Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward took home the mirror ball trophy on last night’s Dancing With The Stars finale. Ward was a fan favorite for his friendly, down-to-earth personality and smooth moves. Coming in second was Kirstie Alley, who transformed her body for the show, losing 38 inches but not quite achieving the size 4/6 dress she claimed to fit into. This season was a triumph for Alley, but it was Ward who was triumphant in the end, making him one of six professional athletes to be crowned the winner in the show’s 12 seasons. Coming in a strong third was Chelsea Kane.
When Hines Ward took home the mirrorball trophy on the hit show Tuesday, he joined its winningest group of alumni: Athletes. Professional athletes have taken the “Dancing” title six times in the past 12 seasons.
Since the show premiered stateside in 2005, three Olympians, two football stars and one race-car driver have been named “Dancing” champs. Three other NFL stars and an Olympic skater finished the popular show in second place.
Ward, a Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and former Super Bowl most valuable player, credits his professional dance partner, Kym Johnson, with their dance victory. He plans to keep his new mirrorball right next to his Super Bowl trophy.
“It’s special,” the 35-year-old said, glittery trophy in hand. “With football, it takes all 53 guys. With this mirrorball, it was just Kym and I together in the studio putting in the hours. I’m just glad I didn’t let her down.”
Ward consistently posted high scores throughout the 10-week competition, and judges praised his showmanship and dedication.
“We’ve had some great footballers on `Dancing With the Stars,’ but I don’t think any compare with Hines Ward,” head judge Len Goodman said during the season finale.
Ward was up against Kirstie Alley and Chelsea Kane for the season 12 title. The actresses finished second and third respectively.
His commitment was especially evident after Johnson suffered a serious neck injury during rehearsals two weeks ago. The couple triumphantly returned to the dance floor, earning perfect scores for their performance and drawing tears from Ward, Johnson and judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
[From AP via Huffington Post]
I’ve only seen a few episodes of this show, and every time I’ve been so impressed with both Hines’ skill on the dancefloor and just what a nice, charismatic guy he is. There’s something so infectious about his smile. I’m glad he won, especially after his partner Kym suffered a serious neck injury. It’s also nice to see Kirstie gaining back some of her mojo. I’ve never been a fan of Kristie’s and she can be a smug piece of work, but she’s worked hard for this and she deserves it.
Kirstie called her experience on DWTS “the most extraordinary adventure I’ve ever been on in my life,” (take that, Scientology!) and Hines thanked the fans and said he owes “it all to Kym.”
Yaaay Hines!!! Not only a great dancer, but a great guy, too. I hope Kirstie can keep the weight off but I think that might be difficult if she’s not dancing all day long.
I still liked Chelsea best. 🙁 Overall, I think this was the weakest season yet.
So happy Hines won….he’s great!!!
She lost so much weight, she looks excellent! And this show did wonders for her PR.
Also, LOVED Hines Ward so much.
I have to admit that I am not an avid watcher of DWTS. That may have something to do with the fact I was deployed quite often in past seasons. I watched last season more to antagonize my poor husband and drive my Mom batty with my “support” of Bristol. I watched this season from start to finish. I think it was the best yet. There were ones who were weak and they were weeded out rather quickly. After a while it became who messed up slightly that night. I was torn between rooting for Chelsea and Hines. I admire Kirstie for her attitude and how far she came. The personalities this season were some of the best. I hate to admit it but as long as I am stateside I am hooked on DWTS.
Happy Hines won, they really were the hottest couple and their chemistry was insync.
That friendly smile is why Steeler’s fans all love him!
Yea for Hines Ward! He’s adorable!
I’m glad Kirstie Alley didn’t win because she would have tied her Organic Liaisons Co. to her DWTS win.
Now with all the attention off her, she will quietly gain back the weight.
I don’t watch but I’m happy with the outcome: I read he was completely devastated when Kym was injured because he fell on her.
He seems like such a sweet guy! He’s adorable and I just want to hug him! (OMG, am I a grandma now or what?!) 😉
@ Jackson – I seem to recall reading, once upon a time, that Kirstie dances at home as her form of exercise – let’s hope she sticks with it!
I like Kirstie, I really do, but sometimes she’s her own worst enemy. And Xenu in your life? Just. NO.
