Steelers WR Hines Ward won season 12 of ABC's "Dancing With The Stars" last night, joining sports personalities Emmitt Smith, Apolo Anton Ohno, Helio Castroneves, Kristi Yamguchi and Shawn Johnson as champion. Ward defeated actresses Kirstie Alley and Chelsea Kane in the finals. After he was announced the winner, a live shot was shown of a fan rally in Pittsburgh cheering on Ward with Terrible Towels and signs rooting for Ward. Ward: "We appreciate all the votes and everything and I hope I represented well for the city of Pittsburgh" ("DWTS," ABC, 5/24).
Ward and his dance partner, Kym Johnson, appeared via satellite with the mirror ball trophy on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" after winning the competition. Kimmel asked Ward, "Is this better than winning the Super Bowl?" Ward: "You know what, it's comparable." Kimmel: "No, it's not! Stop that!" Kimmel noted that in a promo for "DWTS" Ward said the final is his "Super Bowl." Kimmel: “If this is your Super Bowl, what does that make the Super Bowl?" Ward: "They made me say that” ("Jimmy Kimmel Live," ABC, 5/24).
