PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – As proud as guard Alan Faneca is to finally get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It’s as much about the recognition for the position that he played as the personal achievement.
“It is a little vindication to play a position that is looked over a little bit, especially in the Hall of Fame process,” Faneca said. “When I came into the NFL, the philosophy was, generally speaking, you could plug anybody in at guard. The tackle that doesn’t make it as a tackle, they will play guard. Hutch (Steve Hutchinson) and I helped redefine it.”
Remembered for the block in Super Bowl XL that sprung Willie Parker for a 75-yard touchdown. Faneca said he got as excited about the small things in the game of football.
“The everyday battles is what kept it fresh for me,” Faneca said. “The week-to-week, not looking down the road at the big picture, just always trying to improve on who I was. Each-and-every day when I stepped out on the field or in the weight room, there was a better version of me that could come off the field. That I could continue to get better.”
“That’s really what’s always pushed me or motivated me is trying to get better. Regardless of who you are going against on that field there is always somebody better on another field. So you are always practicing against someone who is better and always trying to improve. It’s a never ending battle until it’s all over.”
Faneca joins a list of Steelers Hall of Famers, including a few teammates. An early influence on his career, center Dermontti Dawson would top that list.
“What a guy,” Faneca said. “What an athlete. I was never the kid who grew up and that pointed to someone and said I want to be that guy. That’s what I want to be when I grow up.”
“Here I am, I’m a grown man. I’m with the Pittsburgh Steelers and I get a couple of weeks around Dermontti and I was like, ‘I want to be this guy’. I want to be what this guy means to the organization.”
Faneca carved his own niche in the organization as a leader who wasn’t afraid to say what was on his mind. A man who overcame epilepsy to not only continue playing his sport, but excel. Someone who had to prove doubters wrong, much the same philosophy as his presenter, multiple Hall of Fame semi-finalist Hines Ward.
“He and I had so many discussions and bonded over those moments where we grew up together,” Faneca said. “We came out of college together and grew up in the Steelers organization, bringing the team along to where we were.”
“We just have a really good bond. I just wanted somebody that represented me. Hines and I have a lot of the same characteristics and mentalities that got us where we are. Very similar and that’s how we became who we are as players. That meant a lot to me in picking him.”
Faneca said his ending with the Steelers was tough to take, but now part of a grand reunion in fittingly gold jackets.