Dawn of the Dawg
Fansided

Georgia football: Three of the most outstanding Super Bowl performers

By Payton Wilkerson

Helmets of the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals sit in front of the Lombardi Trophy as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addresses the media on February 09, 2022 at the NFL Network's Champions Field at the NFL Media Building on the SoFi Stadium campus in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Helmets of the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals sit in front of the Lombardi Trophy as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addresses the media on February 09, 2022 at the NFL Network's Champions Field at the NFL Media Building on the SoFi Stadium campus in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Georgia football
Steelers Hines Ward during Super Bowl XL between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on February 5, 2006. (Photo by Allen Kee/Getty Images) /

Hines Ward, Super Bowl XL vs. Seahawks

Hines Ward will forever go down as one of the most versatile players in Georgia football history. He made plays as a quarterback, running back, and a wide receiver for the Dawgs. He finished his collegiate career with 3,031 yards from scrimmage with 16 touchdowns before being drafted in the third round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1998.

He became a favorite target of Steelers QB Tommy Maddox and soon Ben Roethlisberger after Maddox left. From 2001-2004, Ward posted consecutive 1,000-yard seasons receiving, being named to the Pro Bowl for his efforts.

His play as a receiver helped the Steelers grab a Wild Card spot in the 2005 playoffs, where they went on the road three consecutive weeks en route to winning the AFC Championship.

Super Bowl XL against the Seattle Seahawks cemented Ward as a Steelers’ legend. Leading 14-10 with less than nine minutes remaining in the game, the Steelers were looking to add some insurance points. Ben Roethlisberger would hand the ball off to running back Willie Parker, who then flipped it to receiver Antwaan Randle El. Randle El dropped back to pass and hit Ward for a 43-yard touchdown pass.

The Seahawks would not come back from this, and the Steelers went on to win the game 21-10, their first Super Bowl win since 1979. Ward finished with five catches for 123 yards and a touchdown, and he was named the MVP of the game.

Ward went on to win another Super Bowl with the Steelers in 2008 and made an appearance in Super Bowl XLV. He retired from football in 2012.

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