A look at the ten Steelers in the Pro Bowl

by Joe Kuzma (joe_kuzma) on January 26, 2018

I know, I know. The Pro Bowl. Not the Super Bowl. Groaning and eye-rolling. Got it.

Now that that’s out of the way, there is some (very low quality) football being played this weekend, in a game that’s intended (yes) to be an honor to play in.

The week vacation players get to take with their families and spend having some fun playing a game they get paid for usually comes off as hokey and a joke. Regardless, the prestige of being named one of the best at your position among a sea of professional players is still a distinction I don’t believe people should take lightly.

I understand the game isn’t really a game, but making a Pro Bowl roster is quite the achievement for these players. Several Steelers, ten of them to be exact, were named to this year’s AFC team. In addition, Mike Tomlin and his Pittsburgh Steelers staff will coach the AFC side, which almost looks like the Steelers starting offense.

In fact, the Steelers finished with a league-high ten Pro Bowl representatives (following their league-high eight selections before two replacements were added).

Here’s a list of Pittsburgh players who will be seen in Orlando this weekend, followed by some comments on their season and a full list of all of the players selected as well as their replacements.

Embed from Getty Images

Antonio Brown

AB continues his excellence by being named to not only his fourth-straight Pro Bowl but also a fourth-straight All-Pro team.

Brown had 1,533 receiving yards in 14 games this season on 101 receptions. While missing two games, he still led the league in receiving yards, but fell to fifth in receptions (Jarvis Landry, 112).

Alejandro Villanueva

This is Villanueva’s first Pro Bowl appearance, spurned mostly by his popularity as a former Army Ranger.

In fact, at one point, several Steelers led their positions in fan voting (only Tyler Matakevich failed to be named to the AFC side).

#Steelers

RB Le'Veon Bell (@L_Bell26)

WR Antonio Brown (@AB84)

T Alejandro Villanueva

G David DeCastro

C Maurkice Pouncey (@MaurkicePouncey)

ILB Ryan Shazier (@RyanShazier)

ST Tyler Matakevich (@44_Matakevich)

finished 1st at their position in 2018 AFC Pro Bowl fan voting

— Dom Rinelli (@drinelli) December 16, 2017

David DeCastro

DeCastro once again makes the Pro Bowl, his third-straight selection, but also returns to the All-Pro team for a second time (his first was in 2015).

Maurkice Pouncey

Pouncey returns for his third-straight Pro Bowl bid as well. The Steelers center played in all but one game this season, as he sat in the season finale like many of his peers.

Embed from Getty Images

Le’Veon Bell

Bell fell 36 yards short of the league’s rushing title, as he sat for the final game of the season against Cleveland. His 85 catches ranked tenth overall among ALL players, only three shy of Falcons WR Julio Jones (who played all 16 games this year).

This is Bell’s second consecutive Pro Bowl selection. He was also named an All-Pro for 2017.

Bell led all vote-getters in Pro Bowl fan voting with 855,539 votes.

Ben Roethlisberger

Big Ben had a big year, throwing for 4,251 yards and completing 64.2% of his passes. His 28 touchdowns were sixth overall this season, while his passing yards were fifth.

A deserving selection, this is Roethlisberger’s fourth straight Pro Bowl nod.

Ryan Shazier

Replaced by Browns LB Joe Schobert

Shazier was on his way to a legitimate Pro Bowl season before a tragic injury removed him from the field in this twelfth game of the year.

Shazier was a Pro Bowl alternate last season but had a huge year matching a career season-high with three interceptions, forcing two fumbles, and surpassing his career tackle total with 68.

Due to his injury, he will not be playing in the game. Nonetheless, the honor is fitting.

Embed from Getty Images

Chris Boswell

Here’s one you don’t see often: a Steelers kicker in the Pro Bowl.

Boswell was named to his first Pro Bowl team, after converting a franchise record 35 of 38 field goals, with four of those coming from 50+ yards and several of the kicks being game-winners.

Boswell also set a Steelers record for the most points in a single-season with 142.

Cameron Heyward

Replaces Raiders DE Khalil Mack

After leading the league’s sack leading team with a dozen sacks of his own, Heyward was an obvious snub from the original Pro Bowl picks.

It’s not only Heyward’s first Pro Bowl nod, but he was also named as a First-Team All-Pro for his huge year.

Roosevelt Nix

Replaces Patriots FB James Develin

The final addition to the convoy of Steelers participating in the events in Orlando is first-time Pro Bowl participant fullback Rosy Nix. We all know that he’s tough as nails, but Nix surprised us with this clutch catch.

About the Pro Bowl

The game is scheduled to kickoff from Camping World Stadium in Orlando at 3 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN.

You can see the entire roster for both the AFC and NFC below.

AFC Pro Bowl Roster

Offense

Wide receiver: Antonio Brown*, Steelers; DeAndre Hopkins*, Texans; A.J. Green, Bengals; Keenan Allen, Chargers
Tackle: Alejandro Villanueva*, Steelers; Taylor Lewan*, Titans; Donald Penn, Raiders;
Guard: Kelechi Osemele*, Raiders; David DeCastro*, Steelers; Richie Incognito, Bills
Center: Maurkice Pouncey*, Steelers; Rodney Hudson, Raiders
Tight end: Travis Kelce*, Chiefs; Rob Gronkowski, Patriots
Quarterback: Tom Brady*, Patriots; Philip Rivers, Chargers; Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
Running back: Le’Veon Bell*, Steelers; Kareem Hunt, Chiefs; LeSean McCoy, Bills
Fullback: James Develin*, Patriots

Defense

Defense end: Joey Bosa*, Chargers; Calais Campbell*, Jaguars; Khalil Mack, Raiders
Interior linemen: Geno Atkins*, Bengals; Jurrell Casey*, Titans; Malik Jackson, Jaguars
Outside linebacker: Von Miller*, Broncos; Jadeveon Clowney*, Texans; Terrell Suggs, Ravens
Inside/middle linebacker: C.J. Mosley*, Ravens; Ryan Shazier, Steelers
Cornerback: A.J. Bouye*, Jaguars; Jalen Ramsey*, Jaguars; Aqib Talib, Broncos; Casey Hayward, Chargers
Free safety: Eric Weddle*, Ravens
Strong safety: Reshad Jones*, Dolphins; Micah Hyde, Bills