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Steelers' Ward fined for 'heinous' late hit on Browns' Holly

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
(Archive)

Updated: September 15, 2007, 7:10 PM ET

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Cleveland Browns cornerback Daven Holly took offense to the late hit laid on him by Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward in last week's season opener.

The league agreed, and took $5,000 out of Ward's paycheck.

Long regarded as one of the NFL's best and most physical blockers at the wide receiver position, Ward has been fined $5,000 for unnecessary roughness for a play that Holly termed "a heinous act," and one that left the third-year cornerback with a concussion.

It is not known if Ward, a 10-year veteran and one of the most respected players in the league, will appeal the fine.

Ward called the play "a clean hit that just came a little late."

The play in question came with 3:18 remaining in the third quarter, and Pittsburgh leading 24-7 in what would be a 34-7 victory. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed a 17-yard pass to tailback Najeh Davenport and Ward, blocking downfield, hit Holly from behind.

Ward was assessed a 15-yard personal foul for a hit that knocked Holly unconscious for a short time. Holly subsequently got to his feet and left the field with some assistance. The Steelers then scored on the ensuing play, on Roethlisberger's 22-yard pass to tight end Heath Miller.

"I don't feel like it was a respectable shot," Holly told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer this week.

The cornerback missed one day of practice, by Friday seemed to be fine, and is expected to play in Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

In another incident, the league has fined Buffalo defensive end Chris Kelsay $5,000 for a hit on Denver quarterback Jay Cutler last week. The hit, which appeared to be helmet-to-helmet contact, did not draw a flag.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

it really pissed me off that he did that...

Hines Ward is the ONE UGA alum that I really don't care for...

i wonder why?? lol

Ward called the play "a clean hit that just came a little late."

Just a little late? and that makes it allright for him...lol

Have we forgotten that he did the same thing to Earl Little a few years ago. Earl was never the same after that concussion. Ward in his most sportsmanly way did a nice little dance after that hit. He's a thug. Great ball player but a thug. Get Him!!!!!!!!!!!

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Ward called the play "a clean hit that just came a little late."

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Is that anything like a little fracture to the neckbone

Yeah, It was late, I don't think it was intentional, so yes, and fine is what's in order..nothing more. But that's JMO

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Steelers' Ward fined for 'heinous' late hit on Browns' Holly

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The league agreed, and took $5,000 out of Ward's paycheck.

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5k from a guy making millions does not equate to heinous...jmho

I expect more poise from a veteran like him. The league should have nailed him for $25K not $5K.

Boy what would of happined if this was Kellen Winslow taking this hit? Or even Bodden. I wonder if they would be talking the same way Holly is....

Ward is seen around the leauge as a star / class act Wr for the steelers. The media couldn't get enough of him a few years ago when the Steelers won the superbowl. Ever since then i have been sick of him.

He'll probably start crying though...

I wish I could find the quote from Ward regarding this fine where he said "if I wanted to hurt him, I could have." I want to say it was in USA Today, but I can't recall for sure.

Although I hate to say it but I would imagine if he keeps it up there will be some head hunters after him in the league before long. A dirty hit is a dirty hit and they should have hit his pocketbook a little harder. What is Pools fine going to be and it WAS an accident!

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Ward is seen around the leauge as a star / class act Wr for the steelers.

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I don't believe for a minute that Ward is a dirty player as some others have claimed. He is a class act and doesn't need to resort to dirty play to win his match ups.

He came in late. I saw it as an honest mistake. Of course, the player who suffered a concussion from it is likely to see it differently. Holly's probably watched the tape and is convinced that Ward could have pulled up.

Maybe it'll be something for Holly to rally around in the next meeting.

DDUBIA...

you're right on...it amazes me that people can be such blind homers...the same people calling Hines dirty are people excusing Pool for his helmet to helmet...both unintentional, but both deserving reprimand...end of story...

actually, anytime i think about this sort of late hitting, i wonder how it doesn't happen more often...the game is played at such a high speed, and guys are so focused on doing their job, how they're able to hear and react to each whistle is beyond me...

same goes for refs...they take tons of heat, but to be able to make so many astute calls all across the field, as fast as these guys play, is just plain impressive...

it was obvious that his hit was LATE!!! There was no point in Ward hitting him at ALL!!!

True, no point. But it's not so easy to pull up as we think it is from our vantage point on the sofa. The post above yours says it all.

Hines Ward is a creep that has been asking for it for a long time. He will disable you if you stand around the play. Watch the next Steeler game. He is especially vicous in Browns games. C Johnson got knocked out by Russell on a pass Ward should remember that...too bad we traded Russell.

I don't believe these guys can't control themself they can do just about anything they want stopping after the wistle is nothing. Late hits are mostly intentional retribution. Ward will get the same treatment sooner or later.