By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

 

He joined the Steelers as a rookie free agent three years ago and on Thursday, Willie Parker proved how far he has come when he was voted the team MVP by his teammates.

 

"The Willie Parker story just keeps getting better," said Parker. "I think at this point in my life, being the MVP of the Pittsburgh Steelers is great."

 

Parker was signed by the Steelers after he was passed over in the draft, coming to the team from North Carolina where the speedy back was seldom used.

 

He spent his rookie season learning from veteran Jerome Bettis and then last year stepped into the spotlight as the team's starting back.

 

This year he earned his first Pro Bowl trip, rushing for 1,360 through 15 games this season.

 

"I think it's better than the Pro Bowl," said Parker of his MVP honor. "Just getting nominated, getting voted by my teammates, I think it's great.

 

"It's just my teammates. For those guys to say that I'm the Most Valuable Player on the team, I think that is just phenomenal. I come to work everyday, lift weights with these guys and joke with them. They look at me like I look at them. I look at them as the greatest players in this league. If I had to vote, I'd vote for the whole team as the Most Valuable Player."

 

There were plenty of times when Parker thought that the opportunity to win the MVP, or even play in the NFL, was not a reality. A coaching change at North Carolina left him as the odd man out for some reason. He thought about quitting, thought about packing it in.

 

"I came close to quitting," said Parker. "I'm glad I didn't and that I was surrounded by a great cast of people, like my parents, that made me do the things that I didn't want to do. I thought there was no light behind the tunnel. They made me go lift weights, go run, and told me it was going to be all right. They took me to church and made me go up front in the church and get prayed for. My dad, he's a great man and he just kept me in the right frame of mind.   

 

"There were numerous times when I wanted to give everything up and just be normal. Everywhere I would go, people would ask why I wasn't playing and saying that I was the best back. They were wondering why I wasn't playing, or thought I must have not been doing something right. I just got tired of that question. Everyone wanted to know, they wanted an answer for it, and I had no answer for it."

 

Steelers scout Dan Rooney, Jr. had seen Parker play. He knew he was a hidden treasure, so when the draft came to a conclusion, he hustled to get him signed. The rest, as the saying goes, is history.

 

Parker came into training camp that year and opened eyes with his speed and ability to get to the corner. Since then he has developed into so much more.

 

"The first camp he was in he got the ball and would take it a couple of steps inside and head to the corner," said head coach Bill Cowher. "He showed unbelievable speed. That was the first thing that caught your eye, this guy has special speed. When you get a back like that with that kind of speed and his ability to run low to the ground and you can see him break tackles. You knew he was something special.

 

"The thing he has developed into is a very patient running back, being able to run inside, outside and run with power. He is catching the ball better this year. That has come with confidence. The year he spent last year behind Jerome he learned a lot. I think coming into this year he has gotten better in every game."

 

But there are still those who wonder about Parker. They question if he can be an every down back. The critics just don't seem to want to go away. But it doesn't bother Parker at all.

 

"Every time, every time I touch the field, that is why I play with a lot of energy and a lot of emotion," said Parker about having to prove himself.  "I do love the game but a lot of people criticize me and I think that is just the best feeling knowing that a lot of people still don't think I can do it or be that every down back and it just motivates me to just keep trying to be the best I can be."

There is one person though who has believed in Parker all along and that is Cowher. Parker credited him with believing in him, staying with him and giving him a chance.

 

"I can't say enough about the guy," said Cowher. "I am almost surprised that people continue to question Willie Parker. What he has accomplished and what he has done in two consecutive years speaks volumes about him. I think the vote that took place speaks about how his teammates feel about him. He is a guy who has an unbelievable future. He is continuing to get better, will get better and is a very grounded young man. He is a special back and a special person."