Steelers News

Alan Faneca Left off 2019 Hall of Fame Ballot

Published

5 years ago

February 2, 2019

Alan Faneca’s journey to Canton, OH will have to wait another year.

Faneca, in his fourth year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, failed to make the cut of eight inductees that include: Champ Bailey, Pat Bowlen, Gil Brandt, Tony Gonzalez, Ty Law, Kevin Mawae, Ed Reed and Johnny Robinson. Bailey, Reed and Gonzalez were all first-ballot electives.

The six-time first-team All-Pro guard narrowly missed the cut, per TribLive.com. Faneca made it into the top ten before failing to earn a final spot on the enshrinement class.

The absence of Faneca to again be left off the final ballot has many fans and media members puzzled, and perhaps rightfully so.

2019 @ProFootballHOF class: #Ravens’ Ed Reed, #Broncos’ Champ Bailey, #Cowboys’ Gil Brandt, #Jets’ Kevin Mawae, #Patriots’ Ty Law, #Chiefs’ Johnny Robinson, #Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez and #Broncos owner Pat Bowlen.

Congratulations! But #Steelers G Alan Faneca not in again? Absurd.

— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) February 2, 2019

Faneca’s impressive resume includes spots on the NFL 2000’s All-Decade Team, the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team, eight total All-Pro team selections, nine Pro Bowl nods and a Super Bowl ring as well.

“When you talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers during the time he was there, arguably we had the best running game in the National Football League” said Bill Cowher to Steelers.com. “To be able to do that was special. We ran left behind him or we ran right and he was pulling. He was the guy who led the way for a lot of really good running backs, including one that is in the Hall of Fame right now who would tell you a big part of why he is there is Alan Faneca.”

Faneca will have to wait until the 2020 Hall of Fame Class to again attempt to get in, and could potentially join teammate Troy Polamalu in his first year of eligibility.

The eight members of the 2019 Hall of Fame class will be inducted on Aug. 3 in Canton, OH.