'Dancing With The Stars' Winner: Hines Ward, Kym Johnson Win Season 12 Mirror Ball Trophy

LOS ANGELES — It's become a proud athletic tradition: Winning "Dancing With the Stars."

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.

"I'm so impressed with you, the way you partnered with her through that routine," Inaba said. "The connection was beyond what we ask for in a dance routine."

Through misty eyes, Ward said, "I was just elated that she was out there dancing three days after that horrific injury that she just had."

The couple earned five perfect scores for their final six dances.

Besides Ward, the other athletic "Dancing" champs are NFL star Emmitt Smith, speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno, IndyCar driver Helio Castroneves, figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi and gymnast Shawn Johnson. Football stars Jason Taylor, Warren Sapp and Jerry Rice were runners-up on the show, as was Olympic skater Evan Lysacek.

Professional athletes actively use their bodies for their work, so they have the mental discipline and physical fitness to train and adapt to the challenges of competitive dancing. They're also more likely than other candidates to avoid over-training, said casting director Deena Katz.

The professional dancers on "Dancing With the Stars" are "world-class athletes," said "Sport Science" host John Brenkus, so it follows that their fellow professional athletes might be able to keep up.

But not all can. Legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard and pro wrestler Chris Jericho were dismissed from the show last month.

___

ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Co.

___

Online:

http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars

___

Sandy Cohen can be reached at http://twitter.com/APSandy

Comments

[Jaskoen]

12:49 PM on 05/26/2011

Good job Hines, at least you won something this year! GO PACKERS!!!

[pennlady]

10:52 AM on 05/26/2011

Can't wait to see his end zone dance when he scores a touchdown!!

[Zachary Uram]

07:38 AM on 05/26/2011

So happy for Hines and Kym. I hope they are dating, there is amazing chemistry between them and they obviously adore each other. GO FOR IT!

[pennlady]

10:44 AM on 05/26/2011

They do make a great couple and I hope this freindship continues to blossom.

[molly29451]

03:19 AM on 05/26/2011

I think Chelsea and Mark were robbed. They were by far the best dancers. Hines has a kilowat smile, but even the judges said that Hines was not willing to try new things and had flat fleet - the Pittsburg fans won him the Mirror Ball.
Kirstie, I was surpised she lasted as along as she did. I admire her for trying this at her age. She did her very best but she should not have been one of the finalists.
Thought Ralph was an excellent dancer, but from Day One, the judges didn't take to him.
And I agree with another poster, Carrie Ann fawned over Hines and Romeo.
So, let's face it, this is just a reality show and the more famous will always win.

[Havana Thinks]

03:58 AM on 05/26/2011

Carrie Ann is just a mess. She is supposed to be engaged so I wonder if her fiance knows what is in store for him? She may be the female----Arnold, based on the way she oogles over men's bodies!

[pennlady]

10:51 AM on 05/26/2011

Ever stop to think the Pittsbugh fans think he tuned out to be a great dancer? I do agree with you Ralph is a very good dancer. I was sorry to see him go. However I think Chelseas parter lost this for her. He choreographed dances that he knew the judges would not look kindly on. And he always outdanced her instead of making her look good.

[Havana Thinks]

03:08 AM on 05/26/2011

Hines has always been gracious and soooooo personable. His dancing was a definite proof that he wanted to win and was in sync with his partner. As he said, he didn't want to let her down! That says so much about him. I hope his mother now gives him respect for his decision to do the show. She has to eat her words, now.

Congratulations, Hines, you deserved to win!

[cavegal]

09:52 PM on 05/25/2011

Well done Hines!!  He really is a great dancer!

[CTtransplant]

08:28 PM on 05/25/2011

Congratulations, Hines!  Well deserved!  Couldn't happen to a nicer person!

[conservicide]

07:44 PM on 05/25/2011

Kirstie Alley making it to the finals
beating out Chelsea and Ralph
makes DWTS and its judges and producers
lose all credibility.

People don't like to be bushtted.

[dessertsfirst]

08:18 PM on 05/25/2011

clearly, you are entitled to your opinion, which may not be shared by everyone out there.... just sayin'

[conservicide]

08:27 PM on 05/25/2011

Don't think there's much of a dispute from rational people

[molly29451]

03:21 AM on 05/26/2011

I agree with you totally. And found out thru posts that the Producers have input into who stays and goes - who will fare better for ratings. Hines and Kim just smiled like it was 'no biggie'.
Just wondered why the judges disliked Ralph so much - he was very smooth.

[Havana Thinks]

04:05 AM on 05/26/2011

Ralph was too whitebread!...there, I said it! They all recognized that fact, even his dance partner determined he needed a butt! But the judges ridiculed the butt and pointed out it was the "soul" that was lacking. I say soul because he did not have any!
His moves were too plastic.

Ralph needs to attend jazz and blues festivals. He needs to get out more and mingle with some minorities and learn how to groove.

[pennlady]

01:30 PM on 05/26/2011

They just smiled like it was no "biggie" ? What show were you watching? What did you want them to do jump up and down and tear their clothes off? And by the way I did think Ralph wad a good dancer and should not have been eliminated.

[littlebrowngirl]

07:41 PM on 05/25/2011

Chelsea's legs were terrible. From the waist up she was fine but her legs were too stiff. She did not have the fluid motions that make a dance great.

[ViviMarr Williams]

04:27 PM on 05/25/2011

Hines Ward danced better so I'm glad he won.
I was really cheering for Kirstie Alley...but no matter, she looks fabulous at 60!

[liberaldawg]

04:08 PM on 05/25/2011

When Hines was at the Univ. of Georgia, he started at quarterback, running back and wide receiver. He's one of the most talented and determined player's I've ever seen. I
think he can almost anything.

[GoDems2012]

03:30 PM on 05/25/2011

Congrats to the finalists. I didn't expect Kirstie to hit #2 spot. Wow she looks great. Take this experience and start a new life for yourself. 60+ ROCKS!

[gypsynomad]

05:07 PM on 05/25/2011

Excellent ...and fave.

[ghiaguy67]

02:37 PM on 05/25/2011

I was mildly surprised when Chelsea & Mark took third, then I kind of was rooting for Kirstie mainly because the judges, particularly Carrie Ann, fawned over Hines all season long. I think that for Kirstie she definitely has great footwork which is astounding for someone as bulky as she was and is. Chelsea is a great dancer and though I feel she really didn't get robbed she just didn't have the fan base, I am not sure if people or the judges noticed but Mark on their freestyle definitely outdanced Chelsea in the beginning though she did catch up, though the scores were not reflective of that. Still all in all the 3 finalists did deserve to be in the finals.

I think the best dance of the evening last night was actually Ralph & Karina . Too bad he got injured and the judges were hard on them in the semis. Was fun to watch this season though at times the judges got my ire up. Carrie Ann needs to judge and critique more fairly to all the contestants not just the ones for whom she is not fawning over. It seems this season the judges were kind of wishy-washy at times, perhaps the show has gotten so big that is how it goes now. Kudos to all the dancers both pros and contestants for their hardwork to keep going week after week.

[LiberalBuzz]

02:23 PM on 05/25/2011

They may have taken the trophy but in my not so humble opinion Kirstie was the real winner.

[bart4u]

01:31 PM on 05/25/2011

I watched the show a few times and Chelsea was the best of the bunch. The show is a popularity contest and not who is the best dancer.

[donia1970]

08:37 PM on 05/25/2011

..maybe, the "few" times you watched is the issue... Besides, look at American Idol - if tonight isn't a joke, I don't know what is....