Tedy Bruschi, Hines Ward named honorary captains for AFC title game

Three-time Super Bowl champion and Patriots Hall of Fame linebacker Tedy Bruschi will serve as New England's honorary captain for the AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

The Steelers' honorary captain will be receiver Hines Ward, the MVP of Super Bowl XL and two-time Super Bowl champ.

The Patriots will play in the franchise's 13th AFC title game -- the 12th under the ownership of Robert Kraft, the seventh at home and their sixth at Gillette Stadium when they host the Steelers with a trip to Super Bowl LI on the line.

Bruschi and Ward will be part of the pregame festivities when they accompany the team captains at midfield for the coin toss prior to Sunday's contest.

"With an undefeated record in games that we have honored him, I can't think of a more perfect player to serve as honorary captain this Sunday," Kraft said of Bruschi in a statement. "He was called the perfect Patriot by head coach Bill Belichick, and he has lived up to that nickname with an 8-0 record in games where he has been a part of a Patriots celebration."

Bruschi, currently an ESPN football analyst, has been honored eight times by the Patriots since he retired prior to the start of the 2009 season, starting when he was recognized as a member of the 50th anniversary team. The Patriots won all eight of the games when Bruschi was honored as part of the festivities.

Ward caught 1,000 passes for 12,083 yards and 85 touchdowns in 14 seasons with the Steelers. He played in three Super Bowls and five AFC title games and was a member of the franchise's 75-season all-time team.