Alan Faneca life and biography

Alan Faneca Jr. is an American football guard for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers 26th overall in the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football for Louisiana State.

Pro Career:
Originally entered the NFL as the Steelers first-round draft pick (26th overall) in 1998 out of Louisiana State. Spent 10 seasons in Pittsburgh, starting 153 of 158 games during the regular season and all 11 postseason contests. Signed a five-year deal with the Jets on 3/3/08 as an unrestricted free agent and played two seasons in New York, starting all 32 regular season games and three postseason contests. Released by the Jets on 4/24/10 and signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals on 4/27/10.

2009: Started all 16 games and all three postseason contests at LG for the Jets, marking the eighth consecutive season he has started all 16 regular season games … earned his ninth consecutive Pro Bowl nod as a starter … was a key contributor to an offense that led the NFL in rushing yards with 2,756 (172.3 ypg) ... started 113th consecutive game in the season opener @ Hou (9/13) and contributed to offensive effort that produced 190 yards rushing and allowed no sacks ... helped clear the way for the team’s second-highest rushing total in franchise history (318 yards on 40 carries) vs. Buf (10/18); helped Thomas Jones pile up a franchise record 210 rushing yards on 22 carries, including a 71-yard TD run (second longest TD run in team history) … for the second-consecutive game, was part of an offensive line that helped clear the way for an offense that produced over 300 yards on ground, totaling 316 rushing yards and 38 points @ Oak (10/25) … blocked for a rushing attack that piled up 249 yards, including Jones’ sixth game of the season with 100+ yards @ Buf (12/3); marked Jets third game with over 200 rushing yards ... helped clear the way for the team’s 202 rushing yards, including Jones’ sixth game with over 100 yards (105) @ Ind (12/27) … in the regular season finale vs. Cin (1/3/10), started in his 128th consecutive game and was part of an offensive line that started their 32nd consecutive game as a unit, the longest streak for an offensive line in the NFL; cleared the way for the Jets 257 rushing yards on 57 carries (4.5 avg.) including four rushing TDs ... started 12th postseason game in the Wild Card matchup @ Cin (1/9/10) and was part of an offensive line that helped clear the way for 171 rushing yards on 41 carries (4.2 avg.) including two rushing TDs; line also did not allow a sack; helped rookie Shonn Greene rush for 135 yards, tying the second-highest rushing total in Jets postseason history … helped block for the team’s 169 rushing yards in the Divisional matchup @ SD (1/17/10) and led the way for Greene’s second consecutive postseason game with over 100 yards (128) ... starting his 14th career postseason game, was part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in the AFC Championship game @ Ind (1/24/10).

2008: In his first season with the Jets, served on an offensive line in which all five players started all 16 games … earned eighth consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl and was named second-team All-Pro, his eighth career selection to the All-Pro team … helped lead Thomas Jones to his first career Pro Bowl after rushing for an AFC-high 1,312 yards … played key role in leading Jets rushing attack to a season-high 242 yards on 33 carries (7.3 avg) @ Oak (10/19) … led the way for a Jets offense that totaled 206 yards on the ground and was part of a line that did not allow a sack vs. Stl (11/9) … played a role in the Jets 192-yard rushing performance in a victory over the previously unbeaten Titans, including a 61-yard TD run by Leon Washington @ Ten (11/23) … led the way for a Jets offense that averaged 7.5 yards per rush (138 yards), including a two-TD performance by Thomas Jones vs. Den (11/30) … provided the blocking as the Jets totaled 165 yards rushing, including a 47-yard TD run by Leon Washington vs. Buf (12/14).

2007: For the sixth consecutive season, started all 16 games for the Steelers, helping RB Willie Parker net eight games over 100 yards rushing … started all 16 games at LG and was voted to the Pro Bowl as a starter and named a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press … in the season opener, blocked for a Steelers offense that piled up 206 yards rushing @ Cle (9/9), including 109 yards from Parker … helped offense rack up 420 yards of offense vs. Buf (9/16), including Parker’s 126-yard performance, his second consecutive 100-yard game to open the season … for the second time in the first three games, led the way for a ground attack that totaled over 200 yards (205) vs. SF (9/23); led Parker to his third consecutive 100-yard performance (133) … guided Parker to his fourth 100-yard performance of the season in the 21-0 shutout vs. Sea (10/7) … part of a line that helped the offense total 390 yards of offense (160 rushing, 230 passing) and did not allow a sack @ Cin (10/28) … in a come-from-behind victory, blocked for an offense that outgained their opponents 401 to 163 vs. Cle (11/11); led Parker to 105 rushing yards while protecting QB Ben Roethlisberger, who was not sacked despite 35 pass attempts … led the way for a rushing attack that gained 181 yards on the ground, 124 by Parker @ NE (12/9); did not allow a sack despite 32 pass attempts … lead blocker for an all-around dominate offensive performance against the Rams, totaling 425 yards (166 rushing, 259 passing) as Roethlisberger earned his third career perfect passer rating @ Stl (12/20) ... in the Wild Card matchup vs. Jax (1/5/08), started his 11th consecutive postseason game.

