Hines Ward hung up the cleats in 2012, and now has a chance at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The former Georgia wide receiver was one of nine first-year nominees for the prestigious honor on Wednesday following a 14-year career in the NFL.

Ward spent his entire NFL tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers where he amassed 12,083 receiving yards and 86 total touchdowns. He won two Super Bowls, earned Super Bowl  XL MVP honors and played in five Pro Bowls.

All of that followed a four-year career in Athens (1994-97) where rushed for 1,066 yards and five touchdowns, collected 1,965 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, and passed for 918 yards and three touchdowns.

The Steelers selected Ward in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft.

The list of 94 nominees will be reduced to 25 semifinalists in November before the 15 finalists are revealed in January.

For a list of all Pro Football Hall of Fame nominees, CLICK HERE.