Dissing Hines
by Tony DeFazio

They say there are only two sure things in life: We have to pay taxes in April, and someday-hopefully a long time from now-we're going to die.

They're wrong, however. There's a third.

Hines Ward, every off-season, will get disrespected.

Last month, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was asked what, if anything, was on his "wish list" for the off-season.

One of the items on Big Ben's hypothetical list was "a tall receiver."

Roethlisberger talked about the mismatches created when Plaxico Burress played here; how his presence opened things up for other receivers, especially Hines Ward. In the same interview, Ben called the Steelers current receivers "unbelievable" - but the damage had already been done. Ben made Hines sad.

Hines took his quarterback's rather innocuous comments and instantly turned them into a stab at him. He complained immediately afterward that Tom Brady or Peyton Manning don't lobby for taller receivers, choosing to ignore the fact that after two straight Super Bowl-less seasons, Tom Brady was presented with not one, not two - but three - new wide receivers this season.

Ward also added, "I have enough problems than to worry about what Ben wants."

If that's true-and it should be-why spend time harping on Roethlisberger's harmless comments?

Because that's who Hines is - he's a fantastic football player, a hard-nosed competitor without peer, a winner… and, just as clearly, he's a guy who NEEDS a chip on his shoulder. If there's not a legitimate one-and there usually isn't-he'll create one.

Ward says he has never gotten any respect - not in high school, not in college, and certainly not with the Steelers.

Except that Ward has gotten practically nothing BUT respect. He was a Super Prep High School All-American and went on to earn All-SEC honors at Georgia. The Steelers used a third-round pick on Ward-at the time a wide receiver with limited experience at the position-in 1998.

This long-suffering existence of no respect continued into the NFL, as Ward was named team MVP or co-MVP by his teammates three times. Fans, media and players also (dis)respected Ward to the tune of four Pro Bowls.

At the end of the 2004 season, the Steelers essentially chose to keep him over Plaxico Burress. It was the correct choice, and it seemed to be a pretty emphatic show of (dis)respect for Ward.

He followed that show of faith by holding out of training camp in a contract dispute until, in the ultimate display of (dis)respect, the Steelers made him the highest paid player in team history.

Ward went on to win MVP honors in Super Bowl XL, but the (dis)respect - continued. After losing receiver Antwaan Randle El to free agency-the second straight season the Steelers lost their No. 2 receiver-Pittsburgh had the gall to make Santonio Holmes their first-round draft pick.

A month after the draft, Ward told Sports Illustrated how he felt about head coach Bill Cowher: "I don't have anything to say to him. After what he did to me, after how he treated me, no. The numbers I put up? The seasons I had, for them to keep on bringing in guys...?"

All of which brings us back to Ben's wanting to have a tall receiver in the line-up.

Ben didn't say you weren't a good receiver, Hines; in fact he said you were "unbelievable." He didn't say you were hurting the team; he merely said he'd like to have another weapon in his arsenal, even explaining how it could benefit you by giving you more room in the secondary. Hines, have a talk with Sally Field. We like you - we really like you.

We're just sick of hearing you tell us we don't.