2006: Started all 16 games at LG for the Steelers, helping pave the way for Parker to post the third-highest single-season rushing total in franchise history (1,494) … earned first-team All-Pro honors and was named to his sixth straight Pro Bowl … in the season opener vs. Mia (9/7), started at LG for the 65th consecutive game, helping the offense gain 143 yards on the ground … led the way as offense gained 457 total yards, including 219 rushing yards on 42 carries (5.2 avg.) and three TDs vs. KC (10/15) … helped the offense gain 467 yards and five TDs, including 217 rushing yards vs. NO (11/12); led Parker to 213 yards on the ground, the second highest total in franchise history … started at LG for the 75th consecutive game @ Bal (11/26) … part of an offense that gained 528 total yards vs. Cle (12/7), including 303 rushing yards on 52 carries (5.8 avg.) and two TDs; Parker set a new franchise rushing record with 223 yards.

2005: Named to his fifth straight Pro Bowl and was named first-team All-Pro for the fourth time as he started all 20 games, 16 in the regular season and four in the postseason, including Super Bowl XL in Detroit … guided the way for first-year starter Willie Parker to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career … started at LG in the season opener vs. Ten (9/11) and helped lead Parker to 161 yards, the highest total in franchise history for the opening weekend … part of a line that helped Parker to his second consecutive 100-yard performance to open the season (111) @ Hou (9/18) … in his 54th consecutive start at LG, helped pave the way for 221 rushing yards @ Cin (10/23) … helped the team rush for 154 yards on 33 carries (4.7 avg.) @ GB (11/6) … for the second straight game, part of an offense that totaled 150+ yards on the ground, totaling 159 yards vs. Cle (11/13) … helped the Steelers  gain 190 rushing yards on 46 carries (4.1 avg.) and two TDs vs. Chi (12/11) … helped lead the way for an offense that totaled 209 yards on the ground on 35 attempts (6.0 avg.) … starting his seventh career postseason game, helped offense gain 346 total yards in AFC Wild Card matchup @ Cin (1/8/06) … started at LG and blocked for an offense that totaled 112 yards on the ground in the Divisional game @ Ind (1/15/06) … part of a line that led the Steelers to 358 total yards of offense in the AFC Championship game @ Den (1/22/06) … in his first Super Bowl appearance, helped the Steelers rush for 181 yards and two TDs on 33 carries (5.5 avg.) in Super Bowl XL vs. Sea (2/5/06); rushing total included a 75-yard TD run by Parker, the longest run from scrimmage in Super Bowl history.

2004: Started all 16 games and two postseason contests at LG and was named to his fourth straight Pro Bowl … also named first-team All-Pro for the third time in his career … started his 95th game for the Steelers in the season opener vs. Oak (9/12) … helped lead the Steelers to their third consecutive 100-yard rushing performance vs. Cle (10/10), the first time in over two years that they have had a 100-yard rusher in three consecutive games … part of a line that led Duce Staley to his fourth 100-yard performance of the season as part of a season-high 221 yards rushing for the offense vs. NE (10/31) … put in another strong performance, helping the offense gain over 200 yards rushing for the second consecutive game and produce a 100-yard rusher for the fifth time in six games vs. Phi (11/7) … led the way for the fourth consecutive 100-yard rushing performance by a Steelers RB @ Cin (11/21) … was part of an offense that racked up 400 yards for the fifth time on the season, including 100 yards rushing by Jerome Bettis vs. Bal (12/26) … started his fifth postseason game in the Divisional matchup vs. NYJ (1/15/05) and helped pave the way for Jerome Bettis to gain 101 yards, the Steelers’ first 100-yard postseason individual rusher since 1997 … started the AFC Championship game vs. NE (1/23/05).

2003: For the second consecutive season started all 16 games for the Steelers, nine games at LT, due to an injury to Marvel Smith, and seven at LG … named to third straight Pro Bowl … led the way for an offense that compiled 339 total yards in the season opener vs. Bal (9/7); landed a crushing block on Ravens All-Pro LB Ray Lewis … served as a key blocker for an offense that piled up 376 yards of offense, including a season-high 138 yards on the ground @ Cin (9/21) … started the first game of his career at LT, moving from LG due to an injury to Marvel Smith @ Den (10/12) … returned to LG for the first time in six games @ Cle (11/23) … started at LG but moved to LT early in the second quarter when Smith aggravated his neck injury vs. Cin (11/30) … started at LT for the fifth time and helped pave the way for the Steelers’ first 100-yard rusher and no-sack performance vs. Oak (12/7) … started his eighth game at LT and paved the way for Jerome Bettis’ season-high 115 yards rushing and the team’s 181 yards rushing on the day vs. SD (12/21).

