Five years ago, running back Jerome Bettis retired after the Steelers won Super Bowl XL. Will wide receiver Hines Ward follow the same script if Pittsburgh defeats the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6?
The 13-year pro told the *Pittsburgh Tribune-Review* on Wednesday that he hasn't given it much thought since telling a group of high school students in April he would retire if he won a third Super Bowl with the Steelers.
"My mom asked me that the other day. I really haven't thought about it, to be honest," Ward said. "I don't want to make an emotional decision based off that."
Ward was second on the Steelers in receptions, trailing Mike Wallace by one, but Ward's 59 catches were his fewest since 2000. His 755 yards were his second fewest since 2000, and his five touchdown catches were his fewest since 2004.
Ward holds 14 Steelers franchise records, including 954 receptions, 11,702 yards and 84 touchdowns, and he remains a team leader on a club going for its third Super Bowl victory in the past six years.
"I just want to be singly focused on winning this ballgame and figure out what is going to happen after that," said Ward, who was voted the MVP of the game that proved to be Bettis' swan song.
