Proud mother of Super Bowl MVP says she taught humility
ATLANTA, Feb. 8 (Yonhap) -- Kim Young-hee, proud mother of 2006 Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward, said she hadn't dared dream of such an honor for her son.


Kim Young-hee

In an interview with Yonhap News Agency over two days, Kim was spare with words but still could not hide her pride in her son.

"I raised him strictly. I sometimes spanked him," she said, "not that he did anything to be scolded. But I was intentionally strict with him."
Ward, born to a Korean mother and African-American father, won the Most Valuable Player award at Super Bowl XL, his Pittsburgh Steelers beating the Seattle Seahawks 20-10.

He racked up five catches for 123 yards and a touchdown in the game. He also gained 18 yards on the ground on a reverse.

"The MVP award was really unexpected. I didn't know things would come this far," she said.

Too jittery to watch the game, she stayed at home in Atlanta. As the entire city of Pittsburgh was celebrating Monday, she went through her day like any other -- going to her US$600-a-month job at a nearby high school cafeteria.

She doesn't remember working less than 16 hours a day, holding down three jobs, to make ends meet.

"Things became fussy from long time ago. American television stations and newspapers call me, come to me, ever since Ward went pro," said Kim.

Her son's first gifts to her were a large home and a silver Mercedes Benz. She put the home up for sale and moved into the smaller one she has now.

"It was too big. Now I am closer to the school. I feel more comfortable here than in that big house," said Kim.

But the car she kept. She makes sure it's tucked inside her garage when at home and at the safest spot in the school parking lot when working. In a neighborhood where a Mercedes Benz is not a common sight, she is known as the "cafeteria woman in the Mercedes."
Hines also gave her "Happy," a dog he bought to keep her company when he left home to play football seven years ago.



"I always taught him to be humble," she said. "There are always ups and downs in life. You have to be careful when you are going uphill."
But why worry about the downs when her son is just blooming?
"Aigo," she said, using a Korean expletiv+e that roughly translates in this case to "Are you kidding?"
"Why wouldn't there be downs?"
(END)

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VERY GOOD STORY!!!

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DAN BURESS

A very good, Korean mother.

lately, our country's public broadcasting is every day report for him.
because he is the superbowl MVP and his mom is Korean, Also he is a child of mixed blood.
But he tried to retire from superbowl before one year. He was not take attention from superbowl because he is a child of mixed blood.
his a friends was helped him more than his mother.
Do you know this fact ?
His a friends prevent his retirement. because they was nervous about his long time superbowl life.

I do not want to appear too critical; however, I am not sure of the reasoning behind Korea building Heinz Ward up to a hero. The reason I do not want to sound too critical is bc it is not only Korean society that has perceived interracial marriages as taboo it occurs in many societies even today.

It would be great if society would accept people for their character not their origins be that racial, religious, or ethnicity.

I believe you make the statement about he owes more to his teammates then his mother is wrong. I will attribute this to your age.

I have watched Heinz Ward for the past 7 of his 8 seasons of playing in the NFL. Although he is not ranked among the leading Receivers in the NFL he is one of the most clutch players of the game today. He is consistent and does not boast or have his name in the sports headlines on Monday morning. He plays every game with exuberance and team dedication. I am not sure how many games he has missed over the years; however, I would definitely say the owners got their return on investment, a hundred fold. He also was tied for 2nd with the most touchdowns regular season this year.

These accomplishments I would attribute to his mother’s instilling in him at a very early age the work ethics. A woman who worked 3 jobs, 16 hours a day, to ensure she was able to raise her son to be the man he is today. His teammates contribute to his camaraderie and team spirit motivation; the rest comes from the home environment.

I am sure publishers are lined up to publish a book on his biography. I believe the theme will be how he overcame adversity to be where he is today. His Mother will be the unsung hero of the story.

His visit to Korea will hopefully make a huge difference not just for the Amerasian kids in Korea; however those all over the world. He has forgiven Korea on the attitudes that permeate the society. Why? Because that is the type of individual he is, football is something that he does, and does, very well.

Ok... You're right ! I agree with you.

Hiker
but I think very great racial discrimination country is America.
is not right ?
I belive in God, but sometimes I am very confused.
Why important ? such as white man, the yellow race, a black, mixed blood.
Why we are can't love each other ?
Why we have to find fault with each other ?
Do you know this ?

My Reverend always say to me, "we have to love everybody!"
but I already know that It's impossible.
So, I very painful.

It can be challenging at times. We hear every day that everyone is created equal and we should not judge people by the color of their skill, religion, race, etc., but then we also have to see people showing how proud they are because this guy was "half Korean" or "half black." Which is it? Are we going to promote great deeds and their race or are we going to judge people by the deed?

I have always been raised and live by the creed that people should be judged by their actions and not by anything else. I have always thought the best workers were those that worked hard regardless of any other attribute.

Personally, I don't think people should be promoting "Tiger Woods is great because he is black" or "Michelle Wie is doing great and I am proud she is Hawaiian and Korean." Honestly, none of my friends say "Mike does a great job running a forum and I am proud he is white."

People like Martin Luther King and other great civil rights leaders fought so we can all be equal. But it seems day in and day out I have to hear race and accomplishments in the same breath.

Today, children of all colors idolize black, Chinese, and other athletes because of their ability in a particular sport. That is what Martin Luther King's vision was all about. A seven year old boy knows that Yao Ming is an awesome basket ball player, but eventually learns from the media and others that he is a great Chinese basketball player.

Our children will only become color blind when we stop promoting the colors.

Mike

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Thanks....Mike...
[Our children will only become color blind when we stop promoting the colors.]
Our a great God, perhaps He will want it !
Also, It's my Utopia !.