The government could present a medal to American football star Hines Ward, who was named Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XL.

The Korean Culture Center in New York said Tuesday that it has asked Seoul to recognize the half-Korean, half African-American for his team's victory and MVP award.

South Korean media has made Ward the toast of Seoul, where he was born in 1976.

In April, he will make his first trip to South Korea since childhood with his Korean mother Kim Young-hee.

A Reuters story also said Ward will serve as an inspiration to mixed-blood children in South Korea.