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Hines Ward hired by NBC as analyst

Published: May 31, 2012 at 08:43 AM

Gregg Rosenthal

Around The NFL Podcast Co-Host

"Football Night in America" has a new analyst. Once again, they're looking toward a recently retired Pittsburgh Steeler.

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NBC announced Thursday that Hines Ward is joining the show. He also will help out on the network's college football offerings and with my old boss, Mike Florio, on NBC SportsTalk on NBC Sports Network.

"He's an opinionated personality who can draw upon his 14 years of experience, having excelled at the highest levels of the game. Just don't expect him to dance," NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network executive producer Sam Flood said.

Jerome Bettis was part of the original "FNIA" crew, but the network didn't renew his contract after three seasons. Ward essentially tried out for the gig as part of NBC's Super Bowl XLVI coverage.

Between Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison and Ward, the show now has one ex-Colt, one ex-Patriot and one ex-Steeler. That basically sums up the AFC over the last decade.

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