End of an era: Steelers cut ties with Hines Ward

Hines Ward caught more passes for more yards and more touchdowns than anyone in Steelers history and he introduced the devastating wide receiver block -- almost always delivered with a smile on his face -- to the modern NFL.

Wednesday, the Steelers delivered the toughest body-blow to Ward's 14-year career when they announced their plans to release him, without ever asking him to take a pay cut.

Ward saw this possibility coming after the coaches demoted him from his 13-year run as a starter on Nov. 13 in Cincinnati, then used him sparingly over the final seven games. They did frantically and successfully manage to help him become only the eighth player in NFL history to catch 1,000 passes, targeting him enough times in the final two games for him to hit that number on the nose with five receptions in the finale at Cleveland.

It became almost apparent then that this may have been their final gift to the tough, little receiver from Georgia, a third-round draft choice in 1998 who played his entire career with the Steelers.

That career -- or at least his decorated career with the Steelers ??-- ended Wednesday. Ward said often that he planned to play in 2012 somewhere, even if the Steelers did not want him back, and he made those intentions known again in a statement Wednesday.

"This isn't how I wanted this chapter of my career to end,'' Ward said in the statement released through his lawyer and manager, Andy Ree. "I did everything in my power to remain a Steeler and finish what I started here 14 years ago.

"I want to thank the organization, my teammates and coaches and everyone who made my run as a Steeler the best years of my life. To Mr. Rooney [he did not specify whether he meant Dan or Art ], thank you for allowing me to play for one of the greatest organizations in the world. To my fans and in particular, Steeler Nation, thank you for your support and all the great memories.

" I gave my heart and soul for you every down and I will always bleed black and gold. I do feel that I still have more football left in me and I am looking forward to playing in the NFL, again, this upcoming season."

Ward, who had two years left on his contract at a $4 million annual salary, was never offered a chance to take a pay cut, a source close to Ward told the Post-Gazette. That would indicate the Steelers' decision was based purely on their assessment of him as a player.