'The Dark Knight Rises': NFL Player Hines Ward Talks About His Scene in the Film

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In one of the most memorable scenes for the recently released trailer for The Dark Knight Rises, NFL player Hines Ward can be seen running for a touchdown as the football field collapses behind him.

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This is not the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver’s first time in front of the cameras in a non-football game role -– he is a former Dancing with the Stars champion.

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Ward spoke to the media after the trailer was release to talk a little about his role in the film. Although since he’s been sworn to secrecy about most of the film, he was limited in what he could say. Ward was invited by the producers to be a part of the film, along with several other pro football players.

“It blew me away. I mean to be a part of something that will last forever was amazing. I was truly blessed to be a part of it all,” Ward told the Los Angeles Times about his reaction to seeing himself in the trailer.

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Ward, who said he’s always been a Batman fan, told USA Today that he doesn’t usually take kickoff returns, which is what he’s pictured doing in the trailer. The scene was filmed at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

“I hadn't run back a kickoff in forever," said Ward. "It was a little bizarre. But I scored on the return and any time I score it's a lot of fun."

The Dark Knight Rises, the upcoming final installment Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, stars Christian Bale and Tom Hardy and is set for a July 2012 release.

Watch the trailer featuring Hines Ward here.