Ward to dance during NFL lockout

Last night, ABC unveiled the Season 12 roster for "Dancing With The Stars," and four sports figures will compete this spring: Steelers WR Hines Ward, former boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, former USC basketball player/rapper Lil Romeo and former WWE wrestler Chris Jericho.

Ward is the third active NFL player to take part in the show, joining Jason Taylor who was the Season 6 runner-up and Chad Ochocinco, who finished fourth in Season 10 last spring.

This might actually be a smart offseason move for Ward as the NFL is expected to have a lockout next season with the Collective Bargaining Agreement expiring at 11:59pm on Thursday. However, it looks like Ward could use some help with his dancing skills. I wouldn't put my money on him to win this season.

In addition to the quartette of athletes, the sports world is also represented by Kendra Wilkinson (wife of Vikings WR Hank Baskett) and "Karate Kid" star Ralph Macchio. Other castmembers include actress Kirstie Alley, talk-show host Wendy Williams, actress Chelsea Kane, radio personality “Psycho” Mike Catherwood and model Petra Němcová.