Former Super Bowl MVP and University of Georgia star Hines Ward will deliver the keynote address at the Savannah Morning News and savannahnow.com 2014 Best of Preps banquet, presented by the Georgia Ports Authority.
Ward is a two-time Super Bowl Champion, claiming MVP honors in Super Bowl XL. A four-time Pro Bowler, he is the Pittsburgh Steelers’ all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. On New Year’s Day 2012, Hines became only the 8th player in NFL history to reach 1,000 career receptions on what would be his last catch ever in the league.
A native of Forest Park, he was recruited to play quarterback for the home-state Georgia Bulldogs. At UGA, Ward was successful as a multi-position player, where he earned All-SEC honors and finished his college career as Georgia's second all-time receiver with 144 receptions. His 3,870 total yards rank second in Bulldogs history to Herschel Walker.
Off the field, Hines Ward has been equally impressive. He was named the "Walter Payton Man of the Year" in 2008, founded the Helping Hands Foundation, and created an after school education program for kids. He has appeared on the covers of Newsweek, Time, Esquire, Sports Illustrated, and was named one of GQ's 2009 "Men of the Year." In addition to his philanthropic work, Hines and his partner, Kym Johnson, won ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" in season 12.
“We are excited to bring an athlete of Hines Ward’s caliber to Savannah for the Best of Preps banquet,” said Michael Traynor, publisher of the Savannah Morning News and savannahnow.com. “Recognizing the outstanding athletes in our high schools is a job we are proud to do, and to have someone with Hines’ record of athletic and philanthropic accomplishments speak at this banquet is a great honor.”
The Best of Preps Banquet honors the top players in each sport at area high schools. The banquet will be held on May 21, at 6:30 p.m., at the Westin Savannah Harbor. Tickets go on sale March 3.
The Savannah Morning News is owned by Morris Publishing Group, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Morris Communications Company, LLC. The Savannah Morning News publishes five weekly newspapers, numerous monthly publications for the Savannah area and digitally publishes at savannahnow.com.