Superbowl XL MVP Hines Ward in South Korea

Superbowl XL MVP Hines Ward of the Pittsburgh Steelers Presents an Autographed "Terrible Towel" to Ambassador and Mrs. Alexander Vershbow

On April 6, 2006 Ambassador Alexander Vershbow and Mrs. Vershbow hosted a reception at the Residence in honor of Superbowl XL MVP Hines Ward of the Pittsburgh Steelers. In cooperation with co-host Lee International IP & Law Group, the Ambassador hosted this reception to welcome to Korea an American hero and to help promote among Koreans the importance of allowing each citizen the opportunity to achieve greatness, regardless of place of origin, race, religion, or creed. Ambassador Vershbow kicked off the reception by commending Mr. Ward for the adversity he had overcome as a younger man, both on and off the football field. Mr. Ward, gracious and courteous despite unending requests for photographs and autographs, thanked the more than 180 guests for the support and encouragement he had received throughout his stay in Korea. Mr. Ward's promise to start a foundation in order to help mixed-race children overcome hardships in their daily lives was warmly received.

Upwards of 180 people attended the reception, including Mr. Ward's mother, Mrs. Young Hee Ward, singer Insooni (like Mr. Ward, the child of an American father and Korean mother), and dozens of National Assembly members, local politicians, sports stars, and members of Korea's artistic elite. In a two-hour span, Mr. Ward provided positive proof to convince our Korean contacts of the value of the individual, without concerns for place of origin, religion, race, or creed.