Steelers Owner Art Rooney II Calls On NFL To Review Results After Legend Hines Ward Is Left Off The 2026 Hall Of Fame List – And The Reason Behind It Has The Steelers Community Furious.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – December 31, 2025
In a development that has sent shockwaves through the NFL, Steelers owner Art Rooney II publicly called on the league to reconsider the Hall of Fame ballot after legendary wide receiver Hines Ward was left off the final list for the Class of 2026.
Ward, a franchise icon, owns 1,000 receptions, 12,083 receiving yards, 85 touchdowns, 4 Pro Bowls, 3 All-Pro selections, 2 Super Bowl titles, and was Super Bowl XL MVP, yet once again fell short of Hall of Fame enshrinement, prompting Rooney to emphasize the need for fair evaluation.
“With everything Hines Ward has given — to this city, to the Steelers community, to the history of the NFL — seeing him left off the final list is deeply disappointing. If not Hines Ward, I truly don’t know who else deserves it more. The NFL needs to reassess how they measure the value and impact of a legend.”
Ward’s exclusion has sparked outrage far and wide, particularly among Seahawks fans, who remember his memorable matchups against Seattle in Super Bowl XL and other key games. Social media and fan forums have been filled with discussions highlighting his durability, consistency, and impact in high-pressure situations, underscoring the emotional and historical weight of the snub.
Analysts also note that while Ward continues to advance in the selection process, repeated omissions raise questions about whether voters properly weigh tangible accomplishments versus intangible contributions. His all-around, physical style of play, taking hits, making difficult catches, and anchoring the offense during Ben Roethlisberger’s era are factors often underappreciated.
While awaiting the final vote, Rooney’s call for fairness and transparency underscores that Ward deserves recognition.
For Steelers fans and Ward supporters, Rooney’s statement serves as both validation and a rallying cry, emphasizing Ward’s enduring impact on the NFL and creating drama and debate among Seahawks fans and across the league about a Hall of Fame legend being overlooked.
