ST.Steelers Legend Hines Ward Sells Final Game-Worn Jersey to Support Teammate Battling Parkinson’s Disease

Pittsburgh, PA – November 1, 2025

In a city built on grit and loyalty, one of the Steelers’ greatest sons has reminded fans what the black and gold truly stand for. Legendary wide receiver

Hines Ward, the Super Bowl XL MVP known for his toughness and trademark smile, has auctioned off the game-worn jersey from his final season to support his former teammate 

James Harrison, who is now fighting Parkinson’s disease.

For Steelers Nation, Ward’s name carries a special weight. From 1998 to 2011, he embodied the spirit of Pittsburgh — fearless, relentless, and loyal to the end. A four-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion, Ward was known for his

“pit bull” style: a wide receiver who hit like a linebacker, blocked like an offensive lineman, and never backed down.

💬 “We went to war together — bruises, blood, and championships,”

Ward said quietly. “Now he’s facing a battle none of us can block for, but I want this jersey to fight for him — the same way we fought for the black and gold.”

Harrison, one of the most dominant defenders in franchise history, built his legacy the hard way. Undrafted in 2002, cut multiple times, and doubted by nearly everyone, he clawed his way into greatness. By 2008, he had become the

NFL Defensive Player of the Year, recording 16 sacks and delivering one of the most iconic moments in Super Bowl history — the 100-yard interception return in Super Bowl XLIII.

But now, at 47, Harrison faces a different kind of opponent. Diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s, he’s been open about the physical toll his career took — the repeated hits, the pain, and the adjustment to life after football. Friends and teammates say his condition has progressed but that his willpower remains unbroken, just like it was on the field.

Ward’s decision to part with his final jersey isn’t about fame or nostalgia — it’s about brotherhood. The proceeds from the auction will go directly to the Steelers Alumni Health Fund

, assisting with Harrison’s treatment and contributing to research on neurological diseases among former NFL players.

💬 “This jersey once carried the pride of Pittsburgh,” Ward reflected. “If it can now carry strength for a teammate who gave everything for this city, then it’s still doing its job.”

For fans, it’s a story that feels unmistakably Steelers: two warriors bound by respect, toughness, and love for a city that never forgets its own.

In Pittsburgh, brotherhood is built to last — and it never fades.

Buccaneers Rookie’s Heartbreaking Journey to the NFL: A Story of Resilience, Family, and Redemption

For many, the journey to the NFL is one of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. But for 

Buccaneers rookie, Liam Parker, his road to the NFL is defined by something far more powerful: family, resilience, and the strength to overcome a childhood marked by hardship and separation.

Parker, now a promising young star for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has already faced a journey few can truly understand. At just 10 years old, he was thrust into a world of uncertainty when his parents divorced. The separation fractured his childhood, with both of his parents moving on to build new families, leaving Parker to navigate his youth without the conventional family structure many take for granted.

What followed was a life that many might deem tragic, but for Parker, it was the foundation of his character. Raised by his grandparents, Parker found love, stability, and guidance. They provided him with a safe space to heal and grow, even as the absence of his biological parents loomed over his daily life. Despite the challenges, Parker has always remained

grateful for the support his grandparents offered, and it was their encouragement that helped him succeed both on and off the field.

“Growing up with my grandparents wasn’t easy, but it was full of love,” Parker shared. “They taught me the value of hard work, resilience, and kindness. I never really saw my parents after they divorced, but that didn’t matter. I had all I needed from my grandparents.”

Now, as Parker embarks on his NFL career, the very people who once left him have returned to congratulate him. His parents, who built new families and lived separate lives for years, have recently come back into his life to celebrate his success. In a touching moment, Parker received a heartfelt message from both parents after earning his first NFL paycheck.

“Getting that first paycheck was a huge milestone for me,” Parker explained. “But the moment that truly meant the most was when my parents reached out. It was like a full circle. They were there for me in a way I never expected.”

The emotional reunion is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of forgiveness. Despite the years of separation and heartache, Parker has allowed himself to heal and find peace. The love of his grandparents, coupled with the support of his parents as he begins his NFL journey, has become a symbol of how family—both the ones we’re born into and the ones we create—can shape our destiny.

For the Buccaneers, Parker is not only a player with immense potential on the field, but he represents something far greater—a story of triumph over adversity, a testament to resilience, and a reminder that success is not solely defined by where we come from, but by how we rise above the challenges we face.

As Parker prepares for his future in the NFL, he is not only fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a professional athlete. He is also proving that no matter the circumstances, it’s never too late to rewrite your story—and that family, in all its forms, is what truly makes us whole.