Adam Larkey/ABC
Steelers receiver Hines Ward (top left) and 10 others were announced as contestants for ABC's "Dancing With the Stars.
" Top row: Ralph Macchio, Romeo and Sugar Ray Leonard. Bottom row (from left): Kirstie Alley, Chris Jericho, Wendy Williams, "Psycho" Mike Catherwood, Kendra Wilkinson and Chelsea Kane.
LOS ANGELES -- Steelers receiver Hines Ward will join a boxing great, a model who survived an Indian Ocean tsunami and a grown-up "Karate Kid" as hoofers on the 12th season of "Dancing with the Stars."
Welterweight champ Sugar Ray Leonard, model Petra Nemcova and Ralph Macchio of the 1984 karate movie will be among 11 celebrity contestants when the ABC show returns March 21.
The cast was announced Monday by "Dancing" hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke in segments that aired during an episode of ABC's "The Bachelor."
"Forget the rumors. The moment of truth has arrived!" Bergeron exclaimed.
Also hitting the dance floor will be actress Kirstie Alley; professional wrestler Chris Jericho; "Loveline" radio show co-host Mike Catherwood; onetime rap prodigy Romeo (former Lil' Romeo); Chelsea Kane of Disney Channel's "Jonas"; talk show host Wendy Williams and reality star Kendra Wilkinson.
Alley suggested the contestants' focus would be to "try not to fall on our butts the first week out. That's what I'm going for."
Leonard had a holistic description of his competitive approach.
"I think it's all psychological. I think it's spiritual," he said. "I think it's all the mental preparation."
Quipped Bergeron: "Have you ever watched the show?"
For Steelers fans concerned about Ward's recovery from knee surgery leading up to the show, Post-Gazette Steelers writer Ed Bouchette wrote on
PG Plus: Hines Ward will be dancing with the stars later this month, or about one month after his knee surgery. He had some cartilage removed and nothing really had to mend from the surgery performed with an arthroscope. If he were playing, he might have missed one game.
The star-professional dancer pairings will be announced tomorrow on "Good Morning America."
Last season's champ was "Dirty Dancing" actress Jennifer Grey, who was paired with dancer Derek Hough.
Other pro football players who have participated have fared well in the dancing contest. Jerry Rice and Jason Taylor were runners-up and Emmitt Smith won the competition with partner Cheryl Burke.
Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
