Steelers' Harrison named Defensive Player of Year

1/5/2009

NEW YORK James Harrison, the best player on the NFL s best defense, has won The Associated Press 2008 Defensive Player of the Year award.

The linebacker who had a career-high 16 sacks, setting a team record, and led the NFL with a career-high seven forced fumbles, beat Dallas DeMarcus Ware in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters announced Monday. Pittsburgh s latest version of the Steel Curtain was the league s stingiest in total defense, pass defense and points allowed.

Harrison earned 22 votes to 13 for Ware.