Former Steelers WR Hines Ward among 26 semifinalists for 2022 Hall of Fame class

For a sixth consecutive year, Hines Ward has made it to within two steps of enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver on Wednesday was named as one of 26 modern-era semifinalists to be part of the 2022 induction class. Ward, who retired after a 2011 season in which he made his 1,000^th NFL catch, has been a semifinalist in all six cycles since he’s been eligible.

Ward is one of six wide receivers among the 26 semifinalists that were culled from an initial group of 123 that was announced in September. That includes three receivers who made it in their first year of eligibility: Steve Smith, Anquan Boldin and Andre Johnson. That underscores that uphill climb Ward has at achieving induction.

A 49-person selection committee will further whittle down the list of semifinalists to 10 finalists before voting for, likely, five inductees among that group (not counting those eligible as coaches, contributors or as a “senior” candidate).

Ward has never made it to the round of finalists. Former teammate Alan Faneca lobbied for Ward’s induction during his own induction this past year, choosing Ward as his official presenter at Faneca’s ceremony.

Ward played in three Super Bowls, winning two, for the Steelers from 1998-2011, being named most valuable player of Super Bowl XL after the 2005 season. A four-time Pro Bowl honoree and three-time second-team AP All Pro, Ward finished his career with 1,000 catches, 12,083 receiving yards and 85 touchdowns.

Supporters of Ward’s induction contend he is considered arguably the best blocking wide receiver of all time.

Alan Faneca expects more players from the Steelers’ 5th Super Bowl championship to eventually wear the gold jacket.
Including Hines Ward. https://t.co/TF5TFRHEi7

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) July 17, 2021

Ward was the only semifinalist with ties to the Steelers. Others who were part of the initial list of 123 who did not make the cut include Heath Miller, Casey Hampton, Hardy Nickerson and Gary Anderson. Former Central Catholic and Penn State offensive lineman Steve Wisniewski also was eliminated from contention in this round.

Finalists and those chosen for induction will be announced over Super Bowl weekend in February. The ceremony is scheduled for the first weekend of August.

The Steelers had six former members of the organization inducted this past summer, when three separate classes had ceremonies because of the coronavirus pandemic and a special centennial class that celebrated the NFL’s 100^th anniversary.

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