Several recent social media posts have spread false news about former Pittsburgh Steelers WR Hines Ward being in a fatal car accident or being severely ill.
For instance, on September 21, 2025, Pkv Viv shared a blurred and provocative short video on Facebook and falsely claimed the former Pittsburgh Steelers legend had passed away due to a distracted driver causing an accident in Pittsburgh.
However, Ward, who is currently the wide receivers coach for Arizona State University, attended the September 20, 2025, game against Baylor at Mountain America Stadium.
His wife, Lindsey Georgalas-Ward, even shared an Instagram story a few hours ago showing the coach on the field walking and talking with players before the game.
Hines Ward Car Accident Claims Are Fake
Hines Ward is one of the most accomplished former football players. He has played as a wide receiver in the NFL after being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1998 draft.
The Seoul native spent his entire career with the team from 1998 to 2011. In addition, he became a two-time Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP.
After retiring, the University of Georgia alum began his coaching career in 2017. He served as an offensive intern with the Pittsburgh Steelers and, an offensive assistant with the New York Jets (2019–2020).
Similarly, a wide receivers coach at Florida Atlantic (2021), head coach of the San Antonio Brahmas (2023), and currently the wide receivers coach at Arizona State University since 2024.
With such a decorated career and high public profile, there is no way reputable media outlets would fail to report even minor updates about Hines Ward – let alone miss something as serious as a fatal car accident.
This proves that the circulating stories about Hines Ward being in a car crash are completely fake and baseless rumors.
This is not the first time Hines Ward has Been The Subject Of False Reports
On June 1, 2025, another Facebook post from Black and Gold Legend falsely reported that the former Pittsburgh Steelers star’s family had announced the heartbreaking condition of him and his wife.
Along with the pictures of Ward and his wife, daughter, and a wrecked car, they wrote;
"SAD NEWS : The family of former Pittsburgh Steelers star Hines Ward has just announced the heartbreaking condition of him and his wife following a car accident after a weekend trip."
- Black and Gold Legend on FacebookWhile many of the NFL fans were saddened and paid their tributes. However, some Facebook users and NFL fans quickly flagged the claim as fake.
A Facebook user, Veronica-Conrad Chacon, commented, “Whoever posts these false incidents should be fired & fined. Inconsiderate and irresponsible!”
Another person, Robin Renae Hamilton, added, “I sure as hell hope it’s not fact. Either way, why would someone fraud, LIE.”
Meanwhile, Michael Amic stated directly, “This is fake. Hines Ward wasn’t in an accident and did not die.”
However, this doesn’t mean the former athlete has never been involved in incidents or faced legal issues.
On July 9, 2011, Hines was arrested for DUI in Georgia. The charge was later reduced to reckless driving. He was sentenced to 12 months of probation, 80 hours of community service.
Also, the football coach was fined $2,000, and required to complete an alcohol evaluation and any recommended treatment. He also pleaded no contest to swerving out of his lane.
Similarly, in May 2011, Ward was handcuffed at gunpoint by Los Angeles police after he and a woman couldn’t find their car. They later found the car but didn’t tell the police.
When police spotted the same car, they stopped it. The woman explained that she was the one who reported the car stolen in the first place.
Ward and the woman cooperated and were released without arrest. Back then, Ward called it a misunderstanding and apologized to fans.
In Case You Don’t Know
- Hines Ward was born in Seoul, South Korea. His mother, Kim Young Hee, is Korean, and his father, Hines Ward Sr., is African-American.
- His family moved to Atlanta and Georgia, when Hines was only one year old.
- He is currently married to Lindsey Georgalas-Ward, and they share a four-year-old daughter.
