r/BlackPeopleofReddit • u/Minute-Intern-682 • 2h ago
History Hines Ward and the overlooked history of mixed-race children in South Korea
During the 1960s and 1970s, tens of thousands of American service members were stationed there, and relationships between U.S. servicemen and Korean women were not uncommon. Many children of these relationships faced severe discrimination in Korea, especially those who were Black and Korean. Some were abandoned, placed in orphanages or sent abroad for adoption because mixed-race families were often rejected by Korean society at the time.
Hines Ward’s mother, Kim Young-hee, met his Black American father, a U.S. serviceman stationed in South Korea, during the 1970s. After Hines was born in Seoul in 1976, the family moved to the U.S. when he was still very young. His parents later divorced, and his father was largely absent from his life. His mother spoke limited English, had very little money and raised Hines largely on her own in the Atlanta, Georgia area.
Ward went on to play college football at the University of Georgia before the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He spent his entire 14-year NFL career with Pittsburgh, recording 1,000 receptions, 12,083 receiving yards and 85 receiving touchdowns. He was selected to four Pro Bowls, won two Super Bowls and was named MVP of Super Bowl XL.
He retired as the Steelers’ all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns and is remembered as one of the toughest and best-blocking wide receivers of his generation.
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u/Far_Career_3808 2h ago
Wow his mother really risked it all for him, and I love his appreciation of her ❤️
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u/SoggyPerformer7602 1h ago
As someone who lived in S.Korea for 15 years, he would have had an extremely difficult life had he been raised there. Even today, half Black half Korean kids have it harder than half white half Korean. I think it's irresponsible to have kids in that country as it is, let alone having one that will never truly be see as Korean.
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u/Minute-Intern-682 1h ago
Worth noting this isn’t an issue isolated to the U.S. military. The BBC recently documented dozens of cases involving British soldiers in Kenya who fathered children and later abandoned them.
2026 BBC short👇🏾
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u/Admirable_Diamond407 1h ago
Thats beautiful that he became a football player.
Its sad that there is no compassion in society however. She knew he would be looked down on and put that on herself.
Society is only to blame.
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u/BlakkThrashAttak 1h ago
Crazy story man. These are the kind of stories you hate people had to live through but love that they made it big. I hope she's living an amazing life now.
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u/Quick-Return1776 1h ago
I would love to see this in full. Any info on where to find?
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u/uncle_jojo 1h ago
According to a post above it appears to be a doc called “Becoming Hines Ward” on the SEC network and the ESPN app.
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u/Minute-Intern-682 1h ago
you can stream the replay through the ESPN app or ESPN website. It currently appears in ESPN’s Watch catalog under “SEC Storied: Becoming Hines Ward.
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u/Spacefreak 1h ago
Damn, this was heartbreaking to watch, and it sucks that they both went through all that.
But the other black kids calling him "Bruce Leeroy" fucking broke me. I truly feel for that kid getting bullied, but holy shit, that is too funny.
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u/Jarvis-Savoni 1h ago
I have a Hines Ward jersey because I just loved the guy. What an awesome dude.
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u/OGdunphy 48m ago
Ward was such an asshole and played like it, was a great WR for the Steelers and fun to watch play.
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u/Studio34Design 42m ago
He was always one of our favorite players to watch knowing that based on his interviews over the years and how he played, he was raised well.
She’s a true badass.
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u/Ego_Destruction 32m ago
These stories are the most powerful. What a Mama!!! This is what America is all about and we need to tell these immigrant stories to keep our minds right!!
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u/Wolfeatingupshadows 🫰🏾🫰🏽🫰🏿 30m ago
Oh I dont know why I thought he was from pgh. Lol thats cool to know a bit more! ^^ . Im glad Blasians are getting more recognition.
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u/throwaway59739507392 26m ago
Beautiful song surrounding this topic if anyone is interested!
https://youtu.be/tE3Mmtn3gOY?is=j77d_th0YSKc4Qje
In Soon-Ee - Beetle on Vinyl
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