Ravens Have a Bounty on Hines Ward?

Hines Ward found out on Tuesday that he won't be fined for his hit that ended Keith Rivers' season. He also found out that the Ravens have put a bounty on him when the two teams face off in December.

According to Pro Football Talk on the 2 Live Stews radio show, linebacker Terrell Suggs said that the Ravens have put a bounty on knocking out Ward. The bounty was on Ward for the team's first meeting earlier this year, but Ward made it through that game unscathed. Actually Bart Scott had told Ward he was going to kill him during that game in revenge for Ward's legal hit on Scott in 2007, but Ward put Scott on his butt again.

What will Ward's reaction be? Probably a laugh and a smile, since he's a master at avoiding the big hit.He's been one of the most hated wide receivers in the league for years, and he's had a bullseye on his jersey game after game. But even as he lays out defensive backs, linebackers and defensive ends, Ward manages to avoid defenders looking for his revenge. In his 11th year, he's only missed six games in his career, so it's not like teams have succeeded in getting too many good shots at him.

Ward has always managed to avoid the big hit while making plenty of big blocks. But since Suggs was nice enough to make the bounty public, he'll ensure that referees are well aware of any cheap shots at Ward in December. Having the bounty is one thing, but being dumb enough to announce it is sure to have the NFL watching Suggs and the Ravens defense closely.

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New San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary speaks during news conference at 49ers football headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008. Singletary takes over after Mike Nolan was fired on Monday, Oct. 20. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

New San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary listens to question during news conference at 49ers football headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008. Singletary takes over after Mike Nolan was fired on Monday, Oct. 20, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

New San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary, right, and 49ers general manager Scott McCloughan, left, shake hands during news conference at 49ers football headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008. Singletary takes over after Mike Nolan was fired on Monday, Oct. 20. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

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New San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary gestures during a news conference at the 49ers' football headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008. Singletary takes over after Mike Nolan was fired on Monday. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

New San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary gestures during news conference at a the team's football headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008. Singletary takes over after Mike Nolan was fired on Monday, Oct. 20, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)

10-21-2008 @ 8:06PM

wsa said...

The hits are legal. This is football not tennis. I would be more worried about my own quarterback considering Harrison, Woodley and Timmons are on the other side.

10-21-2008 @ 7:47PM

john said...

the only reason people hate Ward is because he is good and he plays the game the way it should be played, TOUGH. the people that are jealous are the same people that wish he was on there team.

10-21-2008 @ 7:41PM

Michael said...

Just because too many WR just want to run around downfield, why dont you wake up and realize what you're really seeing when watching Hines Ward play...A FIRST BALLOT HALL OF FAMER!

10-21-2008 @ 7:43PM

Thatsabsurd said...

Baltimore wayyyyyyyyyyvens can't play football worth a crap and have always had to resort to cheap bullcrap shots.

Can't handle the heat wayyyyyyyyyvens get the hell out of the league.

Even sporst illustrated compares lewis to a powder puff.

10-21-2008 @ 10:39PM

cantwejustallgetalong said...

I couldn't just sit here and say nothing back about the comment from "thatsabsurd" saying such a ridiculous thing about Ray Lewis. Wherever you read something bad about a great player, you'll also see something good somewhere else. As I have read in the other comments here about Hines Ward, Ray is the heart and soul of the Ravens and his integrity should not be questioned. His "Pro-bowler" record, dedication and love of the game proves it. We all have our favorites, why not "root" for them without trying to rip someone else's apart...

10-22-2008 @ 10:16AM

William Shuck said...

There's nothing new about this so-called "bounty", as the Ravens try to hurt somebody seriously on virtually every play. The strange
part of this is how they whine when one of their own gets knocked on his butt.

10-22-2008 @ 6:09AM

Sojourner said...

I'm really amazed by all of the anit-Ward sentiments lately. As a Steeler fan I'm surprised so many people out there view him so negatively and as a dirty player.

Among the fanbase he's one of the best loved players. Not because he's a "vicious player" at all, but rather as a guy with a lot of heart who isn't always concerned about if he's getting the ball or not. If he's not getting the ball he takes the role of blocking for the guy who does very seriously. He's more concerned about the team as a whole than himself. He blocks and he gets flack for it. The guy is the heart and soul of the Steelers. The man is just playing the game...not trying to take people out.

