Hines Ward
FILE - Hines Ward, at the time the New York Jets' offensive assistant coach, walks on the field during the NFL football team's training camp in Florham Park, N.J., July 25, 2019. Ward is getting his first opportunity to be a head coach with San Antonio in the new XFL. The league relaunches in February 2023. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Hines Ward's path to becoming NFL head coach starts in XFL

By Rob Maaddi Sep. 30, 2022 04:53 AM EDT

New Houston Texans NFL football team head coach Lovie Smith speaks at an introductory press conference, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at NRG Stadium in Houston. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)
Smith becomes 1 of 5 minority head coaches with Texans hire

By Kristie Rieken Feb. 08, 2022 04:21 PM EST

Former Chicago Bears returner Devin Hester smiles during a retirement ceremony Monday, April 23, 2018 at Halas Hall. Seven first-time eligible former players, including wide receivers Andre Johnson, Steve Smith and Anquan Boldin, are among 26 modern day semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2022. Joining them as candidates for induction next year are outstanding kick returner Devin Hester; pass-rushing standouts Robert Mathis and DeMarcus Ware; and run-stuffing defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. Each last played in the 2016 season. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP)
Andre Johnson, Steve Smith among Hall of Fame semifinalists

By Barry Wilner Nov. 24, 2021 01:04 PM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2006, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers' Alan Faneca holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl 15 football game in Detroit. The most memorable example of Faneca's brilliant blocking and dominance up front came on football's biggest stage in February 2006 during Pittsburgh's 21-10 victory over Seattle in the Super Bowl. Faneca was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his sixth year of eligibility and it is an honor that many believe was a long time coming. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Faneca set tone for Steelers' O-line on way to Hall of Fame

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Jul. 30, 2021 12:24 PM EDT

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher works the sidelines against the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh, in this Sunday Nov. 28, 1999, file photo. Cowher, who won 149 games and a Super Bowl in 15 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1992-2006, will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next month. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Cowher caps unlikely success story with Hall of Fame nod

By Will Graves Jul. 19, 2021 01:43 PM EDT

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin celebrates as he walks off the field following a win over the Cincinnati Bengals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Steelers looking for a perfect 10 against skidding Jaguars

By Mark Long Nov. 19, 2020 12:37 PM EST

New York Jets' Jeff Smith makes a catch during practice at the NFL football team's training camp in Florham Park, N.J., Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020. Jeff Smith was a quarterback for as long as he can remember before a position switch to wide receiver in college. It turned out to be his unexpected path to the NFL. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
QB-turned-WR Jeff Smith catching on again at Jets camp

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Aug. 21, 2020 12:12 PM EDT

Rating Super Bowls: Classics, Memorables and Duds

By Barry Wilner Jan. 26, 2020 12:12 PM EST
MIAMI (AP) — Not all Super Bowls are super. Some are classics, some are memorable but not quite fit for total greatness. Some have elements...

New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) looks to pass in front of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ola Adeniyi (92) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Steelers playoff hopes damaged with 16-10 loss to Bell, Jets

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Dec. 22, 2019 04:24 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2019, file photo, New York Jets offensive assistant coach Hines Ward watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla. Ward has been a popular guy this week — and he has the voicemails, texts and emails to prove it. The Steelers are coming to town and the former Pittsburgh wide receiver has been hearing from friends and former colleagues who hope to catch up with the Jets' offensive assistant coach. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Jets' Hines Ward finds himself in 'strange' spot vs Steelers

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Dec. 20, 2019 06:29 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2009, file photo, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne, right, reaches out while attempting a catch under the defense of Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Derek Cox in the second half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis. Safety Troy Polamalu, wide receiver Reggie Wayne and linebacker Patrick Willis are first-year eligible players among the 25 semifinalists of the modern era for the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)
Polamalu, Wayne, Willis 1st year eligible for Hall of Fame

By Barry Wilner Nov. 26, 2019 01:03 PM EST

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II looks for wide receiver Keelan Cole before throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars 10/27/2019

Oct. 27, 2019 01:16 PM EDT

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady takes questions from reporters following an NFL football practice, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Steelers are last team to beat Patriots in game that counted

By Jimmy Golen Sep. 05, 2019 07:02 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 25, 2019, file photo, New York Jets coach Hines Ward comes off the field after a practice at the NFL football team's training camp in Florham Park, N.J. The New York Jets have hired former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward as a full-time offensive assistant. Ward worked with the Jets during the summer as a coaching intern and impressed coach Adam Gase and his staff. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Jets hire former Steelers star Ward as offensive assistant

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Sep. 02, 2019 12:01 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 28, 2014, file photo, Denver Broncos' Champ Bailey answers a question during media day for the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game in Newark, N.J. Bailey will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on Aug. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
HOF Preview: Bailey's best play blemished Brady's perfection

By Arnie Stapleton Jul. 30, 2019 12:25 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 25, 2019, file photo, Quinnen Williams poses with his new team jersey after the New York Jets selected Williams in the first round at the NFL football draft in Nashville, Tenn. The New York Jets have reported for training camp without top draft pick Quinnen Williams, who remains unsigned. The sticking point appears to be the schedule of how Williams' signing bonus of about $21.7 million will be paid. The Jets hold their first camp practice Thursday morning, July 25. (AP Photo/Jeff Haynes, File)
Jets report for camp without unsigned Quinnen Williams

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Jul. 24, 2019 11:36 AM EDT