Steelers.com reports (Steelers Release Ward) reports Hines Ward has been released. Ward, a 14 year veteran, and one of only 8 receivers with 1,000 catches, is also one of only two player, along with Jerry Rice, to have over 12,000 yards and multiple Super Bowl rings.

Ward was drafted in 1998, and has played his entire career with the Steelers, becoming an icon of the team.

He may not have been the fasted receiver, or the most skilled, but what Ward brought to the field, the locker room, his team and Steeler Nation was a love of the game, a style of play that was tailor-made for the Steelers, and a smile that could be seen no matter how hard he was hit.

I for one, mourn the end of this great player's career with the Steelers.