Former Pittsburgh Steelers’ WR Hines Ward new NBC Sports NFL analyst-NFL News
Former Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver, Hines Ward, who made desperate unsuccessful efforts until the very end to extend his stint with Steelers for more seasons, has become a game analyst for the NBC Sports Network.
A section of media has reported that the disgruntled player has reached an agreement with the American sports network, NBC, to comment on the National Football League (NFL) and college football league.
Under the deal, the four-time pro Bowl WR will be a regular contributor to the NBC’s Football Night in America, which is aired every Sunday.
He will also comment on the college football league programme of the network, which it broadcasts on Saturday.
No other terms of the deal were disclosed by any of the two stakeholders but the agreement fulfils the desire of the player to become a regular commentator on the game of American professional football.
The opportunity is presented to him a couple of months after he announced retirement from the professional league against his desire.
After playing the league for 14 successive years, Ward wanted to extend his tenure for a couple of more years, at least, to end his career with Steelers.
It did not work out for him at the end because Steelers were said to be facing a compelling problem with regard to their players’ salaries, which was well above the cap level, and they released some of their veterans, including Ward.
Ward even offered the management to play under reduced financial terms, but he was not given that option even though the team had redone deals of quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger and some other players.
The WR was eventually released and became an unrestricted free agent.
Given the level of form he had shown in the later part of the 2011 NFL season and the age factor, it was unlikely for him to attract any team.
After showing some resentment during the initial few days of his release, the veteran realised it was time for him to call it quits.
Also, he explained that he always wanted to end his pro career as a Steeler and to fulfil his wish, he announced the retirement.
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