LOS ANGELES (AP)—It’s become a proud athletic tradition: Winning “Dancing With the Stars.”

When Hines Ward took home the mirrorball trophy on the hit show May 24, he joined its winningest group of alumni: Athletes. Professional athletes have taken the “Dancing” title six times in the past 12 seasons.

Since the show premiered stateside in 2005, three Olympians, two football stars and one race-car driver have been named “Dancing” champs.

POSTING ANOTHER 10—Hines Ward and his partner Kym Johnson compete during the celebrity dance competition "Dancing with the Stars," in Los Angeles on May 16. (AP Photo/ABC, Adam Taylor)

(NNPA)—Pioneering poet and musician Gil Scott-Heron died May 27 at St. Luke’s Hospital in New York City. He was 62. Scott-Heron became ill after returning from a European trip, but the exact cause of his death was not released.

Scott-Heron was best known for collaborating with pianist and flutist Brian Jackson during the early 1970s and his melodiously voiced performance readings in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

FILE—Gil Scott-Heron, who helped lay the groundwork for rap by fusing minimalistic percussion, political expression and spoken-word poetry died May, 27, at age 62. (AP Photo, 1984 File)

LITHONIA, Ga. (AP)—Bishop Eddie Long was focused on a message of moving forward on the first Sunday since he resolved the lawsuits brought against him by four former members of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.

At his 8 a.m. service, several hundred congregants clapped and cheered as Long appeared. Long did not address the allegations or the settlement, which was reached Friday.

BISHOP EDDIE LONG

LOS ANGELES (AP)—Hines Ward added a disco-ball trophy to his Super Bowl shelf May 24 after he samba-ed his way to the “Dancing With the Stars” championship.

The Steelers wide receiver and former Super Bowl MVP won the title, besting actresses Kirstie Alley and Chelsea Kane to become the season 12 champ.

“You are the MVP of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ season 12,” judge Carrie Ann Inaba said after Ward and professional partner Kym Johnson finished their last dance. “You learned how to lead the dancing, not only in the dance, but you led your partner out of injury. You dance with heart and it shows.”

TAKING HOME THE MIRRORBALL—Kim Johnson and Hines Ward pose with their trophy's after scores from the judges were combined with the audience votes to name Hines Ward and Kym Johnson champions of "Dancing with the Stars" and winners of the coveted mirror ball trophy, May 24. (AP Photo/ABC, Adam Taylor)