May 19, 2013

“Hines Ward” Rule Added to NFL

March 26, 2009 by 13 Comments

Pittsburgh SteelersI know it is a source of pride for a lot of Steelers fans that their smiling wide receiver Hines Ward blocks like a maniac.  I honestly wish Browns wide receivers cared about blocking downfield.  Still, it seems to me that a lot of Ward’s greatest hits are based on hunting for guys who aren’t looking and then attempting to de-brain them.  He lowered his helmet on Ed Reed, broke Keith Rivers’ jaw, blew up Bart Scott and achieved a $5000 fine for hitting Daven Holly in a helmet to helmet after Najeh Davenport was already down in a game against the Browns.  Holly went on to miss the next game with a concussion.

Amongst the four new safety proposals that the NFL has passed this year at the owners’ meetings, one seems like it is instituting what I am calling the “Hines Ward” rule.

The third accepted proposal involves a play in which Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward made a block that resulted in a broken jaw for Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers. A 15-yard penalty will be enforced if a player delivers a blindside block to the head of a defender using his helmet, forearm or shoulder. The penalty will be enforced if a helmet, shoulder or forearm strikes the head or neck of the defender.

Honestly, it is a shame that this rule is coming into effect.  Not that I don’t think Hines Ward is dirty and tries to make the most explosive hit possible.  I do.  I just think this rule is going to be a really tough judgment call for officials to make on the field.  I am guessing that a lot of guys who don’t deliberately head hunt with the unnecessary veracity that Ward does will end up getting penalized for plays that don’t really fall into the same category.  It is another case where one bad apple spoils the bunch, and as NFL fans we now have one more rule to worry about to upend offensive possessions.

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Other safety measures added by the NFL include stricter rules on the “wedge” for kickoffs, rules for lining up for onside kicks, and stepped up protections for defenseless receivers from forearm and shoulder hits.

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  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Scott

    I think letting Bart Scott, Keith Rivers and Ed Reed should just get to play whack-a-mole with Ward’s dome for a few minutes and then we can call it even.

  • Tron

    Words alone can not adequately describe the disdain I have for Hines Ward. I get so tried of Steelers fans saying he’s a clean blocker and just a hard working player. I know a lot of fans of other teams and pretty much everyone agrees, when it comes to cheapshot players, Hines is high up on the list.

  • Harv 21

    He also delivers plenty of clean blocks, and gives full effort blocking on every single play. He hangs onto the ball over the middle while absorbing ferocious hits. He plays great in the biggest games. He plays hurt. He smiles on the field like he actually appreciates the opportunity to play sports for a living. I am not a Steelers’ fan, but Ward can play on my team any day. Would you rather watch our Edwards Scissorshands?

  • Boomhauer

    I just wish someone would crack Ward with a similar hit as the ones he hands out and then we’d see if he was still smiling.

  • bobby

    I just hate Ward. I can’t stand going to WFNY and see his picture the first thing… anyone want to add another post?

  • Jewpants

    what’s with the no wedge rule. No more than two players can block side by side within two yards of another blocker on kick returns. That is beyond stupid, and almost impossible to avoid. How does it make the game safe by changing the alignment of players? . . they will still be smashing straight into ‘wedge-busters’ running full steam downfield. talk about a penalty that could be called on every play

  • humboldt

    the timing of this rule change is interesting – right on the heels of Natasha Richardson’s death from a brain injury. Glad the NFL is doing what it can to avoid TBI

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Denny

    I agree with Harv – I’ll even go as far as saying I enjoy Ward’s game. He has fun. He works hard. He does the things that most primadonna WR’s won’t do. And he’s good. I wish that our receivers would take note of what he does for that team.

    This rule is something that the former players who “analyze” for ESPN, FOX, etc. will be laughing at, just like the tuck rule and all the QB protection rules. The game is going sissy.

  • steelers4life

    this rule is a joke….they are destroying the nfl by trying to make this a 2 touch game hines ward is not a dirty player he gets hit the same way going across the middle as he hits other players but you dont see the owners making any damn rule for protecting the receivers going across the middle this is just the players that got hit by ward crying to their daddys and getting this rule established

  • S-Dub

    With this wedge rule, maybe we’ll see Cribbs take it to the house a few more times this year.

  • JM

    Here is a great idea. Make it touch football! I mean come on the NFL is becoming a joke with all these dumb rules.

  • jrod

    Ward is a great player. He his people just the same as they his him. It is not his fault that the other players cant take the hit as well. and if the other players are scard to get hit why are they even playing in the NFL. I think the rule is stupid it takes meaning from the game. next ther will be rules like you cant hit the quarter back or that you cant kick field goals, something stupid llike that.

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  • http://yahoo.com Samantha

    Yeah, he is considered a dirty player by players from the browns and bengals cause they cant take hits like ward can. ward is an amazing player and one of the best wide recievers you could ask for!! jealousy is a disease…and if the other teams cant take the hits, well then they deffinetly shouldnt be in the nfl. they know what they signed up to do && if they didnt wunna do it well i guess they just shouldnt have signed up. all i have to say is that pittsburgh is an amazing team and thats why we have more rings (6) than any of the other teams in the nfl. and ward is an amazing player thats why he still plays if hes hurt and can deliver one of the best games you’ll ever watch!!!