Hines Ward, who played 14 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, was hired by NBC Sports Group Thursday as an NFL and college football analyst. (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Hines Ward, the former wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was hired Thursday by NBC Sports Group to be an analyst for NFL, college football and studio programming, according to a report from Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com.

Florio said that Hines will be a contributor to Football Night in America as well as an analyst for NBC’s college football studio programming and occasionally appearing on NBC Sports Network.

According to the report, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network executive producer Sam Flood said that Hines brings a lot to the table, but viewers shouldn’t expect the former Dancing with the Stars winner to dance:

“We think Hines is a perfect match for television because he brings with him a unique combination of charisma and football experience, which he demonstrated on our Super Bowl pre-game show from Indianapolis,” NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network executive producer Sam Flood said.  “He’s an opinionated personality who can draw upon his 14 years of experience, having excelled at the highest levels of the game.  Just don’t expect him to dance.”

In addition to his dancing accolades, Hines is a veteran of the NFL, having played 14-years highlighted by two Super Bowl championships and four Pro-Bowl selections.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will hold a press conference today with Hines Ward, according to ProFootballTalk.

The Steelers had released their all-time receiver earlier this month, it is believed that this conference may be held for the purpose of announcing Ward’s retirement. Shortly following his release, Ward indicated that he would like to play in 2012, but until now he has not signed with a team.

Ward earned $4 million in 2011 but prior to being released he said he would restructure the two years remaining on his deal with Pittsburgh in order to remain with the team.  He finished the season with 46 receptions for 381 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games for Pittsburgh.

Over the course of his career Ward caught 1000 passes for 12,083 yards and 85 touchdowns. He spent his entire career with Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward’s  DUI charges from last summer has been dropped, although he did plead guilty to reckless driving Wednesday morning, according to Pittsburgh Live.

Ward also pleaded no contests to the charge of failing to maintain his lane, which was part of a plea agreement in which the county’s solicitor’s office dropped the DUI charge.

In total, the Steelers’ receiver was sentenced to serve 12 months probation, 80 hours of community service and a $2,000 fine.  Last July, Ward was also arrested after failing a field sobriety test and refusing to take a Breathalyzer test.

Over the course of his career Ward has totaled 1000 receptions, 12,083 yards, and 85 touchdowns.  In 2011, he had 46 receptions, 381 yards, and only two touchdowns.

Pittsburgh Steelers veteran wide receiver Hines Ward says he is willing to take a pay cut to stay on the team which he has played for his entire career, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“I’d probably have to restructure my contract,” Ward said of the pay cut. “That’s fine with me. I recognize that. I’m telling you I want to be here, I’m telling you I’m willing to do that. And I understand the ramifications — we have the cap number and stuff, but I want to be here.”

Despite earlier rumors that the 35-year-old would retire, Ward is reportedly determined that he can still play at a high level.   Ideally, he would like to remain a Steeler, but if the club is unable to keep him on the roster, he says he is confident that he can still play football.

Ward earned $4 million in 2011 but will restructure the two years remaining on his deal in order to remain with the team.  He finished the season with 46 receptions for 381 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games for Pittsburgh.

Sources have told CBS Sports that the belief among Pittsburgh Steelers teammates is that wide receiver Hines Ward is expected to announce his retirement soon.

Ward, 35, finished the season with 46 receptions for 381 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 2011 marked the first time that the Pro Bowl receiver lost his spot as an everyday starter for the squad.

If Ward’s career is over, he finishes it with 1000 career receptions for 12083 yards and 85 touchdowns. Over the course of 15 seasons, all with Pittsburgh, Ward was named to four Pro Bowls, and earned Super Bowl MVP honors in 2005. His best season came in 2002 when he hauled in 112 receptions for 1329 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The Steelers’ season came to a close last night when they lost in overtime to the Denver Broncos in the opening round of the NFL playoffs.

Members of the Pittsburgh Steelers, most notably Pro Bowl wide receiver Hines Ward, make an appearance in the trailer for the long awaited Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises.

Ward can be seen running the football at the 1:24 mark in the video below:

According to NBC’s ProFootballTalk, several members of the Steelers, including former coach Bill Cowher, portray the Gotham City Rogues in the film. Pittsburgh fans will also recognize the stadium in the trailer as the Steeler’s own Heinz Field.

Ward, 35, has 37 receptions this season for two touchdowns. The former Pro-Bowler has 991 career receptions in 14 seasons with the Steelers.