Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley made a recent comment on social media that certainly did not sit well with Steelers fans.
During Sunday’s Rams-Bears game, analyst Ross Tucker asked on X, “Is Puka Nacua the best blocking star WR ever?” Haley responded, ‘Simple … yes.”
Outcries of Hines Ward being snubbed poured into Haley’s mentions.
“Love Hines Ward, but he picked his spots at times I’m sorry,” Haley wrote on X.
Former Steelers wide receiver Nate Washington caught wind of Haley’s comment and unleashed on him.
“You don’t have a single clip of film to support this stupid take! You’ve never seen that man turn down contact or the effort to block! Puka ain’t put in enough work enough work to be mentioned with Hines blocking! Ask Ed Reed!” Washington wrote.
Washington is a former teammate of Ward’s, but he never played under Haley. Neither did Ward, but he served as an offensive intern in Haley’s last year with the team in 2017.
You don’t have a single clip of film
to support this stupid take! You’ve never seen that man turn down contact or the effort to block! Puka ain’t put in enough work to be mentioned with Hines blocking! Ask Ed Reed!— Nate Washington (@nwash85) January 20, 2026
As Washington mentioned, Ward threw vicious block on Ed Reed on Monday Night Football in 2007. Knocking the All-Pro safety out of the game.
https://t.co/vauZCB0mdl pic.twitter.com/OgVBGIYoew
— Tone Digs (@ToneDigz) January 19, 2026
Ward’s impact as a blocker was so well-known that the NFL changed its rules to prevent blindside blocks downfield, which has come to be known as the Hines Ward Rule. Ward’s crushing block on Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers in 2008 led to the rule change. Ward broke Rivers’ jaw with the block.
October 19, 2008 at Paul Brown Stadium. Hines Ward broke Keith Rivers jaw and ended his season while blocking for TE Matt Spaeth in week six. Hines Ward was not penalized for his block on Bengals LB Keith Rivers. The Steelers won the game 38-10. pic.twitter.com/B4Cqtfb8RD
— Billy Hartford (@CamHeywardFan) March 8, 2023
Ward failed to advance to become a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, the 10th consecutive year that Ward has been a semifinalist, but failed to advance to the finalist stage. three other former Steelers did not, including former semifinalist James Harrison.
Ward was among the 26 semifinalists announced by the Hall of Fame for the Class of 2026. That list was be cut to 15 finalists that will be voted on by the full Hall of Fame selection committee votes on the class in February.
Ward’s 14-year NFL career was spent carving out a role as one of the most physical players on the Steelers, even as a wide receiver. The Korean-born Ward won two Super Bowls with Pittsburgh and was the MVP of Super Bowl XL after his game-sealing touchdown reception....
