PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There was a time in his career where Ben Roethlisberger did not ‘exemplify the spirit of cooperation with the media that Art Rooney embodied’, the criteria for winning the Chief Award. This year, for the second time, Roethlisberger named the recipient of that award.
Chase Claypool named the Joe Greene Great Performance Award winner, as the Steelers rookie of the year.
Several previous Chief Award winners are still on the team-Cam Heyward (twice), Joe Haden and David DeCastro. Several have started media careers of their own-Merril Hoge, Tunch Ilkin, Jerome Bettis, Hines Ward, Ryan Clark, Ike Taylor, Ramon Foster and Arthur Moats (heard Tuesdays with the Fan’s PM Team from 2-6p). Three of the previous winners are also in the Pro Football Hall of Fame-Dan Rooney, Rod Woodson and Bettis with Roethlisberger and maybe Ward adding to that list.
“It has definitely been a trying year, not just for players, but for you guys as well,” Roethlisberger said Wedneday. “Thanks for making it work. I can honestly say I miss the face-to-face interaction with you guys at times. It’s nice to actually have some dialogue and conversation. See your guys reaction to some of my crazy answers. To not have that this year has been different.”
“Thanks so much for this award, it means a lot.”
Claypool, 57 receptions, 772 yards, 8 touchdowns receiving and 2 rushing, joins JuJu Smith-Schuster, Martavis Bryant, Mike Wallace, Santonio Holmes, Troy Edwards and the inaugural Joe Greene Great Performance Award winner Louis Lipps as receivers to win it.
“Definitely a big honor especially looking at the people that won it in the past and then being named after arguably the best Steeler in history," Claypool said. "Super cool! I know there are hopefully a lot more years to come. Don’t let this get to me, but definitely a huge honor right now.”
Eight winners of the Joe Greene award remain on the team including the last six.
The awards are chosen by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America.