I don’t watch and I know that Kirstie is a total crazypants, but I think it’s really terrific how well she did with this. When she was first announced no one took her seriously as a contender, because who think the “fat girl” can dance? BS. Good for her.
I wonder if Kirstie and Maks were getting it on during Dwts – they seem to have sparkling chemistry between them.
MightyMidget, I will out myself alongside you as an avid DWTS watcher. It’s just a fun show, and Tom Bergeron is hilarious. That neck injury was really scary. It’s truly remarkable that not only did Kym not suffer long-term effects, but she was out on the floor just a few days later and danced two perfect 10s. I felt sad for Maks not winning, and think Kirstie has been great this season. I had a hard time deciding who to root for among the final three. Chelsea is an amazing dancer.
MightyMidget – my sincere thanks to you and your fellow service men and women who put your lives on the line for the likes of people like me. Wishing you and your colleagues a very blessed Memorial Day weekend.
Is it just me or does Kirstie always seem likes she a bit lit? More like prescription pills rather than alcohol or a white powder drug.
Meh. Disappointing finals. Hines deserved to win and he was the only one worth watching out of the 3. Would have been better with Ralph and Romeo instead of Kirstie and Chelsea.
I hope Kirstie keeps working out since she has already has a head start with loosing weight from all the dancing.
Atticus, thanks that really means a lot especially in today’s world.
I felt for Kym and that clip where it went wrong and he fell on her made me sick to my stomach. I have three discs in my neck that need to be fused soon. I know the pain I deal/dealt with. She is one tough cookie.
I loved Hines and was so happy he won but I was also sort of sad for Maks not winning his 1st Mirrorball with Kirstie.
I am glad Hines won, he deserved that win and I am glad Kristie came in second. Although I like Chelsea, I just cannot stand Mark B.
Yay for Hines! Although Kirstie didn’t win I hope she still feels like a winner for doing this, going so far, doing so well AND losing weight while she was at it. Im proud of her but I hope this weight loss is a jump start to her living healthy and maintaining a healthy lifestyle once and for all.
Doesn’t the COS produce ‘Stepford Wife’ types? Do they not feel a responsibility to their image to monitor and help her with that? Why did they fail her in this area?
Poor Maks. I really thought he’d win this time.
Like Kirstie, am proud of her for the weight loss, she did a good job, etc., but she’s a ditz. And she and Maks did not deserve second place, maybe third. Love Hines…he so deserved this trophy…what a charmer. Loved watching him. And way to show LACK OF CLASS, Maks and Kirstie, by not congratulating the winner…lost so much respect for both of you. And that’s a first not to congratulate the winner on DWTS…you must be so proud of yourselves.
CONGRATULATIONS HINES AND KYM! I’m not into sports, and had never heard of Hines Ward prior to season 12 of DWTS. Several weeks into the competition I fell in love with him! He and Kym had the perfect partnership. The results of this show are based 50% on judges scores and 50% on viewer votes. Yes, Chelsea was the best dancer and Kirstie had an amazing fan base, but Hines was the best combination of the two.
I was pulling for Hines and Kym all the way! I just loved Hines enthusiasm and the way he seemed to get everyone involved with the way he danced it was contagious.He also took criticism from the judges and improved his performance every week so in the end the best pair won!
Want to add just one thing: Mark Ballas is an arrogant punk and cost Chelsea second place in this contest. Also, his short pants shtick was stupid. And while I’m at it–he is NOT a hunk and needs to leave his shirt ON.
The thing is will Kirstie keep the weight off once all the attention is gone, that her MO when she gets attention she able to keep the weight off but once it’s gone she gains it all back plus more. I think she’s depress or something and on the inside she needs attention from others to feel fulfilled; you would think her cult would fix that but then again a lot of scientologist seem unhappy and depress.
Ralph, Chelsea, and Romeo had more talent. IMO Hines is a great guy, though.
Love Kristie’s hair color without the black roots.
Kirstie looks beautiful and quite trim in that first pic.
I am still surprised at the look on Kirtstie’s face when Hines was pronounced the winner. I was even more amazed that neither she or Max congratulated Kim and Hines. I’ve never seen such poor sportsmanlike conduct on past seasons. How Kirstie came in second is a mystery.