Kendrell Bell, linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has been named winner of the 18th annual PNC Bank/Joe Greene Great Performance Award, presented to the team's outstanding rookie of the year for the 2001 season.
Sy Holzer, president of PNC Bank, Pittsburgh, will present the prestigious award to Bell, the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, during halftime of tonight's pre-season game against the New York Jets at Heinz Field. PNC's annual award is based on voting by the Pittsburgh chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America.
"This award is given every year to that one outstanding Steelers rookie who demonstrates exceptional performance throughout the season," Holzer said. "Kendrell is part of the Steelers' tradition of top-notch linebackers. He impressed everyone with his bone-jarring tackles and hits on enemy quarterbacks, running backs and receivers. His enthusiasm and dedication also were reflective of the effort put forth by another great rookie many years ago - the legendary defensive tackle and Hall of Famer - Joe Greene."
Bell's award culminated an impressive season that saw him become the first Steeler since Hall-of-Famer Jack Lambert in 1974 to earn the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Bell also was a first-alternate selection to the 2002 Pro Bowl and was only the second rookie in league history to ever be named NFL Rookie of the Month for consecutive months (October and November 2001).
The PNC Bank/Joe Greene Great Performance Award, a four-foot bronze statue of the Steelers star, was first presented by PNC -- the official bank of the Steelers -- to wide receiver Louis Lipps in 1984. Other past winners included Carnell Lake, Kordell Stewart and Chad Scott.
Here's to the Winners Past winners of the PNC Bank/Joe Greene Great Performance Award include: 2000 - Dan Kreider, FB 1999 - Troy Edwards, WR 1998 - Alan Faneca, G 1997 - Chad Scott, CB 1996 - Jon Witman, FB 1995 - Kordell Stewart, QB 1994 - Bam Morris, RB 1993 - Chad Brown, LB 1992 - Darren Perry, S 1991 - Adrian Cooper, TE 1990 - Eric Green, TE 1989 - Carnell Lake, S 1988 - Warren Williams, RB 1987 - Delton Hall, CB 1986 - Anthony Henton, LB 1985 - Harry Newsome, P 1984 - Louis Lipps, WR
PNC Bank is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services organizations, providing regional community banking, corporate banking, real estate finance, asset-based lending, wealth management, asset management and global fund services.
SOURCE: PNC Bank
CONTACT: Patrick McMahon of PNC, +1-412-762-2477,
patrick.mcmahon@pnc.com
Web site: http://www.pnc.com/
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