Waiting, wondering

Hines Ward (Photo credit: LZ Creations)

The waiting, the wondering began in the middle of last season.

His infectious smile and aggressive style won me over long ago. Not the prototype wide receiver, he parlayed an incredible work ethic into a starter’s role. Once there, his willingness to block set him apart. He set the standard for a blocking wide receiver. Blessed with good hands, he played long enough to set Pittsburgh Steelers career records for receptions, receiving yards and receiving TDs. He served as a mentor to others who came along to wear the black and gold.

As the 2011 season progressed, Hines Ward‘s role diminished. Younger, swifter receivers found the ball spiraling into their hands. Waiting, wondering. Had the end arrived? Late in the year, the Steelers worked hm into the lineup often enough to catch his 1,000th pass in the last game. Waiting, wondering.

The season ended with a bitter disappointment in a playoff game with Denver. The waiting, the wondering continued. Will Pittsburgh re-sign Hines Ward?

He has stated publicly that he wants to retire as a Steeler. He has stated publicly that he wants to play at least one more year. Those two propositions may not come together even though he has also stated publicly that he will take a pay cut to make it happen.

Ward has two years remaining on his contract. The Steelers owe him a roster bonus in the near future. That means the waiting cannot last too long.

On Saturday a report appeared that the Steelers had reached the decision not to keep Hines Ward. The report came from NFL.com. The Steelers and Ward himself report have made no decision one way or the other.

Should he stay, Ward would likely be the fourth receiver on the depth chart, perhaps even the fifth receiver. His playing time would diminish; he might even be inactive at times. But he would bring his incredible presence to the locker room. A difficult decision lies ahead. Imagining the Steelers without Hines Ward or imagining that smile encased in a helmet colored other than black and gold makes my stomach hurt.

I am but a fan. My waiting and wondering cannot match that of Hines Ward and the Steelers organization.

I am but a fan. Football is only a game. In this world, my sisters and brothers wait wonder about the source of their next meal; or if their child will make it safely home; or if they will make it through the checkpoint without being harassed and abused; or if this will finally be the interview where they receive the offer of a job; or if the doctor will say “cancer” or “AIDS” or whatever word holds fear; or if the armed marauders will come over the hill to kill or rape. My waiting and wondering pales beside matters of real concern.

I know all that. I admit it freely.

But I am a fan.

So I wait and wonder.

See you along the Trail.