Steelers Are Essentially Blacklisted From NFL Awards Thanks To The League And Associated Press

Pittsburgh Steelers fans have grown tired of the constant disrespect some of the players in the Steel City get from the national media. TJ Watt is always spoken down on, while the NFL decides to prop up Myles Garrett. Garrett won the NFL's AP Defensive Player of the Year Award over Watt at the end of the 2023 season, even though Watt had Garrett beat in nearly every major statistical category. Both were finalists again for their performances during the 2024 season, but it was obvious that neither was going to win the award. 

Watt has been snubbed for the NFL's DPOY Award on multiple occasions, and other players have even admitted that. There are 50 voters for the award, and a lot of the voters are big names in NFL media and members of the local press in certain NFL cities. However, Pittsburgh does not have a representative. Ed Bouchette used to serve in that role, but current insider Ray Fittipaldo explained how Bouchette gave up his vote and Pittsburgh media has no representation during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan.

"We don't have one," Fittipaldo said about a Pittsburgh representative. "It used to be Ed [Bouchette]; Ed gave up the vote because he disagreed with the NFL or The Associated Press taking back the Rookie of the Year Award from Brian Cushing way back when because of steroid allegations. Ed didn't like that, he gave up the vote, and they gave it to somebody else in another city. We haven't gotten it back."

Bouchette is a very well-respected reporter and sportswriter, and he retired in 2019. However it seems like Pittsburgh hasn't had a representative since roughly 2010. Brian Cushing was an inside linebacker for the Houston Texans, and he had an excellent rookie year in 2009. He was voted the Defensive Rookie of the Year, while also being voted a Second Team All-Pro. He was accused of using steroids, and the DROY Award was re-voted on. He still got the most votes, but lost his spot as an All-Pro which is something that is also voted on by The Associated Press.

All of the major awards are voted on by this committee of 50 members of the media that are each selected by The Associated Press. This determines All-Pros, as well as season-long awards. The only prestigious award not determined by The Associated Press is the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, which is determined by a panel including previous winners and the NFL commissioner. 

These 50 voters are the same for every major award, as well as the All-Pro teams. There are plenty of names listed that are from team-specific cities, yet no Pittsburgh. As one of the most historic football towns in America, one might think that a concerted effort would be made to get a Pittsburgh representative on the ballot. 

Steelers Could Benefit From A Pittsburgh Representative Getting On The Ballot

It is important to note that no member of the Steelers organization deserved any of the major NFL awards during the 2024 season. Watt fell off at the end of the year, and Mike Tomlin's run at Coach Of The Year was short-lived. The only argument that could be made is Cam Heyward for Comeback Player of the Year.

It seems like The Associated Press holds a grudge against Pittsburgh and Bouchette for the way he disagreed with them back when the Cushing-fiasco went down. No Pittsburgh media members has been offered a spot on the committee, and it could help some of the players win some awards if Pittsburgh gets a representative again. 

What do you think about the lack of representation Pittsburgh has? Let us know in the comments below!

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