Congratulations to Ben!


Ben was the recipient of the Chief Award today, an honor that is given annually to the Steelers player that is most helpful and cooperative with the media.

“I said I need to be more cooperative with people, be a better person,” said Ben. “It’s just a change I wanted to make in my life.”

The award is voted on annually by the Pittsburgh chapter of the Pro Football Writers Association. The award is named after Steelers founder, Art Rooney.

“Anything named after ‘The Chief’ or the Rooney family is an honor,” he said. “So it is an honor.”

It is the first time in 23 years that a quarterback has won the award.


You can watch an interview with Ben about the award here.



Also Today:

Congratulations to rookie center Maurkice Pouncey. He was the recipient of the Joe Greene Award, which is given to the team’s outstanding rookie.

Ben spoke today about Maurkice’s first trip to the Pro Bowl –

“I am not surprised. I told you guys all along he is one of the best in the game. He is going to be the best. The sky is the limit for him. I am just happy and proud that everyone recognized it.”


And:

Career long consecutive pass attempt streak for Ben

Ben has a current streak of 136 consecutive pass attempts without throwing an interception, which is a career long streak. The streak began following his interception by CB Josh Wilson against Baltimore on Dec. 5 (Week 13). His previous best was a streak of 129 pass attempts without an interception during the 2008 season. That streak began at New England 11/30 when he was picked off by Mike Vrabel on his second pass attempt…He then attempted 129 pass attempts vs. Dallas 12/7, at Baltimore 12/14 and at Tennessee 12/21. Ben’s 130th pass attempt was intercepted by Michael Griffin, thus ending his streak at 129.

Ben’s current streak of 136 games is the longest for the Steelers since Kordell Stewart had a streak of 159 consecutive pass attempts without an interception in 2001. Stewart’s streak began after his last pass attempt at Tampa Bay 10/21 when he was picked off by Ronde Barber…it started vs. Tennessee 10/29 and continued vs. Baltimore 11/4, at Cleveland 11/11, vs. Jacksonville 11/18, at Tennessee 11/25 and ended at Minnesota 12/2. Stewart’s fifth pass was intercepted by Robert Griffith, thus ending his streak at 159.



Credit: Steelers