By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Former Pittsburgh Steeler and long-time Atlanta resident Hines Ward has landed a new in-town job at HLN as a sports analyst and "Morning Express With Robin Meade."
He will also work across all CNN platforms if a big breaking sports story happens.
The Super Bowl MVP will begin his job July 1, joining Meade, meteorologist Bob Van Dillen and business correspondent Jennifer Westhoven. He replaces Brian McFayden , who left in December after 20 months on the job. After retiring from the NFL in 2012 after 14 years, he worked as a television analyst for NBC's Sunday prime-time NFL show "Football Night in America."
In a press release, Hines said he wanted to expand beyond just football.
"I’m incredibly grateful to HLN and CNN for welcoming me to their prestigious team,” said Ward. “Throughout my career, I’ve always envisioned myself as more than just a football player and this platform will allow me to express myself in different and unique ways. I’m excited to be able to share my journey and my stories with our audiences, both in the US and worldwide.”
The two-time Super Bowl champ and UGA grad also won "Dancing With the Stars" in 2011 and runs a non-profit Helping Hands Foundation domestically and in South Korea. (He is half Korean.)
***
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Westlake High School grad and Carolina Panther quarterback Cam Newton has landed a new reality show on Nickelodeon where kids are paired with mentors to help achieve their dreams.
Called "All in with Cam Newton," the show debuts next Friday, June 3 at 8 p.m. for 20 episodes. Kids will be mentored in fields such as gymnastics, animation, basketball and even government. Newton will host and provide support for each child.
Mentors include three-time Olympian gymnast Dominque Dawes, master magician David Copperfield and "Project Runway" design guru Tim Gunn .
Despite Newton's ties to Atlanta, his success with a rival NFL team makes him a bit divisive locally. An effort to name a street after the Heisman Trophy winner in South Fulton faltered a few years ago.
About the Author
