Basic Information
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Hines E. Ward Sr. |
Birth Date | June 27, 1954 |
Death Date | February 1, 2024 |
Place of Death | Monroe, Louisiana |
Known For | Father of NFL Player Hines Ward Jr. |
Occupation | Corrections Officer, Produce Clerk |
Marital Status | Separated from Kim Young-He |
Children | Hines Edward Ward Jr. |
Early Life and Background
Hines E. Ward Sr. came into the world on June 27, 1954, a time when post-war America pulsed with change. His early years remain largely uncharted, like shadows in a dimly lit stadium, but his path led him to service in the military, where he met Kim Young-He during a posting in South Korea. Their union, brief yet impactful, set the stage for a family story that would echo through sports history.
Short details emerge. Military service. Overseas encounter. Longer narratives reveal a man who returned stateside, settling in Georgia initially before relocating to Louisiana. By the 1970s, he fathered Hines Edward Ward Jr., born in Seoul on March 8, 1976, a child of cross-cultural roots. The marriage dissolved soon after, with Kim raising their son amid challenges, while Hines Sr. carved a life in Monroe, Louisiana, a quiet town where he blended into the community fabric.
Family Dynamics and Personal Relationships
At the core of Hines Ward Sr.’s story stands his son, Hines Edward Ward Jr., a beacon of athletic prowess who rose from humble beginnings to NFL stardom. Ward Jr., drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1998, amassed 1,000 receptions, 12,083 yards, and 85 touchdowns over a 14-year career, culminating in Super Bowl XL MVP honors in 2006. Their relationship, strained in youth due to separation, evolved into mutual respect, with Ward Jr. often crediting his parents’ influences in interviews.
Kim Young-He, Ward Jr.’s mother, emerges as a resilient figure. Born in Korea, she navigated single parenthood after the split, working multiple jobs to support her son in Forest Park, Georgia. Her sacrifices, like iron forged in fire, shaped Ward Jr.’s work ethic, a theme recurring in his biographical tales. Though details of her ongoing ties with Hines Sr. fade into privacy, she remains a pivotal anchor in the family narrative.
Extending the circle, Lindsey Georgalas-Ward entered as Ward Jr.’s wife, a partnership blending personal support with public life. Married in the 2010s, she accompanies him in coaching roles, from NFL assistant positions to head coach at Florida Atlantic University starting in 2024. Their union brought forth Jaden Ward, the grandchild who represents a new generation, often mentioned in family profiles as a source of joy amid Ward Jr.’s demanding career.
Questions linger about other connections. A name like Jumar Hines surfaces in athletic records—a college football player at Morgan State University from 2018 to 2021, hailing from Maryland—but no threads tie him directly to Hines Sr. The family tree, while rooted deeply, branches selectively in public view, preserving privacy like a guarded end zone.
Relationships painted Hines Sr. as a steadfast, if distant, presence. Ward Jr.’s upbringing stories highlight early absences, yet later reconciliations hint at mended fences. In Monroe, Hines Sr. lived modestly, his life a quiet counterpoint to his son’s spotlight.
Career Path and Daily Life
Hines Ward Sr.’s professional journey mirrored the grit of blue-collar America, far from the glamour of gridirons. In Monroe, Louisiana, he balanced dual roles: days as a corrections officer at a state prison, enforcing order in confined spaces, and nights as a produce clerk, stocking shelves with steady hands. These jobs, documented in family features from the 1990s, underscored a life of perseverance, supporting himself through labor that demanded resilience.
No grand achievements mark his resume—no awards, no public accolades—but his work ethic echoed in his son’s NFL tenacity. Corrections work, starting perhaps in the 1980s post-military, involved navigating high-stakes environments, a metaphor for life’s unyielding challenges. The produce role added layers, a nocturnal rhythm syncing with community needs.
Financially, details dissolve into obscurity. No estimates surface; his existence appeared grounded in modest means, without the wealth amassed by Ward Jr., whose career earnings topped $50 million. Hines Sr.’s stability came from consistent employment, a foundation that indirectly bolstered his son’s ascent. In retirement years, he remained in Monroe, his routine a testament to quiet endurance.
Later Years and Passing
The twilight of Hines Ward Sr.’s life unfolded in Monroe, Louisiana, a place he called home for decades. Born in the mid-1950s, he witnessed eras shift—from segregation’s fade to digital dawns—yet stayed rooted in locality. Health details stay private, but his passing on February 1, 2024, at age 69, marked a somber close, with funeral arrangements handled locally, drawing family and friends in remembrance.
Recent mentions tie back to his son. Ward Jr.’s 2023 Hall of Fame considerations and 2024 coaching hires occasionally nod to family origins, keeping Hines Sr.’s name alive in sports lore. Social footprints are faint; accounts under “Hines Ward” belong to the junior, filled with football highlights and family snapshots from Atlanta.
Obituary notes paint a simple farewell: visitation on February 10, 2024, burial following. No fanfare, just a life concluded amid loved ones. Ward Jr., now 49, carries the lineage forward, his broadcasts and coaching infused with paternal echoes.
Legacy Through Family Achievements
Though private, Hines Ward Sr.’s influence ripples through his son’s accomplishments. Ward Jr.’s foundation—blended heritage, early hardships—fueled a career spanning 1998 to 2011 with the Steelers, including two Super Bowl rings (2006, 2009). Post-retirement, he transitioned to coaching, serving as wide receivers coach for the New York Jets in 2021 before Florida Atlantic.
Grandson Jaden, born in the 2000s, embodies continuity, occasionally featured in family updates. Lindsey, as partner, supports this chain, her presence stabilizing amid relocations. The family’s narrative, like a long pass arcing through time, connects generations, with Hines Sr. as the originating throw.
No scandals mar the record; privacy prevails. Hines Sr.’s story, though understated, underscores themes of separation and reconciliation, a vivid undercurrent in Ward Jr.’s public persona.
FAQ
When was Hines Ward Sr. born?
Hines Ward Sr. was born on June 27, 1954, marking the start of a life that would later connect to sports fame through his son.
When did Hines Ward Sr. pass away?
Hines Ward Sr. died on February 1, 2024, in Monroe, Louisiana, at the age of 69, with funeral services held shortly after.
Who is Hines Ward Sr.’s son?
Hines Ward Sr.’s son is Hines Edward Ward Jr., a former NFL wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, known for his Super Bowl MVP award in 2006.
Who is the mother of Hines Ward Jr.?
Kim Young-He, a Korean native, is the mother of Hines Ward Jr., who raised him as a single parent after separating from Hines Sr.
Who is Hines Ward Jr.’s wife?
Lindsey Georgalas-Ward is married to Hines Ward Jr., supporting his career in coaching and broadcasting while raising their family.
Does Hines Ward Sr. have grandchildren?
Yes, Hines Ward Sr. has a grandchild named Jaden Ward, the son of Hines Ward Jr. and Lindsey Georgalas-Ward.
What was Hines Ward Sr.’s occupation?
Hines Ward Sr. worked as a corrections officer at a state prison during the day and as a produce clerk at night in Monroe, Louisiana.
No reliable connections link Jumar Hines, a college athlete, to Hines Ward Sr., despite public profiles existing for the name.
Where did Hines Ward Sr. live?
Hines Ward Sr. resided in Monroe, Louisiana, for much of his life, where he worked and passed away in 2024.
What is known about Hines Ward Sr.’s financial status?
Little public information exists on Hines Ward Sr.’s finances, portraying him as a private individual with a modest lifestyle supported by local employment.