Four Steelers Selected to the 2006 Pro Bowl Squad 

 

PITTSBURGH—The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed four players on the 2006 AFC Pro Bowl team announced today by the NFL.

 

Steelers earning Pro Bowl recognition include: offensive guard Alan Faneca, center Jeff Hartings, safety Troy Polamalu and outside linebacker Joey Porter.

 

It is the fifth straight season that three or more Steelers players have been selected to the NFL’s annual All-Star game. The Pro Bowl will be played Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

 

The Pro Bowl squads were selected by a combined voting of fans, players and coaches.  ABC Sports will announce starting lineups for the Pro Bowl at halftime of the nationally televised Wild Card games on Saturday, Jan. 7.

 

Faneca earned his fifth consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl, while Porter earned his third overall Pro Bowl bid and his second in as many years. Hartings and Polamalu were both second-time selections after receiving the honor for the first time last season.

 

 Faneca has established himself as a perennial All-Pro and arguably the best guard in the NFL after being selected as the Steelers’ number-one draft pick in 1998. One of the team’s offensive co-captains, Faneca’s outstanding blocking has helped the Steelers rank fourth in the AFC in rushing offense. A team leader both on and off the field, Faneca was also the Steelers’ 2005 winner of “The Chief Award” for his cooperation with the media. The Chief Award is voted on annually by the Pittsburgh chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America.

 

Porter earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection and his third in four seasons after continuing to perform as one of the team’s defensive leaders. Despite having preseason knee surgery, Porter’s eight quarterback sacks tie him for most on the team, and he is also the team’s co-leader with three forced fumbles. His two interceptions this season rank second (tied) on the team. After 14 games, Porter, a defensive co-captain, currently has 52 total tackles.

 

Hartings earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl berth after being named a first alternate four times in the previous five years. His outstanding play and leadership has anchored an offense that has started three different quarterbacks this season while facing some of the NFL’s toughest defenses.

Polamalu has earned his second trip to Honolulu in as many years as the team’s starting strong safety. Always one of the most visible and energetic players on the field, Polamalu has registered 85 tackles (70 solo) and two interceptions in 14 games. His three quarterback sacks in Week 2 at Houston tied an NFL record for safeties. Polamalu has also recovered three fumbles, including one that he returned 77 yards for a touchdown in Week 9 at Green Bay. 

 

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Pro Bowl Notes:  During Bill Cowher's 14 seasons, 28 different players have been selected to the Pro Bowl — 24 were first-time selections — combining for 65 Pro Bowl trips...This is the 11^th time during Cowher’s tenure that a linebacker has been selected to the Pro Bowl. Since 1970, at least one Steelers linebacker has been selected to the team in 30 different seasons…This is the 10^th time in Cowher’s 14 seasons that at least four players were placed on the Pro Bowl team.