Faneca and Sepulveda Earn Steelers’ 2007 Pro Football Writers Awards

 

 

 Steelers offensive guard Alan Faneca and punter Daniel Sepulveda were named the 2007 recipients of the Pittsburgh chapter of Pro Football Writers of America’s annual awards.

 

Faneca was the recipient of the Pro Football Writers’ “Chief Award”, presented annually to the member of the Steelers’ organization who best exemplifies the spirit of cooperation with the media, which was established in honor of Steelers founder, Arthur J. Rooney, Sr.

 

Faneca, a 10-year veteran, is a two-time winner of the Chief Award, having also earned the honor in 2005. Tied for the longest tenure on the team, Faneca was the Steelers’ first-round draft pick (26^th overall) in 1998. He is a five-time All-Pro and a six-time member of the AFC Pro Bowl squad (2002-’07), including a starter in each of his last five appearances. Faneca is also a three-time offensive captain for the Steelers.

 

Sepulveda, Pittsburgh’s first pick in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft, was the winner of the “Joe Greene Great Performance Award”, given to the outstanding Steelers’ rookie. His 42.4-yard punting average ranks eighth in the AFC this season while his 37.7 net average is fifth best in the conference. Sepulveda’s 27 punts placed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line rank second in the AFC and tie him for fourth in the NFL. Sepulveda’s contributions to the team go beyond punting as he also serves at the team’s holder on placekicks.

 

A listing of the award winners include:

 

“The Chief Award” Winners:

1988           Dan Rooney                                         1999     Lee Flowers

1989           Dwayne Woodruff                                  2000     Jerome Bettis

1990           Merril Hoge                                          2001     Lee Flowers

1991           Gerald Williams                                    2002     Hines Ward

1992           Tunch Ilkin                                           2003     Mike Logan

1993           D.J. Johnson                                        2004     Jerome Bettis

1994           Rod Woodson                                      2005     Alan Faneca

1995           Levon Kirkland                                      2006     Brett Keisel

1996           Chad Brown                                                      Deshea Townsend

1997           Darren Perry                                        2007     Alan Faneca    

1998           Jerome Bettis

 

 “Joe Greene Great Performance Award” Winners:

1984           WR Louis Lipps                                    1996     FB Jon Witman

1985           P Harry Newsome                                 1997     CB Chad Scott

1986           LB Anthony Henton                               1998     OG Alan Faneca

1987           CB Delton Hall                                      1999     WR Troy Edwards

1988           RB Warren Williams                              2000     FB Dan Kreider

1989           SS Carnell Lake                                    2001     LB Kendrell Bell

1990           TE Eric Green                                       2002     OG Kendall Simmons

1991           TE Adrian Cooper                                  2003     S Troy Polamalu

1992           FS Darren Perry                                    2004     QB Ben Roethlisberger

1993           LB Chad Brown                                     2005     TE Heath Miller

1994           RB Bam Morris                                     2006     WR Santonio Holmes

1995           QB Kordell Stewart                               2007     P Daniel Sepulveda