5 Detroit Lions Players Named to Pro Bowl, 7 Named Alternates
The Detroit Lions finally have a ton of respect in the NFL, and it feels oh-so good. The Lions, of course, are NFN North champions and have won their first division title in 30 years. They’re 11-5 (actually, we’ve really won 12 games, but that’s another story, wink, wink). Now, five Detroit Lions players have been named to the Pro Bowl, and seven have been named alternates.
Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, tight end Sam LaPorta, center Frank Ragnow, right tackle Penei Sewell and special teams star Jalen Reeves-Maybin were all announced for the Pro Bowl on Wednesday evening (Jan. 3). Those picks were chosen based on votes by NFL players, coaches and fans. The number marks the most Lions Pro Bowlers since they also had five in 2014 and finished the season 11-5.
The Pro Bowl is great, but I hope the Lions are still playing when the Pro Bowl Games take place, as it’s the weekend between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl. If the Lions are eliminated by then, seven other Detroit players who were named Pro Bowl alternates.
The alternates include receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Also, quarterback Jared Goff is a second alternate; guard Jonah Jackson is a third alternate; and running back David Montgomery and punt returner Kalif Raymond are fourth alternates. Finally, linebacker Alex Anzalone is a fifth alternate. Congratulations to all. I’m especially happy to see Hutchinson a Pro Bowler. He totally deserves it. He’s become such a focal point of our defense, and it all makes for such a feel-good, hometown boy story. In other news, NFL writer Arif Hasan joins me on “The Squad with Anne Erickson” this week to talk about all things NFL. Listen to the full discussion below. Subscribe to “The Squad with Anne Erickson” wherever you listen to podcasts, and hit me up here. The Lions vs. Vikings game is Sunday at 1 p.m. EST.