Fansided

Alan Faneca battled epilepsy on his way to the Hall of Fame

By Mark Carman

PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 4: Offensive guard Alan Faneca #66 of the Pittsburgh Steelers blocks against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on December 4, 2005 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Bengals defeated the Steelers 38-31. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 4: Offensive guard Alan Faneca #66 of the Pittsburgh Steelers blocks against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on December 4, 2005 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Bengals defeated the Steelers 38-31. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Alan Faneca was recently inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame after playing his entire career with epilepsy.

Alan Faneca always believed in himself. For the most part. Faneca was at least slightly optimistic he could have a Hall of Fame career even when he started out as a first-round pick with Pittsburgh in 1998.

“I’m not saying I wouldn’t believe you, but I would have said I’ll take that,” Faneca told the Stacking the Box podcast when asked if he would have believed that his career would end up in Canton, OH.

Faneca had to overcome epilepsy to get there. He had his first seizure when he was 15 years old making his high school years more challenging than competing in the NFL.

“It was really early on finding the medications and what words for me dealing with everything in high school on top of that,” Faneca recalled. “Those were the toughest times for me. Once I found the right medication I was really lucky as long as I take it and am religious about it I am ok.”

Faneca was fortunate to never have a seizure around the football field. He had a fierce bearded appearance in the NFL as opposed to the clean-shaven high school coach that he is today at Frank W. Cox in Virginia Beach, VA.

“I really don’t associate with that guy anymore besides the memories because it just doesn’t look like me anymore,” Faneca said.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Alan Faneca beacon of light for epilepsy community

Faneca had a lengthy career mostly with Pittsburgh before stops with the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals retiring in 2010. He competed with and against Ben Roethlisberger and Tom Brady who are beginning yet another season.

“I do think about that,” Faneca said. “Those guys are still out there playing. It’s been a long time since I touched the grass in a stadium. They are fortunate enough to play positions where you are able to pull that off if you take care of your body.”

Faneca has some experience playing with old quarterbacks holding off father time. His first season with the Jets’, 39-year old Brett Favre was creating a huddle experience different than the norm.

“I don’t know if you compare Brett in the huddle to anybody,” Faneca said. “He is just in there laughing hully gully drawing stuff up on the field going at his own rate– hey give me this –just trying to make things happen and usually it’s always right. When you hear why he did it afterwards he is just thinking on another plane.”

So who would you rather spend time with, Ben or Brett?

“Ben and I on an island, we probably get along really good,” Faneca said. “Brett, we might laugh it up, but I don’t know maybe two months in I might be Brett shut up man I need some time to myself today.”

Faneca could take that time to reflect upon a Hall of Fame career he created while playing with epilepsy.

Alan Faneca spoke to FanSided on behalf of STEPS Toward Zero to help educate people with epilepsy. If you’ve been diagnosed with epilepsy and want to share your story or journey on social media, include hashtag #StepsTowardZero and STZ will donate $1 to the Epilepsy Foundation of America. For more information on the STEPS Toward Zero campaign, visit STEPSTowardZero.com.