Dec 23, 2014 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – When the Steelers selected Le’Veon Bell in the second round of the 2013 draft, they envisioned him as an every-down running back.

Bell has proven that to be the case.

He was rewarded for a record-breaking season Tuesday in his second year by being named the Steelers’ Most Valuable Player in a vote by his teammates.

“This award is something (that) as a kid you always dreamed about, being the MVP of your team or one of the players that your teammates look to you and call upon, and being a playmaker and difference-maker in the game,” said Bell. “I’m so proud to be this year’s MVP. But, obviously, being the MVP is not something that I could do on my own. I had a lot of help from my teammates, especially the offensive line.”

It wasn’t the only honor Bell received. Later in the evening, he found out that he led a contingent of five Steelers selected to the Pro Bowl. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, wide receiver Antonio Brown, center Maurkice Pouncey and inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons also were chosen.

But it was Bell’s day.

Bell has had a record-setting season for the Steelers (10-5), who host Cincinnati (11-4-1) Sunday in the regular-season finale at Heinz Field.

Both teams have qualified for the postseason but the winner will be the AFC North champion.

Bell has been a big reason for the Steelers’ first playoff appearance in three seasons.

The AFC leader in rushing yards with 1,341, Bell has 774 receiving yards on 77 catches. His receiving numbers are records for a Steelers running back, as is his 2,115 total yards from scrimmage.

More important has been his play while the Steelers made their push to the playoffs. Bell has been off the field for just 14 snaps over the past five games. During that span, he has 120 carries for 594 yards, seven rushing touchdowns, and 22 receptions for 308 yards and another score.

“The things that he did this year in more than just the running game – the passing game, catching the ball, blocking – when you think of an MVP, he is a guy that should come to mind,” Roethlisberger said. “So I think it was deserved.”

Bell missed the first three games of his career with the Steelers with a foot sprain but has played in 28 consecutive games since. The Steelers’ record when he plays is 18-10.

“It motivated me,” Bell said of the injury. “I remember all I used to think was when I get back I’m going to show everybody. Because I just remember a lot people, when I was hurt, they just called me a bust or injury-prone and things like that. I’ll never say those words get to me because they really don’t. I kind of use them for motivation. I kind of use those (and say) okay, you said I couldn’t do this? Well I’m going to show you I can do this.”

There were a number of excellent candidates on a team that has had several record-setting performances.

“My vote was Antonio Brown,” Bell said. “Ben was a guy who could have won it. The offensive line really deserves it. Those guys have done everything. Me, Ben or A.B., we can’t do anything without those guys. I watch the way those guys work. I watch the way those guys practice. I watch the way they bond, how close they are (and) the way they interact. Their relationship makes us go.”

Roethlisberger is second in the NFL behind Drew Brees with a team-record 4,635 pass yards. He also has 30 touchdown passes – two short of the team record. His selection to the Pro Bowl is his third.

Brown leads the NFL with 122 receptions for 1,570 yards – both of team records – and has 12 touchdowns. No Steelers receiver has led the NFL in receptions or receiving yards in a season. The selection to the Pro Bowl is the third of Brown’s career.

Brown led all receivers in fan voting, while Bell was second among running backs.

“The support and love I’ve experienced from the fans is second to none,” Brown told the NFL Network, for whom he did a live interview from the All-Star Sports Grill in Southpointe following his weekly radio show on ESPN 970-AM.

Timmons leads the team with 130 tackles – twice as many as the next closest player – and has two sacks. The Pro Bowl selection was the first of his career.

Pouncey earned his fourth Pro Bowl trip in five seasons, missing last year because of injury.

The Steelers are 6-0 in regular-season finales at Heinz Field. … The Steelers are usually off on Tuesdays but practiced yesterday.