Steelers linebacker James Farrior and offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert were named the 2011 recipients of the Pittsburgh Chapter of Pro Football Writers of America's annual awards.
Farrior was the recipient of the Pro Football Writers' "The Chief Award", which was established in honor of Steelers' founder, Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. and presented annually to the member of the Steelers' organization who best exemplifies the spirit of cooperation with the media.
Farrior, in his 15th NFL season, has started 195 career games at linebacker, including 153 as a Steeler. In his 10 seasons with the Steelers, Farrior has compiled 1,200 tackles, 30 sacks, eight interceptions, 12 forced fumbles and 10 fumble recoveries. He has started 15 career postseason contests, recording 98 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions, helping to guide the Steelers to victories in Super Bowl XL and XLIII.
Gilbert, the Steelers' second round draft pick in 2011, was the winner of the "Joe Greene Great Performance Award", given to the outstanding Steelers' rookie. Gilbert has played in 13 games with 12 starts, which are the second-most starts of any offensive lineman. Gilbert has been instrumental in the success of the Steelers' offense, helping to pave the way for the Steelers' offense to gain more than 370 yards per game. This is the first time in team history that an offensive lineman (C Maurkice Pouncey, Gilbert) won the award in consecutive seasons.
A listing of the award winners include:
"The Chief Award" Winners:
| 1988 | Dan Rooney | 2001 | Lee Flowers |
| 1989 | Dwayne Woodruff | 2002 | Hines Ward |
| 1990 | Merril Hoge | 2003 | Mike Logan |
| 1991 | Gerald Williams | 2004 | Jerome Bettis |
| 1992 | Tunch Ilkin | 2005 | Alan Faneca |
| 1993 | D.J. Johnson | 2006 | Brett Keisel |
| 1994 | Rod Woodson | Deshea Townsend | |
| 1995 | Levon Kirkland | 2007 | Alan Faneca |
| 1996 | Chad Brown | 2008 | Ryan Clark |
| 1997 | Darren Perry | 2009 | James Farrior |
| 1998 | Jerome Bettis | 2010 | Ben Roethlisberger |
| 1999 | Lee Flowers | 2011 | James Farrior |
| 2000 | Jerome Bettis | ||
"Joe Greene Great Performance Award" Winners:
| 1984 | WR Louis Lipps | 1998 | OG Alan Faneca |
| 1985 | P Harry Newsome | 1999 | WR Troy Edwards |
| 1986 | LB Anthony Henton | 2000 | FB Dan Kreider |
| 1987 | CB Delton Hall | 2001 | LB Kendrell Bell |
| 1988 | RB Warren Williams | 2002 | OG Kendall Simmons |
| 1989 | SS Carnell Lake | 2003 | S Troy Polamalu |
| 1990 | TE Eric Green | 2004 | QB Ben Roethlisberger |
| 1991 | TE Adrian Cooper | 2005 | TE Heath Miller |
| 1992 | FS Darren Perry | 2006 | WR Santonio Holmes |
| 1993 | LB Chad Brown | 2007 | P Daniel Sepulveda |
| 1994 | RB Bam Morris | 2008 | LB Patrick Bailey |
| 1995 | QB Kordell Stewart | 2009 | WR Mike Wallace |
| 1996 | FB Jon Witman | 2010 | C Maurkice Pouncey |
| 1997 | CB Chad Scott | 2011 | OT Marcus Gilbert |
