|
 Running back Jamaal Charles and outside linebackers Tamba Hali and
Justin Houston were among the Kansas City choices, while running
back Frank Gore, tight end Vernon Davis and inside linebacker
Patrick Willis got the nod for San Francisco.
Willis earned his seventh call-up to the All-Star roster, becoming
the first player from the 49ers to accomplish the feat in each of
his first seven seasons.
"It's truly a blessing," Willis, a six-time All-Pro, said in a
statement. "I couldn't do it without my team mates and my coaches. I
have the best team mates in the world and I love playing with those
guys.
"I thank my team mates, the fans who voted for me, the other players
who voted for me and the coaches. I just thank everybody who had a
part in it."
Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos, one of six quarterbacks
selected, earned his 13th call-up after receiving the most votes
(1.43 million) from the fans. New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees was
second with 1.2 million votes.
[to top of second column] |
The other quarterbacks selected were Tom Brady (New England
Patriots), Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers), Philip Rivers (San
Diego Chargers) and Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks).
Selection of 86 of the 88 Pro Bowl players was made through
consensus votes by fans, players and coaches. The remaining two
players were long-snappers selected by Pro Bowl coaches.
The 2014 Pro Bowl, to be played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu on
January 26, will be the first "unconferenced" edition in a
significantly revised format.
Instead of the familiar American Football Conference versus
National Football Conference match-up, which had existed from
1971, players were selected without any regard for their
conference.
(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles;
editing by
John O'Brien)
[© 2013 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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