Flacco, Sanders excited to be first-time Pro Bowlers

SAN FRANCISCO–During his 18-year NFL career, quarterback Joe Flacco Have done almost everything.

He has won a Super Bowl, won Super Bowl MVP, earned 2023 AP Comeback Player of the Year, started for three-quarters of AFC North teams and played in 209 career games.

However, until last week, there was one thing Flacco had not experienced: a Pro Bowl.

But after 18 seasons, the 41-year-old got the call he was waiting for when he was nominated. NFL All-Star Game As a replacement quarterback for the AFC squad, Joe will take over NFC Tuesday 8 PM ET (ESPN).

“[Bengals coach] jack [Taylor] “Called me, and he was trying to let me know about it, and I said if it happens I’ll be in,” Flacco said before his first practice Monday morning. “I don’t think it’s a goal that you really think about in the forefront of your mind, but it’s definitely something that’s in the back of your mind that you want to do.”

Flacco is one of 29 Pro Bowlers selected for the game for the first time, but according to the Elias Sports Information Bureau, no one in league history has had to wait as long as Flacco for his first Pro Bowl selection.

For most of his career, Flacco faced stiff competition in the AFC with players such as Tom Brady and Peyton Manning claiming at least two quarterback spots. pittsburgh steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger and the Chargers signal-caller philip rivers Made it even harder. Although Flacco’s Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII in a game in which Flacco won game MVP honors, Manning and Brady beat him out for a Pro Bowl spot.

Flacco said, “I always wanted to be one of those three guys that get elected.” “I try to tell people that Tom and Peyton held those positions – at least two of them – the longest.”

Flacco found the spot as a replacement after all three AFC quarterbacks named to the initial roster either could not play or withdrew. patriot quarterback drake may He is not participating because he is in Super Bowl LX (Sunday, 6:30 pm ET, NBC), while both josh allen And Justin Herbert Struggling with injuries last season.

Flacco was the second AFC replacement quarterback named to the roster after onetime cleveland browns TeamMite shadure sandersJoe was 6 years old in 2008 when Flacco was drafted 18th overall Baltimore RavensA call came a few days ago. Another teammate of Flacco cincinnati bengals quarterback joe burroWhen the veteran entered the league at the age of 12, he was even named to the Pro Bowl as the last replacement.

Sanders, who received his first Pro Bowl nod during his rookie season, didn’t miss an opportunity to poke fun at Flacco before Monday’s practice.

Responding to a question about what he hopes to gain from the Pro Bowl experience, Sanders said, “I’ve already gotten it.” “Talking to a lot of great players, shooting and Joe Flacco, again, with the same sweatpants he wore in practice, everything.”

Although the nod came late for Flacco’s liking, for Flacco, being named to his first Pro Bowl means his children, four sons and a daughter, ranging in age from 7 to 13, are especially excited about the experience.

“I think it’s really cool right now, because I have guys that are super interested in being here and being around, so it’s a lot of fun,” Flacco said.

like flacco, denver broncos offensive lineman Garrett Boles There are first-time Pro Bowlers, although the 2017 first-round selection had to wait only half as long as quarterbacks to get the call.

“I didn’t start my career the way I wanted to, but I’m finishing it the way I wanted to, and that’s the most important thing,” Bowles said. “I have a quote – it doesn’t matter how you start, it matters how you finish. So you’ve got to keep working hard, you’ve got to keep working. Eventually your name will be called.”

And like Flacco, Bowles said he enjoyed the timing of the selection because of the opportunity to make memories with his child.

“He’s at the age where he enjoys it and he loves it,” Bowles said of his 9-year-old son, Kingston. “For him to be here and embrace it — and he loves getting all the swag. So he’s excited to be here and be with all the people, but he loves football and having my son who knows what dad does and loving it and being my friend, it’s amazing.”

Before Sunday’s practice, Boles threw a pass to Kingston, who was only 4 months old when Boles was drafted by the Broncos, in the end zone. Laughing, Kingston dropped the football and ran away from his father, weaving between the other Pro Bowlers scattered across the field.

“It’s wonderful for my kids and my wife to be here,” Boles said. “Being here with him and seeing him enjoy it, hanging out with everybody. Everybody is so kind and sweet to him. He knows everybody. He’s always like, ‘Oh, it’s jonathan taylor For the Colts.’ So he knows all the numbers, he knows all the people. So it’s fun that he enjoys what daddy does and is here with him. He will remember this for the rest of his life.”