Alan Faneca

Lore & Background

Arriving in 1998 as the 26th overall pick, Faneca saw limited playing time at first but injuries to fellow Steelers Will Wolford and Jim Sweeney allowed him to get his first start against the Cincinnati Bengals. He earned the Joe Greene Award as the team's top rookie. In 2000, he helped the Steelers rank fourth in the league in rushing, one of only 10 teams to compile more than 2,000 yards rushing. He had his best season to date when he was named a starter in the 2002 Pro Bowl his first selection to the squad, and also was named All-Pro by the Associated Press, The Sporting News, Sports Illustrated and Football Digest.

In 2003, he switched positions from left guard to left tackle due to injuries, helping teammate Amos Zereoué to three 100-yard performances during the season. He helped running backs Jerome Bettis, Duce Staley, and Willie Parker set individual and team rushing records, as well as propelling the Steelers to Super Bowl XL in Detroit, in which Pittsburgh defeated the Seattle Seahawks 21–10. He helped spring Parker to a 75-yard touchdown run that is currently the longest run in Super Bowl history.

In the 2007 season he helped quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to a perfect passer rating of 158.3 and Najeh Davenport to 123 rushing yards in week 16 at St. Louis Rams. He led the way for Willie Parker's 105-yard rushing performance in week 10 against the Browns, and was the key to Steelers ground attack rolling for 205 yards in week 3 vs. San Francisco 49ers, as well as the 206-yard rushing effort in the season opener at Cleveland. In 2007, Faneca was voted to the Steelers 75th Anniversary All Time Team by Steeler fans.

Reader's Guide

Faneca's greatest achievements include being named a six-time first-team All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowl selection. He was a critical component of the Steelers' Super Bowl XL victory, providing the stability needed for a championship-caliber offense. His induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021 solidified his place among the elite, serving as a permanent reminder of the power of the offensive line in winning championships.

Did You Know?

• Faneca began having seizures, later diagnosed as epilepsy, at age 15 and started on medication to control it while continuing to play football.
• He had 210 pancake blocks in his college career at LSU and allowed only one sack in his final season.
• He has lost over 100 pounds since his retirement and completed the New Orleans Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in February 2014 with a finish time of 3:56:17.
• Faneca was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021 and on May 10, 2021, was introduced as head football coach of Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia.