2002: (Receiving) 112 RECs for 1329 YDs, 12 TDs - 11.9 AVG. (Rushing) 12 ATTs for 142 YDs, 0 TDs - 11.8 AVG. 1 FUM.
2002 marked Hines' second straight trip to the Pro Bowl and also the Associated Press All-Pro Squad. The second-team selection in both honors is hotly contested by Steeler fans, for what is the best all-around receiver in the league. Hines' 12 TDs ties records by Louis Lipps and Buddy Dial. His 1,329 receiving yards were 69 yards short of Yancey Thigpen's record in 1997. Hines remains a running threat in the reverse as exhibited by his 11.8 rushing average. As always, he is an integral part of the Steeler running game, laying in the crucial block on a safety or cornerback...or just for the hell of it.

Hines Ward was drafted by the Steelers in the third round in 1998. At Georgia, Hines had played QB, RB, and WR. Ward made a big impression with his special teams play his rookie year but it wasn't until his 1999 season that it became very apparent that the Steelers had done a good job of profiling Hines as a physical receiver who would be fearless making the tough catch across the middle and equally physical blocking for the running game. Many feel that he is one of best blocking wide receivers since Chris Carter retired.

In 2001, Ward and fellow teammate Plaxico Burress both reached the 1000-yard plateau and were the first tandem in Pittsburgh history to both reach that mark. Hines signed a 5-year extension in 2001.

At Georgia, he finished his career ranked second in school history with 144 receptions and had 1,965 career receiving yards to rank third in team history. He is second to Herschel Walker in all-purpose yards. Hines was a 1997 All-American choice by The Poor Man’s Guide to the NFL Draft and earned All-Southeastern Conference honors as a senior.