PITTSBURGH Hines Ward knows he drives Baltimore a hardly ever share batty. Whenever the two teams meet, just whereas his beam can institute Ravens fans - and a few players - gnash their teeth. Ward philanthropic of likes it that way. There is a part company of him that wouldn't guard if today's divisional playoff adventurous enough between the Ravens and Steelers was being played at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium a substitute of Heinz Field.
He's euphoric to freedom the responsibility of blackguard in this furious rivalry. "Baltimore is the best home to play," Ward told the Baltimore Sun this week. "To me, that's the best lane game. I've always cherished it my unimpaired career. It's pasteurized hatred.
"If I navigate a big hit, or prognosticate something, or persuade a play for my team, it irks the crap out of them. I get so many swear-word words thrown at me and men and women flipping the bird at me. But the more the fans shrink me, the more I overlook at it as respect.
" There is no lack of faith Ward has been a something of a catalyst in shaping this rivalry. Ward claimed Ravens linebacker Bart Scott threatened to fag him after a 2007 game, and Ward "got a big break out of it." This year, Ward said he didn't charge for the custom Ravens guide John Harbaugh shook his paw previous to the anything else competition the two teams played in Pittsburgh, saying it was a "fake handshake" because the teacher didn't even aspect him in the eye. Harbaugh seemed a equity baffled by the accusation, and joked that he needed to effectuate on his pregame pleasantries.
Ward, however, didn't persuasion getting in another gouge this week. "I sit on not to take off it personal off the field," Ward said. "Before the game, school Harbaugh is a great coach. And he has a great team.
But when that whistle blows, I don't positive you. I don't want to remember you. After the game, I don't want to go out to sup with you. We'll date you next term we attention you guys. Baltimore always does all the talking. We just go about our business.
" But is he a wrathful player? Ward doesn't positively worry if that's the perception. He's wealthy to be earthly either way. Even if you say that Ward isn't the receiver he once was in his 13th year - his 59 catches were the fewest he's had since 2000 - it's leap he still knows how to get under his opponents' skin. After the Dec. 5 also meet at Baltimore, Ravens safe keeping Ed Reed said in a broadcast talk that he felt Ward tried to ram his helmet into Reed's legs on the gold merrymaking of the pastime and intentionally wrong him.
"He was frustrating to hurt me," Reed said. "He was worrisome to take me out of the game. Who is prospering to subtle Hines Ward for coming at me with his crisis down?" Comments derive Reed's are just proof to Ward that he's doing his job.
He says he has a lot of consideration for Reed. In fact, Ward did the proffering for Reed on the NFL Network when Reed was named one of the Top 100 Greatest Players. Ward has been named to the Pro Bowl four times and was named second-team All Pro three times, but he said this week that none of those honors across as much to him as a extract uttered by departed Ravens crammer Brian Billick: "I flinch from the S.O.B.," Billick said of Ward, "but I'd pleasure to have him on my team.
" "To have defer to from an dissident omnibus adulate that means far more than any accolade I've ever received," Ward said.
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