Dec 20, 2002 By Jim Wexell For The 5 min read

PITTSBURGH – At the end of this season, the Steelers will be represented in the Pro Bowl by: A.) An offensive guard who’s relieved that’s he’s more than a one-hit wonder.

B.) A wide receiver who’ll try not to show so much respect for the older veterans.

C.) A linebacker who’s happy he got even one vote, let alone enough to fly overseas.

So the Steelers will be represented Feb. 2 in Honolulu by (A) Alan Faneca, (B) Hines Ward and (C) Joey Porter following a combined voting of fans, players and coaches.

First alternates are linebackers Kendrell Bell and Jason Gildon, while center Jeff Hartings is a second alternate.

“I don’t think there could be three more deserving guys,” coach Bill Cowher said. “You look at Alan Faneca and the level he’s played at; Hines Ward, who set a record catching it; and Joey, who’s just been so consistent and so productive all year long. There are other players who’ve had good years but there’s no question those three deserved it.”

Porter is the only one of the three Steelers who hasn’t been to the Pro Bowl yet, and he sounded as if he’s still upset about not making the team last year when he had 9 sacks.

“The only stat I didn’t have last year was interceptions. I had more sacks last year and I didn’t even have no votes,” he said. “So you can’t really get too hyped about it since some guys are shoo-ins already.”

Porter is a Steelers co-leader in both interceptions (4) and sacks (8). He could become the first player since the team began tracking sacks in 1972 to lead the Steelers in both categories. Porter’s more proud, however, of being a leader on a defensive unit that’s climbed to No. 3 in the league in fewest yards allowed.

“The defense the last few weeks made a good surge,” he said. “It’s a great award. I’d by lying to say I wasn’t happy. I’m definitely happy, but it’s still a reflection of the whole defense.”

Faneca, the Steelers’ left guard, made the Pro Bowl team for a second consecutive season.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “I don’t think it’s as exciting as your first one because it’s your first one and you put so many years of hard work into that. It was my fourth year last year and you’re working so hard to hone your game and everything you put into it, your style, and it takes so long to do that. When it takes four years of hard work to finally get to that point, it means a little bit more.”

But, Faneca said, the second Pro Bowl proves he can stay at the top of the game.

“Yeah. You’re not a one-hit wonder. That’s satisfying,” he said. “You hear everybody talk about letting up after you make it to the Pro Bowl or sign a new contract, and you work hard to overcome that. I probably worked a little harder this off-season to overcome that.”

Prior to the start of the season, offensive line coach Russ Grimm called Faneca the best guard in the league. Did he live up to that praise this season?

“I don’t know if I have or not, but I try to live up to that statement and go out there and work hard and give 100 percent effort,” Faneca said.

For Ward, the selection was also his second, but the first as a voting choice. After last season, Ward was chosen after Jimmy Smith bowed out with an injury.

“To actually get voted in means a lot to me,” said Ward, who established a team record this season with 101 receptions for 1,205 yards and 11 touchdowns.

“Going to the Pro Bowl, that’s big for me,” he said. “I think every wide receiver should get a chance to go across the waters. It really means a lot to any receiver, but, like I said, it’s just a reflection of our offense. With Kordell (Stewart) and Tommy (Maddox) being in there, with the double teams Plaxico (Burress) had to take, I’m just ecstatic about it.”

Last year, Ward was in awe of the players surrounding him on the island.

“It was my first time over there and I was more of a spectator more than a player,” he said. “I was around those guys, saying, ‘Wow there’s Tim Brown.’ I called him Mr. Brown. I was just a kid out there. ‘Mr. (Michael) Strahan, Mr. Everybody.’ I couldn’t’ believe I was there.”

What about this year? Will he hear a “Mr. Ward”?

“Oh, no,” he said. “But like I said, I came a long ways. That’s why it really means a lot. I was a third-rounder who had two first-rounders put in front of me. I just worked hard, got an opportunity last year to be a starter and came back strong this year. This year really means a lot to me.”