Hard Hat Award (Game #4, @ Arizona)
Stiller WR Santonio �San Antonio� Holmes is the winner of the weekly Hard Hat Award, given to the Stiller player who best embodies the iron-tough, hard-as-steel attitude of the steel workers inside the blast furnace of a still mill.
Holmes was one of the few Steelers that showed up on Sunday with a game face on and a high level of intensity and focus. With Hines Ward sitting out due to injury, Holmes became the #1 man for the passing offense, and he did not shirk the extra burden of responsibility. Indeed, San Antonio responded with the best game of his young career, snagging 6 passes for 128 yards and 2 TDs.
It wasn�t merely raw stats, of course, as the coveted Hard Hat is never awarded to a player based on cheese or slop stats. Holmes received a punishing hit early in the game, but shook it off and showed the kind of determination and toughness that you expect from a Stiller receiver. His 2nd TD catch, in the 4th quarter on a high bullet in the back of the end zone, was actually a superb, Swann-like grab, as he had to reach back and up for the ball, all the while ensuring he tightroped the chalk on the back end of the end zone. He also chipped in with some solid blocking.
Kudos to Holmes for winning the Hard Hat Award. Wear the Hard Hat proudly, Santonio !
Previous 2007 Hard Hit Awardees:
Game 1, @ Clev: Jamie Harrison and Danny Sepulveda
Game 2, vs. Buffalo: Jamie Harrison
Game 3, vs. San Fran: Willie Parker