10 best Georgia alumni in NFL history

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 19: Former Denver Broncos running back and hall of fame inductee Terrell Davis stands on the field with his family during a ceremony to recognize the former player before a game between the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 19, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 19: Former Denver Broncos running back and hall of fame inductee Terrell Davis stands on the field with his family during a ceremony to recognize the former player before a game between the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 19, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – FEBRUARY 06: Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts against the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – FEBRUARY 06: Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts against the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

6.  Hines Ward

There are 14 players in NFL history with at least 1,000 career receptions. Seven of those men (Jerry Rice, Tony Gonzalez, Marvin Harrison, Cris Carter, Tim Brown, Terrell Owens and Isaac Bruce) are enshrined in Canton, Ohio. Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and tight end Jason Witten are not yet Hall of Fame eligible. The other five, including former Pittsburgh Steelers’ wideout Hines Ward, have been waiting for their turns.

Ward certainly knew his way not only to the end zone but the yard marker as well. There are plenty of instances of this determined player stretching and twisting his way to a first down. He was a complete football player, one of the numerous reasons the Steelers used a third-round pick in 1998 on the former Bulldog standout.

Perhaps his greatest attribute was his blocking prowess. He certainly made his presence felt when it came to opposing linebackers and defensive backs. The numbers are impressive. Ward finished with exactly 1,000 catches, good for 12,083 yards and 85 TD grabs.

In 18 postseason contests, he amassed 88 receptions for 1,181 yards and 10 scores. Ward was a two-time Super Bowl champion and the Most Valuable Player of Pittsburgh’s 21-10 win over the Seahawks (XL) at Detroit.