Hines Ward to Kona?

He already received a celeb spot for Kona 2013.

I think he still may need to complete an HIM though prior to that.

I'm a steelers fan yes, but I still think thats impressive.

I always liked him as a football player. I wish him the best. I'm sure he'll give it all he's got.

There are four athletes participating in the Chocolate Milk/Ironman challenge

It is.

He's riding a Trek SC 9.9 with DI2.  Black with yellow decals...very similar to Lance's bike.

it is, and he let steelers fans that follow him on facebook decide what color scheme.  Whatever you feel about him in football, his posts are kind of cool.  Its got to be hard for a big dude used to sprinting!  Oh, and he did 60 miles the other day in a not too shabby time. something like 18 mph average.

Yeah, he has been promoting this and his IM attempt all over the place.  Since the Superbowl at least.

I think he made the initial announcment during the Kona broadcast on NBC.  This was when they were still recruiting the other athletes to train with him, so I'm not sure when he/they actually started training with PNF.

Not to bad.

Any idea how he was picked?  From his times in the sprint he clearly doesn't have much background in s/b/r compared to his other athletic talents.

Celeb status.  He didn't have to qualify.  WTC is pulling the celebrity card in attempts to get more exposure for the sport\company.  They have always done it and he is not the first celebrity.  Some guy from The Biggest Loser, race car drivers and don't forget the yearly Chef Gordan Ramsay rumor.

You will see people cheering him on.  On the other side, people hating because he did not qualify.

He was already working as an analyst for NBC's Sunday Night Football.  Since NBC does the Kona broadcast, they tend to pick athletes with ties to NBC shows.  Like The Biggest Loser. 

When NBC and Chocolate Milk picked him, I'm sure they weren't looking for the best possible athlete to do an IM under 10 hours.  They were looking for the best possible athlete to bring exposure to the sport and to their product (Chocolate Milk).  Hines Ward is a very well known athlete among people who follow football and those who don't.  He won Dancing with the Stars, he won two Super Bowls, and was a Super Bowl MVP.  He also has a happy go lucky personality that many people can root for. 

In this month's Mens Journal, Gordon Ramsay is quoted that he is racing Kona this year. 

As far as Hines Ward goes, I think its great.

I would guess biking would be his strongest sport. Having a football background, his legs are probably very strong.

I was just curious.....don't care one way or another who competes at Kona or anywhere else....I agree, good for Ward.

Also curious, does Ward get paid by NBC to do the race?  Is he just traiing to finish or is there a finish time goal?

I will be watching live T1 and T2 videos seeing if Hines crack backs somebody at the line.

I think they just tell you to back track 15 yards.