Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward Went To School Where?
Yes, former University
of Georgia (UGA) quarterback Hines Ward
was named most-valuable player (MVP)
of Super Bowl XL. But something
seems to have been lost
on the media and the University
of Georgia (UGA). If you had
watched the ABC
Sports presentation of the starting
lineups for the games, each of the players gave their names and the names
of the schools they played for. All except for Hines Ward. Instead of saying
the "University of Georgia", he simply said "Forest Park,
Georgia". Why would he do this? It might be because he was displeased
with the way that UGA handled the termination
of his coach Jim
Donnan (40-19 from 1996-2000).
Or it might be dissatisfaction with the way UGA
President Michael Adams fired coaching legend
and athletics director Vince
Dooley. Or maybe it was nothing
at all. Still, it is an interesting question since UGA
has played up the MVP award
on their web site and most certainly will play it up for recruiting purposes.
Comment posted by Gregg Eldred02/08/2006 12:01:09 PM
Homepage: http://www.ns-tech.com/blog/geldred.nsf
One other player, whose name escapes me, gave the name of his high school instead of college. I think it was a Seahawk.
02/08/2006 12:29:11 PM
Comment posted by Jerry Glover02/08/2006 12:06:06 PM
Homepage: http://www.jerryglover.com
I don't remember, did Ward leave UGA early? This subject (concerning DeShea Townsend using his hometown HS) came up in a conversation and someone said that the NFL only allows players to name their college in intros if they actually graduated from the school. I don't know if it's true or not.
02/08/2006 08:14:10 PM
Comment posted by Christopher Byrne02/08/2006 08:04:20 PM
Homepage: http://www.controlscaddy.com/
I asked <b>Claude Felton, Sports Commuications Director at UGA</b>, if he graduated and about the NFL rule you heard about. Claude was going to check about the graduation, but that is really a moot point. He said that<br /><br /><i>"there is no rule prohibiting a player from naming their college in pre-game intros. I noticed some players mentioned their high schools--it's up to the player and some of them wanted to give some recognition to their high school or hometown."</i><br /><br />So we may never know his reasons. I also have a call in to the PR Director of the Steelers inquiring but have not heard back from him (heck, he is probably on a well deserved vacation!)
<br /><br />Thanks Claude!