Selected Steelers’ 2007 Most Valuable Player

 

 

PITTSBURGH — Steelers linebacker James Harrison was recognized for his outstanding play this season by his teammates who voted him the Steelers’ 2007 Most Valuable Player.

 

Harrison, a first-year starter, was named a starting outside linebacker on AFC’s 2008 Pro Bowl squad for his outstanding play during the regular season. Through 15 games, Harrison leads all Steelers with 8.5 sacks and six forced fumbles. He has registered 73 tackles (61 solo), one interception and two recovered fumbles. Harrison is also tied for second on the Steelers with 12 special teams tackles (nine solo).

 

Harrison was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month of November. He put an exclamation point on his season in Week 9 (Nov. 5) when the Steelers hosted the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, by recording nine tackles (eight solo), 3.5 sacks, one interception, three forced fumbles and one recovered fumble. Harrison became the first player since 1982 (when the NFL recognized sacks as an official statistic) to record 3.5 sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception in one game. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance.

 

Harrison is the first Steelers linebacker since James Farrior (2004) to be selected by his teammates as the club’s most valuable player. His selection represents the 14^th time a linebacker has been selected Steelers MVP since 1969. During that time, 10 different linebackers received the honor, including three players ― Jack Lambert (1976, ’81), Greg Lloyd (’91, ’94) and Levon Kirkland (’98, ’99) ― who were each selected twice.

 

Following is the list of Steelers MVPs since 1969:

 

1969                WR          Roy Jefferson

1970                DT           Joe Greene

1971                LB            Andy Russell

1972                RB           Franco Harris

1973                WR          Ron Shanklin

1974                S              Glen Edwards

1975                CB           Mel Blount

1976                LB            Jack Lambert

1977                QB           Terry Bradshaw

1978                QB           Terry Bradshaw

1979                WR          John Stallworth

1980                SS           Donnie Shell

1981                LB            Jack Lambert

1982                CB           Dwayne Woodruff

1983                PK           Gary Anderson

1984                WR          John Stallworth

1985                WR          Louis Lipps

1986                LB            Bryan Hinkle

1987                LB            Mike Merriweather

1988                LB            David Little

                        CB           Rod Woodson

1989                WR          Louis Lipps

1990                CB           Rod Woodson

1991                LB            Greg Lloyd

1992                RB           Barry Foster

1993                CB           Rod Woodson

1994                LB            Greg Lloyd

1995                QB           Neil O'Donnell

1996                RB           Jerome Bettis

1997                RB           Jerome Bettis

1998                LB            Levon Kirkland

1999                LB            Levon Kirkland

2000                RB           Jerome Bettis

2001                QB           Kordell Stewart

2002                WR          Hines Ward

                        LB            Joey Porter           

2003                WR          Hines Ward

2004                LB            James Farrior

2005                NT           Casey Hampton

                        WR          Hines Ward

2006                RB           Willie Parker

2007                LB           James Harrison