Former Steelers guard Alan Faneca is among the 15 Modern Era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019. Faneca was also a finalist in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
"You have to take it in stride and enjoy the process," said Faneca, who understands the process better after going through it before. "There is nothing you can do except keep moving along with what you are doing every day."
Faneca was the Steelers first-round draft pick in 1998 and played 10 seasons for the black and gold, and 13 overall in the NFL. He was a member of the Super Bowl XL Championship team and was selected to nine Pro Bowls. Faneca was a six-time All-Pro selection and was named to the Steelers All-Time Team in 2007 and the NFL 2000's All-Decade Team.
"Alan is more than deserving to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame," said Hall of Famer Dermontti Dawson of his former teammate. "I told him I knew you were going to be a good player the first time you came in as a rookie. Most guys don't come in that seasoned like he was. He was quick, strong, and knowledgeable. He had all of the attributes. Some guys struggle when they come in with the system, trying to learn the system, technique wise. Alan came right in and was a perfect fit. There was no slack at all. He came in and did his thing.
"You knew he had the makings of a phenomenal player and it played out that way."
The Hall of Fame Selection Committee will hold their annual meeting on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019. The finalists will go from 15 to 10, and then down to five. The Class of 2019 will be announced during the "NFL Honors" show that evening.
The 2019 Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony will be held August 3 in Canton, Ohio.
