Hard Hat Award (Game #6, @ Cinci)

Hard Hat Award (Game #6, @ Cinci)

Stillers RB Mewelde Moore 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.

Moore, again starting in place of injured RB Willie Parker, had a career day versus the Bungals, rushing 20 times for 120 yards and scoring 3 TDs (1 catch, 2 rush).  He had several big plays:

-          2-yd. TD catch, 1Q.

-          13-yd. TD run, 3Q

-          On 1st down from the Pit 9 after a Cinci punt, Moore jumpstarted the drive with a 24-yard carry, giving the offense some breathing room amidst the thin 7-point lead.

-          Later in the 4Q, Moore had 2 consecutive 6-yard rushes, and then sealed the game with a strong 2d effort on a 2-yard TD plunge.

The late sequence is what nailed the Hard Hat down for Moore, as he showed superb toughness and sheer determination in grinding out the tough yards between the tackles.  On the TD run, he was hit initially, but would not be denied as he spun off and then dove into the EZ.  

Others receiving consideration from The Committee were Hines Ward, whose legal block broke the jaw of LB D. Rivers; LBs Larry Timmons & Jamie Harrison; and rookie OG Darnell Stapleton.  It bears repeating that there is almost always -- if not always -- a strong correlation between the number of players in consideration for the Hard Hat, and if the team won or lost.  Simply put, Hard Hat kind of football leads to victory; pansie football (a term used here long before Troy Pola popularized it) leads to defeat.

Kudos to Moore for winning the Hard Hat Award.  Wear the Hard Hat proudly, Mewelde! 

Previous 2008 Hard Hat Winners:

Week 1, vs. Houston: Willie Parker and LeMarr Woodley                                   

Week 2, @ Clev: Keyaron Fox and Jamie Harrison

Week 3, @ Phil: Troy Polamalu

Week 4, vs. Balt: Jamie Harrison and LeMarr Woodley

Week 5, @ Jax:  Ben Roethlisberger