The Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Baltimore Ravens this weekend, a matchup that Hines Ward "wouldn't miss for the world," according to Teresa Varley of Steelers.com. But his inclusion in this game got a little extra spice from Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs implored Ward to play this weekend, by number not name, during a radio interview this week.
“Tell 86 I hope he plays, because it wouldn’t be Baltimore-Pittsburgh without him,” said Suggs. “I would be really disappointed if 86 didn’t play. 86 has got to play. 55 is going to be on the field regardless, even if I only have one shoulder. 86 has got to play. I need him personally to play, for me.”
This is how Ward responded.
“I have to play because he said so,” said Ward. “I’m never going to miss the Baltimore-Steelers rivalry game. He’s looking for me to come out and play. He’s kind of calling me out to play. I thought I’d never hear that but I’ll be out there. I wouldn’t miss this for the world. This is one of those games as players that you really want to be a part of. It seems like it always ends up being on prime time and for us they whipped our tails the first time so now we have a chance to get some get-back and hopefully have a different outcome and take control of the AFC North.”
The Ravens beat up on the Steelers in Week 1, and it seems like Ward is intent on turning those fortunes around.
For more on the Steelers, check out Behind The Steel Curtain. For more on the Ravens, there's Baltimore Beat Down.