The Carolina Panthers are the best team in the NFL, so it’s only natural that they would have a considerable amount of players elected to the Pro-Bowl. This year 10 were selected – a record number for the team and the most in the NFL. Carolina’s selectees were:
Cam Newton – Quarterback
Jonathan Stewart – Running Back
Mike Tolbert – Fullback
Greg Olsen – Tight End
Trai Turner – Guard
Ryan Kahlil – Center
Luke Kuechly – Inside/Middle Linebacker
Josh Norman – Cornerback
Kawaan Short – Interior Lineman
Thomas Davis – Outside Linebacker
Cam Newton received the most total votes behind Tom Brady, while Jonathan Stewart, Trai Turner, Josh Norman, Kawaan Short and Thomas David were all first-time selections.
“It’s truly an honor to be selected to the Pro Bowl,” Davis said. “All the hard work and dedication I’ve put into the game has paid off. I’m extremely excited and I couldn’t be more thankful to the fans who took their time to vote me in, as well as my fellow players and coaches.
“To have 10 guys selected says a lot about our team. It says a lot about our fans and how highly they thought of us this season, and I think it says a lot about the way our season has gone. I’m excited and thankful to be part of the 10.”
Even thought it’s an honor, and one that can’t be taken away, none of the players selected would like to play in the January 31st game.
“No,” Kalil said when asked about Hawaii. “I want to go to the Super Bowl.”
“Obviously it’s always a good honor,” Olsen said. “But we have bigger things on our mind.”
QUARTERBACKS (6)
Tom Brady, New England
Cam Newton, Carolina
Carson Palmer, Arizona
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh
Russell Wilson, Seattle
WIDE RECEIVERS (8)
Odell Beckham, Jr., New York Giants
Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona
A.J. Green, Cincinnati
DeAndre Hopkins, Houston
Calvin Johnson, Detroit
Julio Jones, Atlanta
Brandon Marshall, New York Jets
RUNNING BACKS (6)
Devonta Freeman, Atlanta
Todd Gurley, St. Louis
Doug Martin, Tampa Bay
LeSean McCoy, Buffalo
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota
Jonathan Stewart, Carolina
FULLBACKS (2)
Marcel Reece, Oakland
Mike Tolbert, Carolina
TIGHT ENDS (4)
Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati
Rob Gronkowski, New England
Travis Kelce, Kansas City
Greg Olsen, Carolina
TACKLES (6)
Jason Peters, Philadelphia
Tyron Smith, Dallas
Joe Staley, San Francisco
Joe Thomas, Cleveland
Andrew Whitworth, Cincinnati
Trent Williams, Washington
GUARDS (6)
David DeCastro, Pittsburgh
Mike Iupati, Arizona
Zack Martin, Dallas
Josh Sitton, Green Bay
Trai Turner, Carolina
Marshal Yanda, Baltimore
CENTERS (4)
Travis Frederick, Dallas
Ryan Kalil, Carolina
Alex Mack, Cleveland
Mike Pouncey, Miami
———
DEFENSEDEFENSIVE ENDS (6)
Ezekiel Ansah, Detroit
Michael Bennett, Seattle
Chandler Jones, New England
Khalil Mack, Oakland
J.J. Watt, Houston
Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets
INSIDE/MIDDLE LINEBACKERS (4)
NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco
Luke Kuechly, Carolina
Clay Matthews, Green Bay
Bobby Wagner, Seattle
CORNERBACKS (8)
* Malcolm Butler, New England
Chris Harris, Jr., Denver
* Josh Norman, Carolina
* Marcus Peters, Kansas City
Patrick Peterson, Arizona
Darrelle Revis, New York Jets
Richard Sherman, Seattle
Aqib Talib, Denver
INTERIOR LINEMEN (6)
Geno Atkins, Cincinnati
Calais Campbell, Arizona
Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia
Aaron Donald, St. Louis
Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay
Kawann Short, Carolina / FREE SAFETIES (3)
Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona
Reggie Nelson, Cincinnati
Earl Thomas, Seattle
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (6)
Jamie Collins, New England
Thomas Davis, Carolina
Tamba Hali, Kansas City
Justin Houston, Kansas City
Von Miller, Denver
DeMarcus Ware, Denver
STRONG SAFETIES (3)
Eric Berry, Kansas City
Kam Chancellor, Seattle
———
SPECIALISTSPUNTERS (2)
Sam Koch, Baltimore
Johnny Hekker, St. Louis
RETURN SPECIALISTS (2)
Tyler Lockett, Seattle
Darren Sproles, Philadelphia
PLACEKICKERS (2)
Dan Bailey, Dallas
Stephen Gostkowski, New England
SPECIAL TEAMERS (2)
Justin Bethel, Arizona
Matthew Slater, New England
