Hines Ward's decision not to report to the Pittsburgh Steelers' training camp on time was the wrong move. Ward decided not to report, despite being under contract for the upcoming season, because he wants a contract extension that would make him one of the NFL's top-paid wide receivers.

Steelers management was correct in sticking by the team's policy that, if a player is under contract, he must be in camp for any negotiations to go forward. It is a good policy aimed at averting contractual chaos involving players who feel they deserve more.

Few people would be reluctant to acknowledge that Ward is a great player. But no player is indispensable, and no player can guarantee that his future play will equal superb play he has displayed in the past.

If Ward would have acknowledged those facts, he would have been at the head of the line of players showing up for camp, showing the Steelers that he intended to be steadfast in his determination for the team to make it to the Super Bowl, despite his contract concerns.

Instead, he injected a negative ingredient to what otherwise would have been virtually a total upbeat start of camp.

Ward owes his teammates and fans an apology.