To those who say, "He signed the deal; he needs to play out his contract," Ward has surpassed that deal. Four years and three 1,000 yard seasons ago, Ward was a young aspiring back-up. Since then, he has been to three straight pro bowls (something no other Steelers wide-out has ever done). And, he has surpassed the 85 reception mark three times...with 85 being the old team record. In other words, Ward has played better than Swann and Stallworth ever did, and yet is expected to be paid like Will Blackwell.
Some fans have asked the rhetorical question: "How much money is enough?" Well, considering that the NFL is a billion dollar business, and that the owners are basically giving pennies on the dollar to the players, I would say an extra few million for the greatest wide-receiver in Steelers history is more than reasonable.
And, as far as "the richest contract in Steelers history" goes, Kordell Stewart received that deal six years ago. In the interim, the salary cap and the price of living have both gone up considerably...the price of gas has more than doubled in that time. Again, what the Steelers offered Ward was indeed a fair opening bid...but, not "top five" money.
The common man can not relate to these millionaire pro athletes. Hence, Ward asking for an extra million dollars in signing bonus comes off as greedy, prompting the Average Joe to use phrases such as "prima-donna" and "out of touch with reality." But, at the same time, these millionaire pro athletes can not relate to these billionaire owners.
In other words, a million dollars is a lifetime of work for most of us; it is a year's salary for the average NFL player; and, it is pocket change for an NFL owner. There is no common ground between these three groups, making it difficult for them to understand the "other person's side." Thus, asking for an extra million dollars appears greedy to one person, prudent to another person, and "simply business" to a third person...making the ability to empathize, let alone negotiate, with another group difficult at best. We (common folk) see the millionaires as greedy...just as the millionaires see the billionaires as being greedy. So, before people throw stones at Ward, they need to ask themselves if they have ever asked their boss for a raise. Of course, not many of us have ever asked for a million dollar raise, but we also do not have "that" type of job. Yet, I am sure that us asking for a thousand dollar raise seems "greedy" to a sweat-shop worker in a third world country. Again, it is all about perspective. Speaking of perspectives, the problem with the Ward situation is everyone is trying to pass blame instead of doing what needs to be done: sign Ward to a "top five" deal. The problem is that everyone involved in this is angry and resentful of someone else. The Steelers blame Ward. Ward blames the Steelers. When realistically, neither side is devoid of guilt. Everyone should do the mature thing: let their animosities go...so that they can get back to negotiating a deal for Ward. But, since the Rooneys will not, and should not, negotiate with a player who is holding out, Ward needs to report to camp. Plain and simple. Ward has made his point...and, I am sure that the Rooneys will see to it that Ward will be paid like a "top five" player. Although, I am not going to bet my life savings on it.