Joey Porter # 55

Height:  6-2

Weight: 248 lbs.

College: Colorado State

NFL experience:  5 years

Steeler Experience:  5 years

Birthdate:  March 22, 1977

Hometown:  Bakersfield, CA

He earned his first selection to a Pro Bowl in 2003.  Also, he was named Associated Press First - Team All - Pro squad.  Tied Jason Gildon for 9 sacks ( team high) .  He was the first player in the NFL to record 8 sacks and 4 interceptions in a season (since sacks became a statistic in 1992).  Joey Porter posses play potential.

He started the season with a great start.  Porter, was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week, the 2nd week of the season.  He had 2 interceptions, for a total of 114 return yards.  The next week he had a huge day with an interception and 7 tackles (6 solo).  He had a big season, playing in every game.  He ended the season with:

- 9 sacks   - 4 interceptions = 153 yards   - 2 forced fumbles

-73 solo tackles   - 16 assisted tackles   - 89 total tackles

The first 4 weeks of the season Porter played great!  The 5th week of the season he was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.  He set a career high ( at that point in his career)  of 4 sacks.  Registered 7 solo tackles, 5 quarterback hurries/pressures and one pass defense.  November 18, 2001 at Jacksonville he registered the team  leading 8th sack of the season.  December 23, 2001 against Detroit, on the 3rd play of the game he registered his 9th sack of the season.  January 6, 2001 against Cleveland he missed his first game of the season to rest his injured shoulder.  He returned to play the last two weeks of the season.

2001 Statistics:

- 9 sacks

- 3 forced fumbles

- 60 solo tackles

- 12 assisted tackles

- 72 total tackles

Finished 2nd to Jason Gildon with a career high of 10 1/2 sacks.  Gildon and Porter tied the duo team record for 24 sacks.  He was selected the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for October.  Porter went on to play in every game of the season.  He ended the season with:

- 51 solo tackles   - 23 assisted tackles   - 74 total tackles   - 1 interception   - 2 forced fumbles

College:

Porter attended Colorado State.  He was third - team All - American and All - Western Athletic Conference first - team selection by the sports network.  As a senior: 8 quarterback pressures, 22 career sacks, 53 tackles ( 36 solo), and 12 tackles for losses of 67 yards.  In the NCAA Division 1 - A finished third with a school single - season record - tying 15 sacks for minus 63 yards.  In 1997 he played on the defensive line for the first time after playing H - back for his first 2 seasons.  He finished the season on the defensive line with:  35 tackles (23 solo), was ranked 2nd on the team with 6 sacks for minus 39 yards and 16 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.  He ran the 40 yard dash at 4.64 sec. and majored in Exercise and Sport Science.

During his senior year at Foothills High (California) he was a two time All - Conference Selection as a wide receiver and a wingback.  Led the  team to a 9 -2 record and a birth to the state playoffs.  He rushed 86 times for 1,086 yards.  Porter, was named to the All - Section and All - State teams.  While in High School he lettered twice in Football and Basketball.  His parent's names are Debra Porter and Richard Hunter.  He has one brother and 2 sisters.  Lives in Bakersfield, California.  Full name :  Joey Eugene Porter