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Steelers' Batch wins prestigious service award
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Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch drops back to pass against the Ravens in a game in December.
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NEW ORLEANS -- Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch this afternoon won the Byron "Whizzer" White Award, the highest honor the NFL Players Association bestows upon a player.
The union annually presents the award to a player who is as dedicated off the field as he is on. It is named after the former Supreme Court Justice, who played for the Steelers in 1938.
It was the second year in a row Batch made the finals. Quarterback Drew Brees won the award last year. The NFLPA has presented the award since 1967, when Green Bay quarterback Bart Starr earned the first honor.
"You look at the names attached to the award, the history of it, it's special," Batch said two weeks ago.
For the first time, the award comes with a a $100,000 donation to Batch's charity.
"That makes it an even bigger deal," Batch had said of the donation.
A Homestead native, Batch started the "Best of the Batch Foundation," which offers programs that directly impact youth in Homestead and surrounding communities.
Other finalists were Chad Greenway of the Vikings, Charles Tillman of the Bears, Benjamin Watson of the Browns and Jason Witten of the Cowboys.
Other Steelers who have won the award are Andy Russell, Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier. Batch is the first Steelers player to win the award in 31 years.
First Published January 31, 2013 5:29 pm
