Steelers defensive end Cameron Heywardand wide receiver Martavis Bryantwere named the 2014 recipients of the Pittsburgh Chapter of Pro Football Writers of America's annual awards.
Heyward received the Pro Football Writers' "The Chief Award," which was established in honor of Steelers' founder, Arthur J. Rooney, Sr., and is presented annually to the Steeler that best exemplifies the spirit of cooperation with the media.
Heyward, in his fourth NFL season, has established a single-season career-best with 6.5 sacks and is currently tied for the team lead in sacks this season. He has never missed a game in his NFL career and his current streak of 63 consecutive games played is tied for the third-longest active streak among defensive ends in the NFL. Heyward's career numbers include 14.0 sacks, 11 pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Bryant, the Steelers' fourth-round draft selection in 2014, received the "Joe Greene Great Performance Award," given annually to the Steelers top rookie. Bryant has seen action in nine games with two starts and has recorded 25 receptions for 528 yards and seven touchdowns. He has five receptions of 40 yards on the season, including touchdowns of 94 and 80 yards. His 94-yard touchdown reception on December 7th at Cincinnati was the second-longest pass play in team history. Earlier this season, Bryant set an NFL record with six receiving touchdowns in a player's first four games in the league.
A listing of the award winners include:
"Joe Greene Great Performance Award" Winners:
| 1984 | WR Louis Lipps | 2000 | FB Dan Kreider |
| 1985 | P Harry Newsome | 2001 | LB Kendrell Bell |
| 1986 | LB Anthony Henton | 2002 | OG Kendall Simmons |
| 1987 | CB Delton Hall | 2003 | S Troy Polamalu |
| 1988 | RB Warren Williams | 2004 | QB Ben Roethlisberger |
| 1989 | SS Carnell Lake | 2005 | TE Heath Miller |
| 1990 | TE Eric Green | 2006 | WR Santonio Holmes |
| 1991 | TE Adrian Cooper | 2007 | P Daniel Sepulveda |
| 1992 | FS Darren Perry | 2008 | LB Patrick Bailey |
| 1993 | LB Chad Brown | 2009 | WR Mike Wallace |
| 1994 | RB Bam Morris | 2010 | C Maurkice Pouncey |
| 1995 | QB Kordell Stewart | 2011 | OT Marcus Gilbert |
| 1996 | FB Jon Witman | 2012 |
OT Mike Adams
RB Le'Veon Bell
"The Chief Award" Winners:
| 1988 | Dan Rooney | 2002 | Hines Ward |
| 1989 | Dwayne Woodruff | 2003 | Mike Logan |
| 1990 | Merril Hoge | 2004 | Jerome Bettis |
| 1991 | Gerald Williams | 2005 | Alan Faneca |
| 1992 | Tunch Ilkin | 2006 | Brett Keisel |
| 1993 | D.J. Johnson | Deshea Townsend | |
| 1994 | Rod Woodson | 2007 | Alan Faneca |
| 1995 | Levon Kirkland | 2008 | Ryan Clark |
| 1996 | Chad Brown | 2009 | James Farrior |
| 1997 | Darren Perry | 2010 | Ben Roethlisberger |
| 1998 | Jerome Bettis | 2011 | James Farrior |
| 1999 | Lee Flowers | 2012 | Casey Hampton |
| 2000 | Jerome Bettis | 2013 | Ike Taylor |
| 2001 | Lee Flowers | 2014 | Cam Heyward |
