Hines Ward has right tools for Craftsman

2012-03-30 02:09:50
  • Kym Johnson and Hines Ward celebrate their victory on "Dancing With the Stars."
    Adam Taylor/ABC
    Kym Johnson and Hines Ward celebrate their victory on "Dancing With the Stars."

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By Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

From Super Bowl MVP to TV ballroom dance champ and now Craftsman spokesman and honorary Goodwill Ambassador -- Hines Ward's time off from football as the NFL lockout continues has been anything but downtime.

Since winning season 12 of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" in May with professional dance partner Kym Johnson, the Steelers wide receiver has garnered attention for more than just catching passes.

The reality show "definitely created some more fanfare," he said. "I thought I was known in football world, but now I'm being recognized by females all over."

His athlete-to-Astaire transformation not only surprised his family ("They were shocked," he said) but also piqued the interest of Craftsman, which approached Mr. Ward shortly after he took home the Mirror Ball trophy to promote its new interactive online series "SCREW• D: Where Survival Comes Down to the Right Tools."

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Excerpts of an interview with Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward.

The series, which will run from mid-August to late October, follows novice handymen and women as they compete in do-it-yourself projects for the chance to win up to $50,000. People can learn more about the series or sign up through July 7 for a chance to participate at www.craftsmanscrewd.com.

"The promotion is similar to 'DWTS,' " he said. "Taking a guy like myself who's never danced a day in his life to going all the way and winning the Mirror Ball trophy. ... I want to just help people go out there and let them know if I can go out there and dance, that they can go out there and win this competition."

He will have another chance to inspire because he was recently named an honorary Goodwill Ambassador to the Republic of Korea. Mr. Ward, who was born in South Korea, will help bridge ties between the country and the United States. The task goes hand in hand with his Helping Hands Foundation, which brings biracial children from Korea to the United States to experience Pittsburgh, a football game or a trip to New York City.

Sara Bauknecht: sbauknecht@post-gazette.com .
First Published June 24, 2011 12:00 am
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