By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/
Wide receiver Mike Wallace was the unanimous Steelers rookie of the year and linebacker James Farrior won The Chief Award in a vote by the Pro Football Writers.
Wallace is fourth on the Steelers with 37 receptions and tied for second with five touchdown catches. His 18.7 yards per catch leads the top 50 AFC receivers.
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette
Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace has caught five touchdown passes this season.
He is the third consecutive rookie of the year who was not the team's top draft pick. The previous two were punter Daniel Sepulveda and undrafted special teams player Patrick Bailey. Before those three, the team's first-round draft choice won it five consecutive years.
"I have all of the confidence in the world in my abilities," said Wallace, a third-round draft pick who earned the job of No. 3 wide receiver early in the season. "If somebody is giving me the opportunity to get out there when we have all of those guys, I am not trying to give it back. I am taking advantage of it."
The award Farrior earned is named in honor of franchise founder Art Rooney Sr. and is presented to the member of the Steelers' organization who best exemplifies Rooney's spirit of cooperation with the media.
Ed Bouchette can be reached at ebouchette@post-gazette.com.
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First published on December 31, 2009 at 12:00 am
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