. They're immortalized, not just for their on-field play, but personalities and flare off of it. Ward was a flash from the past, a player born into the wrong era of football and one who, in all likelihood, will never receive the recognition he deserves in the NFL afterlife.

If the Pro Football Hall of Fame truly claims to tell stories of the NFL's greatest warriors, then Ward ought to be included.