Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers’ Star Defensive Tackle Makes NFL History

Posted on by newssite

Three Pittsburgh Steelers players have been named to the AP All-Pro team, the one that is officially recognized by the NFL historically. Defensive lineman Cam Heyward, outside linebacker T.J. Watt, and kicker Chris Boswell all earned honors, with Heyward and Boswell earning First-Team All-Pro honors.

For Heyward, this was his fifth selection and fourth first-team distinction. On top of that, this is likely an honor that signals the finality of a Hall of Fame career. In the entirety of his career, he has 88.5 sacks and won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2023. All of that adds up to a resume worthy of an induction in Canton.
It is Heyward’s age that makes this season so stunning. At the age of 35, Heyward is the oldest defensive tackle to be selected to an All-Pro team in the Super Bowl era. The last time a defensive tackle 35 or older made an All-Pro team was Gino Marchetti on the Baltimore Colts in 1964, who earned that honor at the age of 37.

Boswell is the first kicker in Steelers history to earn that honor of First-Team All-Pro, and it is the first of his career. He went 41 of 44 this season while sinking all 35 of his extra point attempts. Boswell ran away with the honor, as the second closest kicker, Brandon Aubrey, was not all that close.

Watt, despite having 11.5 sacks and a down season by his standards, still earned the honor of Second Team All-Pro. He continues to put the bows on a surefire Hall of Fame career with another honor.

Other Steelers that were not on the teams but received votes were center Zach Frazier, linebacker Patrick Queen, cornerback Joey Porter Jr., safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, punt returner Calvin Austin III, special teamers Miles Killebrew and James Pierre, and long snapper Christian Kuntz.

 

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