Winning “Dancing with the Stars” made life surreal for former Georgia Bulldogs star and Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward, 35. His Pittsburgh Steelers jersey is much more comfortable than any ballroom costume.
My Atlanta-based agent and manager, Andrew Ree, and I talked about preparing me for life after football, increasing my visibility and cross appeal. Footballers know me, but the show’s main audience — women ages 30 to 45 — really didn’t.
I had zero dance experience. I hadn’t even gone to my own high school prom because I was afraid to dance. Going into the show, I was motivated, in part, by fear. I didn’t want to embarrass myself or my teammates.
Playing three different positions for the Georgia Bulldogs helped me to a certain degree in that I had to learn as many as three different dances in any given week. My ability to focus and study my moves was really key.
As I stayed alive each week on the show, my old UGA teammates and friends contacted me. At first they teased me, but after they saw that I could actually do the dances, they were amazed. I was, too.
I liked the samba because I danced it for my mom during “personal dance” week, and my finale dance which had a football halftime theme. I wasn’t crazy about the rumba, trying to do a sexy dance during patriotic week.
My favorite costumes were probably the matador one I wore for the Paso Doble and the drum-line band leader one I worn on finale night. My partner and coach, Kym Johnson, knew I didn’t want to wear anything too crazy with lace or showing too much skin. I mean I had to still play football and face my teammates and opponents in the [NFL].
Kym was the reason I won. She did a great job choreographing the routines and getting me ready to dance. She really tried to showcase my strengths. We still text each other all the time, and she came to a recent charity event for my foundation. I’ll never forget when they called out our names on finale night.
The Mirror Ball Trophy represents conquering my fears. It’s right between my two Lombardi’s and my Super Bowl MVP trophy.
This NFL season, the funny thing is that everybody keeps asking me if I am gonna beef up my end zone dance now. I am working on that one.
I wouldn’t trade the DWTS experience for the world. When I walk through malls or in public, people say, “Hey, there’s that guy on Dancing with the Stars.” It’s surreal.
Reported by Michelle Hiskey
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