COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR From insurance agency to the NFL

Quarterback Tommy Maddox has been an unexpected star for the Steelers.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Nobody ever did a comeback like Tommy Maddox did.
Previous NFL Comeback Players of the Year overcame injuries, adversity, trades or somebody's talent misevaluation. Never before had a winner overcome league-wide disinterest and a layoff that lasted longer than many players' careers.
Maddox easily beat Miami running back Robert Edwards in voting by NFL writers and broadcasters.
It was startling enough when Maddox became the starting quarterback four games into the season, 10 years after making his only four previous starts as a Denver Broncos rookie.
Just as unexpected was how well Maddox played once he finally got a chance -- namely, like a seasoned, polished pro with a decade's worth of experience, not one who spent nearly that long trying to find regular employment.
Receiver's praise
When Steelers receiver Plaxico Burress first saw Maddox's accurate passes zipping his way, hitting him in full stride, "It was love at first sight."
"I think I definitely have the longest period between starts of any NFL player and, probably, I sat out the longest of anyone since coming back, but it's just something else to add to my book someday," Maddox said. "It's been exciting. It's been a different journey."
That journey from first-round draft pick to four-time NFL reject to insurance agent to Arena Football and XFL star to NFL starter, as coach Bill Cowher said, "A great story -- a great life story."
Maddox didn't play a down in the NFL from 1995 until last season, when the Steelers were the only team to answer his fax seeking a tryout following his MVP season in the XFL.
"That was probably the biggest thing, just wondering if you ever would get a chance," said Maddox, who spent part of his NFL layoff as a volunteer high school coach. "Probably as the years went on, those chances seemed slim."
As slim as replacing 2001 Steelers MVP Kordell Stewart at quarterback. But when Stewart flopped during Pittsburgh's 0-2 start, Maddox replaced him in the fourth quarter to lead a dramatic overtime victory over Cleveland on Sept. 29.
Now, he will make his first career playoff start against the Browns on Sunday.
With Maddox at quarterback, the Steelers threw for more than 4,000 yards for the first time, including his team-record 473 yards against Atlanta. Burress and Hines Ward each made more than 1,300 yards in receptions.
"Sometimes it is about being in the right place at the right time, and having the mindset that if you want something bad enough, you will continue to pursue it," Cowher said.
Maddox's impossible-to-script story includes a comeback within a comeback.
Stinging hit
He was paralyzed briefly by a seemingly routine hit in Tennessee on Nov. 17, perhaps the scariest injury of the NFL season. The game was stopped for 20 minutes as Maddox, unable to move his arms and legs, was carefully strapped to a backboard.
Remarkably, he needed less than two days to get over his spinal cord and head injuries and returned to start Pittsburgh's final four games.
Now, the 31-year-old Maddox wants to prove he's no one-year wonder. The Steelers, who will probably trade or release Stewart after the season, seem willing to give him that chance.
Maddox also hopes to extend another remarkable streak. He could become the fourth quarterback in as many seasons to come off the bench to start for the Super Bowl winner, following Tom Brady (New England), Trent Dilfer (Baltimore) and Kurt Warner (St. Louis).