Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was selected as a Pro Bowl starter Tuesday.
The selection is the first for Haynesworth.
Two other former University of Tennessee stars were selected to the Pro Bowl. Dallas tight end Jason Witten was named a starter and Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning was chosen as a backup.
Despite missing three games — all losses by the Titans — with a sore right hamstring, Haynesworth leads all AFC tackles with six sacks.
This season has been a complete transformation for Haynesworth, who was suspended five games last season for stepping on the helmet-less head of Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode. Haynesworth was the AFC’s leading vote-getter among fans at his position.
“It doesn’t matter if it is the sixth year, tenth year or second year, being invited to the Pro Bowl is a great honor and privilege, and I’m just humbled that I have the chance to go,” Haynesworth said.
Asked if people focused on his play, Haynesworth said they couldn’t not notice.
“The season I wanted to have this year was one to rewrite the history books on me, so that people would remember me as a good football player, not for what happened last year, having the longest suspension,” Haynesworth said.
The AFC and NFC squads are made up of the consensus votes of fans, players and coaches, with each group’s vote counting one-third toward the 43-man rosters.
Manning has made it to Hawaii eight times in 10 seasons and is closing in on yet another 4,000-yard, 30-touchdown season. He’s also moving up the NFL career charts, ranking fourth in career TD passes (303) and ninth in yards passing (41,220).
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Comments » 5
thesavageorange writes:
These 2 are beasts'.Witten is one of my alltime favorite players.Big Al missed 3 games w/ the Titans and they got killed in the running game.Man we haven't had 2 guys like that in a while.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Too bad that both of 'em can't come back to finish up their eligibility. We sure could use 'em on both sides of the ball.
Congratulations to both Vols!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Congrats! We miss your ilk!
andefromtn#212139 writes:
Congratulations to all 3 former UT players. What an honour to go to the PRO Bowl. They have all had excellent years and for Albert to redeem himself with his performance this season is outstanding. It's great to see him turn around his behavior.
CoverOrange writes:
PD, "ilk" is typically not used as a flattering term to describe a type of person.
Saw Witten play this past weekend. Simply awesome.
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