Not a bad first day for Hines Ward in Korea:

Ward and his mother, Kim Young-hee, were greeted by a scrum of more than 100 reporters and photographers on arrival at Inchon airport, near Seoul. National broadcaster YTN carried the arrival live and called the event “the return of the hero.”

Hundreds of riot police stood shoulder to shoulder to clear a path for the two.

Ward and his mother are starting a 10-day tour that will include a lunch with President Roh Moo-hyun, visits with relatives and a pep talk to mixed-race children, who often find it difficult to succeed in Korean society.

Well I guess Apollo Anton Ohno isn’t the only one that needs riot police to protect him at a Korean airport. Gees I wonder why President Roh didn’t decide to visit with the mixed race children as well?

Look at the free stuff that Ward is getting for coming to Korea:

Ward and Kim left Seoul with little, but they will be showered with gifts and accolades during their visit.

One automaker is loaning his entourage three limousines. A Seoul hotel is providing one of its most expensive suites and a fashion house has given new clothes.

Does a NFL athlete really need to be given this stuff for free? How about donating the money all of this stuff costs, to a mixed race children charity instead?