2002: Started all 16 games and two postseason games for the Steelers and was voted to his second consecutive Pro Bowl … also named first-team All-Pro for the second consecutive season … recovered a fumble at the Steelers goal line that preserved a FG scoring opportunity vs. Cle (9/29) … started at LG but left the game temporarily to have stitches placed in his forehead @ NO (10/6) … helped pave the way for the offense’s season-high 211-yard rushing total and Jerome Bettis’ first 100-yard effort of the season @ Cin (10/13) … helped lead the way as RB Amos Zereoue rushed for 111 yards @ Cle (11/3), marking his first career 100-yard rushing performance … put in an outstanding performance in helping the Steelers total 645 yards of total offense, including 123 rushing yards by Zereoue (his second consecutive 100-yard game) and 473 yards and four TD passes by Tommy Maddux vs. Atl (11/10) … led the way for an offense that piled up over 200 yards rushing @ Jax (12/1), the team’s second 200-yard day of the season … started his third career postseason contest in the Wild Card matchup vs. Cle (1/5/03) and helped the offense pile up 432 yards of offense in the come-from-behind win … started his fourth career postseason contest in the Divisional game @ Ten (1/11/03).

2001: Started all 15 games in which he appeared and his first two postseason games for the Steelers, earning his first Pro Bowl selection … was named first-team All-Pro for the first time in his career … helped Jerome Bettis gain over 1,000 yards for the fourth straight season … had offseason surgery on his (right) wrist on 1/29/01 that forced him to miss action during the preseason … started 30th consecutive game in the season opener and helped pave the way for Bettis’ 47th career 100-yard game @ Jax (9/9) … led the way for Bettis, who totaled 114 rushing yards @ Buf (9/30), his second 100-yard game of the season … the following week, Bettis totaled 153 yards on the ground as the Steelers racked up 275 yards rushing vs. Cin (10/7) … played a key role in the Steelers second consecutive 200-yard rushing effort as they piled up 203 yards on the ground @ KC (10/14); rushing effort was led by Bettis, who totaled 112 yards, his third consecutive 100-yard performance … was instrumental in the team’s third-straight 200-yard rushing effort that included Bettis’ fourth consecutive 100-yard game @ TB (10/21) … led the way for the Steelers’ fourth 200-yard rushing performance of the season and Bettis’ fifth 100-yard game @ Cle (11/11) … ended his string of 42 consecutive starts when he was inactive in the regular season finale vs. Cle (1/6/02) to help rest an ailing shoulder … started first career postseason contest in the Divisional win vs. Bal (1/20/02), helping the team pile up 134 yards and two TDs on the ground … started second career postseason game in the AFC Championship game vs. NE (1/27/02).

2000: For the first time in his career, started all 16 games and helped the offense finish with the fourth-ranked rushing attack in the NFL and one of only 10 teams to compile more than 2,000 yards rushing … helped pave the way for Jerome Bettis’ first 100-yard game of the season @ Cle (9/17) as the team compiled 209 rushing yards, their highest single-game total since ’99 season opener … helped the Steelers pile up 193 yards and a TD on the ground (4.7 avg), including 107 yards by Bettis @ NYJ (10/8) … helped pave the way for Bettis’ third consecutive 100-yard game (fourth on the season) vs. Cle (10/22) … earned his 25th consecutive start and helped pave the way for Bettis’ sixth 100-yard performance of the season vs. Oak (12/33) … started the season’s final three contests, giving him 28 consecutive starts.

College:
Started all 36 games he appeared in at Louisiana State … All-Southeastern Conference first-team choice in 1996 and ‘97 … named an All-American first-team right guard by the Associated Press, Football Writers Association, Football News, The Sporting News and Walter Camp as a junior in 1997 … one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy as the nation’s best lineman … compiled 210 career pancake blocks … allowed just one sack during his final season … as a sophomore in ‘96, was an All-American second-team choice by Football News and an All-SEC first-team selection after allowing only one sack … named SEC Freshman of the Year by the Knoxville News-Sentinel in 1995 … redshirted as a freshman in 1994.

Personal:
Full name Alan Joseph Faneca, Jr. … was an All-Greater Houston, Orlando Sentinel All-South and Houston Touchdown Club Player of the Year as an offensive lineman at Lamar Consolidated (TX) High School during his senior season … also lettered in track, competing in the discus … attended John Curtis (New Orleans, LA) High School prior to playing at Lamar … does extensive work with the Epilepsy Foundation of America and has participated in a podcast called “Speaking Out for Epilepsy” … diagnosed with Epilepsy at age 15 … majored in Entrepreneurship Management at LSU.

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