Steelers Media Relations Staff Nominated for PFWA’s Pete Rozelle Award for 2nd Straight Season

For the second straight season, the Pittsburgh Steelers media relations department has been nominated for the Pro Football Writers of America’s Pete Rozelle Award, given to a team’s public relations staff that “consistently strives for excellence in its dealings and relationships with the media.”

“Under director of communications Burt Lauten and his staff of Michael Bertsch, Angela Tegnelia and Alissa Cavaretta, the Steelers communications department continues to rank among the best in the business,” the PFWA wrote in the nomination.


The Steelers have won the award twice previously, in 1991 and 2015. They were also nominated in 1990, 2006, 2009 and 2020.

Rozelle served as NFL commissioner from 1960-89. His first opportunity in the league was serving as the Los Angeles Rams’ public relations director from 1952-55. Rozelle is largely credited with turning the NFL into the organization that it is today and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

The Indianapolis Colts won the award last year. The Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans were also nominated for the 2021 award. The winner will be announced on June 11.