“For me, I never wanted this to be a negative situation, ... It was a cry out that I wanted to be here. I missed football—it sucked being at home. It was the worst thing ever, sitting at home watching your teammates practice. I want to be out there preparing for the season and getting better. Like I said, I think we have a great opportunity to make a run. I want to be a part of that.”
“We have to stay away from the negative plays. The third-and-longs, those are hard to overcome. We overcame a couple of them last year but last year we were a great team with second-and-short, third-and-short.”
“[Wide receiver Hines Ward will not argue the facts: The Steelers' first-team offense is struggling. The unit failed to score a touchdown in four preseason games and failed to convert on more than 80 percent of their third-down attempts. When told that coach Bill Cowher said the team is not where it needs to be, Ward said.] What team is at their peak right now? ... It's just a process. We have to grow and keep on working.”
“I was a little worried with the holdout, of people questioning my character and being put in the category of a T.O., ... But I went to pick up my wife and son at the airport yesterday and the lady at the Great Steak place said, 'I can't give you a million dollars, but I can give you a steak sandwich for free.' I got a kick out of that.”
“I was a little worried with the holdout, of people questioning my character and being put in the category of a T.O., ... But I went to pick up my wife and son at the airport yesterday and the lady at the Great Steak place said, `I can't give you a million dollars, but I can give you a steak sandwich for free.' I got a kick out of that.”
“Relieved? Yes, ... I don’t wish this on anybody. It was very hard to go out onto the field with peace of mind knowing that you’re so close. I can go into the season focused now.”
“The thing with the holdout from camp and all that, this was the first time in my career when I had to make a business decision. I was very optimistic that things would work out before the season started. I want to thank Mr. Rooney personally. I never meant the holdout to show up this organization. It was strictly business. I didn’t want it to get personal, because I want to be here. I’m excited. My whole family is excited. I called my mom last night to tell her the news, and she broke down crying. She told me, who ever would’ve thought a kid from Forest Park, Ga., would get the opportunity to make the money, to stay with one organization throughout my career. I look good in black-and-gold.”
