Pittsburgh Steelers: Antonio Brown, Troy Polamalu named to 2014 Pro Bowl team
By Matt Shetler
Despite their 7-8 record, a pair of Pittsburgh Steelers were acknowledged by their peers on Friday, as both Antonio Brown and Troy Polamalu earned Pro Bowl selections.
Brown’s record-breaking 2013 season has earned him his second Pro Bowl honor and Polamalu has been voted in for the eighth time in his career.
Dec 15, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu (43) stands on the field against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Brown, whose 1,412 yards receiving with one game remaining are a single-season Steelers record, was chosen as both a wide receiver and a punt returner. He also was selected in 2011, when he won the first of his two Steelers MVP awards; the second came this season.
He has 101 catches — eight for touchdowns — and his 94.1 yards receiving per game average is the highest in franchise history.
Polamalu is back in the Pro Bowl for the third time in four seasons, a year after being limited to only five games played because of a torn calf. He has a career-high five forced fumbles, his fifth career defensive touchdown and two sacks plus two interceptions.
This is the 13th consecutive year and the 22nd time in 25 seasons the Steelers will send multiple players to the Pro Bowl, which will be played Jan. 26 in Honolulu. Unlike previous years though, this will be the first time the Pro Bowl is played without the teams representing their conferences. Players will go into a pool and will be drafted, with no consideration to team or conference affiliations.
While Polamalu and Brown are both deserving, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger also was deserving of the honor, but was snubbed.
However if one of the three AFC quarterbacks selected- Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Philip Rivers– drop out, Big Ben will likely be the next guy added.