10-21-2008 @ 7:55PM

kingfish said...

You punk sissy! That's part of football. Could your uneducated self not read "legal hit". Hines is tougher than a $2 steak. Some people talk about what they are gonna do & some people do it. Guess which one Bart Scott's Ravens fall into & which one Hines Ward falls into.

10-22-2008 @ 9:34AM

sieben13 said...

your F.O.S legal yes necessary "NO" the play was by him, Ward does this consistently ,bonified CHEAP SHOT ARTIST

10-21-2008 @ 7:58PM

Jim said...

They get on Ward because he kicks butt. Lots of jealous people out there. Here is betting Ward lays out some punk Raven in that game.....legally.

10-22-2008 @ 2:28AM

whatever said...

dude seriously did u just say forfeit, whatever man... im speechless

10-21-2008 @ 7:49PM

nixjerry1976 said...

Isn't that the idea of football? To hit the other guy hard. Who cares if the ravens have some bounty on Ward. PLay the game like men and beat the crap out of each other. Boohoo a guy hit me hard, get over it.

10-21-2008 @ 8:16PM

Larry said...

You talk about being a sissy . I didn't hear anything from the steelers rookie running back when he got his shoulded broken by the ravens sissy boys . It you can't take a hit in the NFL go back to college and quit winning about the good hits that Ward gives. He Is the best blocker in the NFL so take that.

10-21-2008 @ 7:56PM

Tim C said...

I believe that with sucky Suggs placing a bounty on Ward he should be suspended by the NFL.
What kind of example is he teaching youth, oh wait a minute they have a man on the team that should be in prison for murder but that Ravens team is full of hooligans.
Whom ever takes out Ward in a cheap hit should be banned from the league for life!!!!
What a bunch of low lifes.

Wade said...

I don't think anyone will questions how hard Ward plays or if he's a team player. Those are accepted, but the question is whether his "blocks" are actually blocks or cheapshots. How many guys has he bowled over saw him coming? Does he search out the guys NOT looking for him?

10-21-2008 @ 8:05PM

MARK said...

I'M NOT A FAN OF EITHER TEAM BUT WHEN A TEAM PUTS A BOUNTY ON A PLAYER I THINK AS A TEAM THEY SHOULD BE FINED OR FORCED TO AUTOMATICALLY FORFIT THE GAME. THIS KIND OF VIOLENCE SHOULD NOT BE ENCOURAGED, LAST YEAR THE PACKERS PUT A BOUNTY ON ADRIAN PETERSON ON THE VIKINGS, HE GOT HURT AND HASN'T BEEN THE SAME SINCE.

Patrick said...

This is ridiculous. Just play football Ravens... Watch what happens if they cheap shot ward. You think Harrison or Farrior--Maybe Timmons, Woodley, Polamalu might have something else to say? Watch what kind of coach Tomlin is when you start this stupid Sh^t... I wouldn't mess with those boys in Black and Gold

10-21-2008 @ 8:15PM

ROB said...

Any player who announces to the league he is intentionally going to target taking out another player should be fined and suspended...not just for a game or two , but the rest of the season .. HInes Ward is the toughest wide out in the league. Just because he gives the defenders a hard hit instead of ducking out of the way like most receivers do..He is hitting people because thats his job and he does it very well and ... to the one comment about hitting people that are not looking... HELLO.. its FOOTBALL< you always have to be ready to get hit...and to the people that cant read.. the league said today that the hit on the Bengal player was LEGAL... NO FINE....All these people leaving negative comments just wish he played for thier team!! Leave your bad mouthing to idiots like the Ravens , Hines does his talking on the field, not in the press.

10-21-2008 @ 8:13PM

steelone said...

Hines Ward plays FOOTBALL that a rough sport. If ya dont like the hits dont play. Ravens better keep ya heads up, i hear footsteps

southcarolinasteeler said...

Hey anti-ward, how many "sissys" or "cowards" do you know that can lay a hit like that? Hines is the man!!!! the only sissy or coward i can think of is the little babies on here crying about hines knocking out a L.B!!