Parker's roll continues; Steelers vote him MVP

Gerry Dulac
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Friday, December 29, 2006


First, he broke the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the second year in a row, then he made the Pro Bowl. Yesterday, the Steelers trumped that, electing running back Willie Parker as the team's MVP.

After he rushed for 106 yards in the 2004 preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, an undrafted rookie named Willie Parker boldly proclaimed he would one day make the Pro Bowl. Never mind he rarely played in three seasons at the University of North Carolina. Or, at the time, he hadn't made the Steelers' 53-man roster.


"Coach Whisenhunt came up to me and told me to slow down, that I have to make the team first," Parker said, referring to offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt.

Fast Willie Parker never does anything slow.

Two years after his brash statement, he has made good on his prediction. But his first selection to the Pro Bowl could not top the honor Parker was bestowed yesterday -- being named the Steelers' most valuable player in a vote by his teammates, the first running back to win the award since Jerome Bettis in 2000.

"I think it's better than the Pro Bowl," Parker said.

"For them to say I'm their most valuable player, that's phenomenal. They look at me the way I look at them. And I look at them as the greatest players in the league."

Even Parker acknowledged that this is another chapter in his amazing story. After a three-year college career in which he rushed for 817 yards and just one 100-yard game, Parker has put together a season to remember for the Steelers, rushing for 1,360 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns (11 rushing, three receiving). The franchise record for touchdowns in a season is 15, set by Louis Lipps in 1985.

Only San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson (31), Kansas City's Larry Johnson (16) and Jacksonville rookie Maurice Jones-Drew (15) have scored more touchdowns in the AFC.

In addition, he is the first back in team history to have two 200-yard games in a season and the first since Bettis in 2000-01 to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.

"I'm only surprised people continue to question Willie Parker," said coach Bill Cowher. "What he has done two consecutive years speaks volumes about him."

Parker, a rookie free agent in 2004, was scouted and recommended by regional scout Dan Rooney Jr., who lives near Parker's hometown of Clinton, N.C. Cowher still remembers seeing Parker run for the first time in training camp, flashing the speed that has allowed him to post 11 runs of 20 yards or longer this season.

"I turned to one of the coaches and said, 'What's his problem? Why didn't this guy play [in college]?' " Cowher said. "Three years later, I'm asking the same question."

Three years later, Parker is only the fourth running back in franchise history to be named team MVP, joining Bettis (1996, '97, 2000), Barry Foster ('92) and Franco Harris ('72). With 72 yards against the Bengals, he will move into third on the team's all-time single-season rushing list.

On a team where most of the players have not performed to the standard of last season, Parker has stood out with six 100-yard games. The highlight was rushing for a team-record 223 yards against Cleveland, breaking a mark set by John "Frenchy" Fuqua in 1970.

This from a guy who had just one 100-yard game in college -- gaining 131 yards against Auburn in the 2001 Peach Bowl.

"I try not to reflect [on] all that stuff," Parker said, referring to his college career in which he carried 43 times for 181 yards as a senior. "But when they told me I was the MVP, I thought the Willie Parker story just keeps getting better. And I think the best point of my life is getting the MVP of the Pittsburgh Steelers."

Then Parker added: "That's why I'm speechless right now. I'm just speechless and I want to thank the Man up above for just giving me this opportunity."

Cowher said the vote, which was "clearly unanimous," indicates the regard the players have for Parker. He broke open Super Bowl XL for his teammates with a 75-yard touchdown run, and he hasn't stopped there.

When Parker returned to North Carolina earlier this month and rushed for 132 yards in a victory against the Carolina Panthers, left tackle Marvel Smith said it was "redemption" for what Parker had to endure in college.

"I think he's a guy who's got an unbelievable future," Cowher said. "He'll continue to get better and will get better. He's a very grounded young man. I can't say enough about him. He's a special back and a special person."

(Gerry Dulac can be reached at gdulac@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1466. )