Alan Fancea: ‘Only a Matter of Time’ Before Hines Ward Becomes a Hall of Famer
After years of waiting, Alan Faneca will finally get his gold jacket as he is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 8.
With it being so hard for an offensive lineman to get their due to make into the Hall of Fame, Faneca is grateful to even get into Canton. However, his presenter is a wide receiver. Hines Ward will be Faneca’s presenter. Both were teammates on the run to the Steelers victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL.
However, for Faneca it is more than just those mere moments that allowed him to choose Ward as his presenter on August 8. For Faneca, his relationship with one of football’s greatest blocking wide receivers ever is more about personal depth and growth together over their time with the Black and Gold.
“You know, when I was picking Hines it was all about picking someone who gets me and who I grew as a player with,” Faneca said. “Hines is exactly that guy. I couldn’t think of a better person to present for me than Hines.”
A Hall of Fame hopeful himself, Ward was a semifinalist on the 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame ballot. While Ward has yet to hear his name called, Faneca believes that not only is Ward worthy, but that he will one day hear his name called.
“Hines is absolutely a Hall of Famer,” Faneca said. “For him, it’s just a matter of time before it happens.”
Ward amassed 1,000 receptions and 12,083 receiving yards before calling it a career. In addition, he won a Super Bowl MVP. He is also known as one of the best blockers to ever play at the wide receiver position. While the credentials for Ward are debatable and murky, Faneca certainly believes Ward is worthy and should get a bust in Canton one day.
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