The competition keeps getting stiffer, but just as he did when he was a player, Hines Ward keeps running to it, not away from it.

For the 10th consecutive year, the Steelers’ all-time receiving leader is one of 26 semifinalists in the modern-era player category for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

Among the other 25 players, only former St. Louis Rams receiver Torry Holt has been a semifinalist more times (12) than Ward, who finished his career with 1,000 receptions and 85 touchdowns.

Ward is the only former Steelers player to advance to the semifinal stage from the previous list of 52 candidates. Linebacker James Harrison and center Maurkice Pouncey did not advance.

Ward’s chances of becoming the third Steelers receiver in the Hall of Fame are made more difficult this year

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