NBC Hires Ward, With Numerous Roles in Mind Hines Ward evidently made a strong impression as a guest analyst on NBC's Super Bowl pregame show. On Thursday, the NBC Sports Group hired Ward, the former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver, for a three-job portfolio. The Steelers released him in late February after a 14-year career that included 1,000 receptions. "You see a guy you want to listen to," said Sam Flood, the executive producer of NBC Sports and NBCSN. We know what we're getting with him. He's got a lot of skills. And the reps will help him. Flood said that after Ward's Super Bowl work, he did not have to audition any further. He will be an analyst on "Football Night in America," which precedes "Sunday Night Football" on NBC. Sometimes he will be in the studio with Dan Patrick, Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison and Peter King, and sometimes at the location of the night's game, with Bob Costas, Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth. "Opening Sunday, it makes sense to have him in Denver for the Steelers-Broncos, and in Week 3 in Baltimore for New England-Baltimore," Flood said. He added that it will also be intriguing to have Ward in the studio with Harrison, a former safety, to break down the receiver-defensive back matchup. Ward will also work on NBC and NBCSN's college football studio show, alongside Doug Flutie and Liam McHugh. Finally, he will appear Mondays and Fridays on NBC Sports Talk, also on NBCSN. "Hines is an interesting guy who played at the highest level," Flood said. "And people recognize him from "Dancing with the Stars."" Ward and Kym Johnson were the champions of that reality show in spring 2011.