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Hines Ward speaks to McMurray Elementary students

By Suzanne Elliott 3 min read
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Hines Ward shows off his “Dancing With the Stars” technique.

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Hines Ward signs an autograph at McMurray Elementary School.

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Hines Ward greets McMurray Elementary School students Paul and Gabriella Koupiaris.

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Hines Ward flashes his famous smile.

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Harry Funk / Staff Hines Ward apparently enjoys his appearance at McMurray Elementary School.

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Hines Ward greets students and faculty members prior to his talk at McMurray Elementary School on Friday morning.

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A McMurray Elementary School student wearing a Hines Ward shirt raises her hand to ask Hines Ward a question.

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A McMurray Elementary School student listens to Hines Ward speak while wearing her Hines Ward shirt.

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Gabriella Koupiaris enjoys her time on stage with Hines Ward.

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Hines Ward lets McMurray Elementary School student Paul Koupiaris do the talking.

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Hines Ward apparently enjoys his appearance at McMurray Elementary School.

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Hines Ward apparently enjoys his appearance at McMurray Elementary School.

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Blair Stoehr, McMurray Elementary School principal, greets Hines Ward.

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Hines Ward addresses McMurray Elementary School students.

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Hines Ward signs a staff member’s Hines Ward jersey.

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Gabriella Koupiaris shows her admiration for Hines Ward.

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Hines Ward speaks at McMurray Elementary School.

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A McMurray Elementary School staff member takes a “selfie” with Hines Ward.

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Hines Ward signs an autograph at McMurray Elementary School.

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A McMurray Elementary School student asks Hines Ward a question.

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A McMurray Elementary School student asks Hines Ward a question.

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A McMurray Elementary School student asks Hines Ward a question.

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A McMurray Elementary School teachers gives Hines Ward the thumbs-up.

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Hines Ward speaks at McMurray Elementary School.

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Hines Ward speaks at McMurray Elementary School.

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Hines Ward speaks at McMurray Elementary School.

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Hines Ward speaks at McMurray Elementary School.

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Hines Ward signs a Terrible Towel at McMurray Elementary School.

The smile on Hines Ward’s face was almost as large as the crowd of students that greeted the former Super Bowl MVP March 4 at McMurray Elementary School.

The former Steelers wide receiver was the speaker at a morning assembly and spoke to the students about the importance of hard work and goal setting.

Clad in blue jeans and a black sweater, Ward led the students in a chant of “Lets Go Steelers,” and then talked about his childhood dream of playing in the National Football League.

”How do you accomplish your goals?” he asked the students. “By working hard and getting good grades.”

In order to play every Sunday, Ward told the students he had to practice during the week and work on the little things. And he compared practice with homework.

“Homework is important and never give up on your dreams,” he said.

Ward said it is important, too, to be surrounded by positive people who believe you can succeed.

“When I think of negative people, I think of the Baltimore Ravens,” Ward told the crowd, who cheered. “You have to help each other.”

Adversity will happen, so don’t be afraid to face it, he said. Everyone has fears.

“We want to win every game, but we are going to lose some” said Ward, who played for the Steelers for 14 years before retiring in 2011. “Life is going to teach you adversity. You are just going to have to deal with it.”

For the remainder of his hour-long talk, Ward fielded questions from the fourth, fifth, and sixth graders who asked a myriad of questions on topics that varied from his winning performance on “Dancing With the Stars,” to who his best friend on the Steelers is (Jerome Bettis), to why he retired (bad knees).

“You have to push yourself each and every day to learn,” he said. “Why did I retire? Because, you can’t play sports forever. I played 14 years and was very blessed.”

“The Steelers gave me an opportunity and I made the most of it,” said Ward, who played football at the University of Georgia and was drafted in the third round by Pittsburgh.

Ward also took questions from teachers. The former wide receiver, who is half Korean, was asked if he spoke any languages. He said he knew a few words of Korean and wished he had paid more attention in Spanish class. When he mentioned that, students chanted terrible towel in Spanish, which brought an even larger smile to his face.

One teacher told Ward he was admired in Pittsburgh because he is fearless.

“We all have fears,” Ward said in response. “I was afraid to go to the beach because of the movie ‘Jaws.’ But, you have to get over the hump and get out of your comfort zone.”

Following his talk, Ward took a picture with each of McMurray Elementary’s 38 homerooms. Each student will be given a copy of the picture.

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