RK Steelers legend Hines Ward has sold his final game-worn jersey — the one he kept framed for over a decade — to raise money for a former teammate battling Parkinson’s disease.

Pittsburgh, PA – November 1, 2025

In a city built on grit and loyalty, one of the Steelers’ greatest sons has reminded fans what the black and gold truly stand for. Legendary wide receiver

Hines Ward, the Super Bowl XL MVP known for his toughness and trademark smile, has auctioned off the game-worn jersey from his final season to support his former teammate

James Harrison, who is now fighting Parkinson’s disease.

For Steelers Nation, Ward’s name carries a special weight. From 1998 to 2011, he embodied the spirit of Pittsburgh — fearless, relentless, and loyal to the end. A four-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion, Ward was known for his

“pit bull” style: a wide receiver who hit like a linebacker, blocked like an offensive lineman, and never backed down.

💬 “We went to war together — bruises, blood, and championships,”

Ward said quietly. “Now he’s facing a battle none of us can block for, but I want this jersey to fight for him — the same way we fought for the black and gold.”

Harrison, one of the most dominant defenders in franchise history, built his legacy the hard way. Undrafted in 2002, cut multiple times, and doubted by nearly everyone, he clawed his way into greatness. By 2008, he had become the

NFL Defensive Player of the Year, recording 16 sacks and delivering one of the most iconic moments in Super Bowl history — the 100-yard interception return in Super Bowl XLIII.

But now, at 47, Harrison faces a different kind of opponent. Diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s, he’s been open about the physical toll his career took — the repeated hits, the pain, and the adjustment to life after football. Friends and teammates say his condition has progressed but that his willpower remains unbroken, just like it was on the field.

Ward’s decision to part with his final jersey isn’t about fame or nostalgia — it’s about brotherhood. The proceeds from the auction will go directly to the Steelers Alumni Health Fund

Buy vitamins and supplements

, assisting with Harrison’s treatment and contributing to research on neurological diseases among former NFL players.

💬 “This jersey once carried the pride of Pittsburgh,” Ward reflected. “If it can now carry strength for a teammate who gave everything for this city, then it’s still doing its job.”

For fans, it’s a story that feels unmistakably Steelers: two warriors bound by respect, toughness, and love for a city that never forgets its own.

In Pittsburgh, brotherhood is built to last — and it never fades.