Hard Hat Award (Game #13, vs. Chico)

   "77"     "B.A." 

Hard Hat Award (Game #13, vs. Chico)

Stiller RB Jerome Bettis and OG Alan Faneca are the co-winners 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.

Bettis helped grind the vaunted Bears defense into a pulp amidst a Pittsburgh snowstorm on Sunday, rushing for 101 yards on 17 carries and grabbing 3 passes in the win over Chicago.  Included in Bettis� effort was a 5-yard TD run, in which he ran roughshod over Bear LB Brian Urlacher en route to the end zone.  On most carries, The Doughboy continually bulled and plowed for extra yardage. 

Faneca had a stupendous game versus Chico, throwing his body around at anyone in a white jersey and knocking defenders out of the way like bowling pins.  He set the tone early on, blocking 2 defenders on Willie Parker�s 45-yard screen play.  Overall, this was as dominant a performance from an offensive guard that you�ll see in today�s NFL. 

Brett Keisel deserves mention for strong, hard-nosed play on special teams coverage. 

Special mention goes poster PlaxicoIsWacked from the Stillers.com message board. 

  First, he removes the braces that have immobilized his back.

  Then, he rounds up two escapees from the psych. ward at Charlottetown's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

  Then, he drives 12 hours through a blizzard from Prince Edward Island, deep in the Canadian Martimes, to Boston's Logan Airport.

  Then, he sleeps in the terminal.

  He flies to Pittsburgh the next day, his first trip to our fair city.

  He buys from a scalper, sits through weather conditions reminiscent of his native CFL....Grey Cup, Edmonton Eskimos vs. Calgary Stampeders.

  He sleeps in the terminal of Pittsburgh International Airport

  He flies back into Logan, loads his wards back into the vehicle, drives the 12 hours back to PEI...

  24 hours of driving....2 nights sleeping in terminals...two flights.....one frigid, snowy day at Heinz�!

Kudos to Bettis and Faneca for winning the weekly Hard Hat Award.  Wear the Hard Hat proudly, gents! 

Past 2005 Hard Hat Winners:

Week 1, vs. Tenn: Willie Parker

Week 2, @ Hou: Troy Polamalu

Week 3, vs. NE: Clark Haggans

Week 4, @ SD: Troy Polamalu

Week 5, vs. Jax: Heath Miller and Ike Taylor

Week 6, @ Cinci: Hines Ward and Ike Taylor

Week 7, vs. Balt: Andre Frazier

Week 8, @ GB: Duce Staley

Week 9, vs. Clev: Hines Ward and Charlie Batch

Week 10, @ Balt:  Aaron Smith

Week 11, @ Indy:  No one

Week 12, vs. Cinci: Ben Roethlisberger

(Note: Stillers.com will pay tribute to Steve Courson this season by placing "77" in the Hard Hat Award article each week.  Courson, as most of you certainly recall, was the ultimate Hard Hat kind of player.  Tough, dependable, and versatile.   Stillers.com will also pay tribute to Army Sergeant First Class Brent Adams, a longtime Stillers fan and Pittsburgh native who paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country while serving on point for the nation in Iraq.  SFC Adams died on duty in Iraq on Dec. 1st, 2005, and his obituary can be read at this link.  Brent represents the values of the Hard Hat, and as such, Stillers.com will place a "B.A." in the Hard Hat article the rest of the season in tribute to this great American.)