INDIANAPOLIS —
Despite a team record of 2-13 heading into the final week of the National Football League regular season, there was some good news coming out of the Indianapolis Colts’ West 56th Street facility Tuesday night.
Defensive end Dwight Freeney earned his seventh Pro Bowl selection when the AFC and NFC teams were announced. Freeney is the lone Colts player to be picked to the NFL’s annual all-star game, which is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 29, at Honolulu’s Aloha Stadium.
It’s the fewest number of Indianapolis players to be selection to the Pro Bowl since former running back Marshall Faulk was the franchise’s only representative in 1997. The Colts, though, have had at least one player selected to the Pro Bowl for 14 straight seasons (1998-2011).
“It is always an honor to be selected to the Pro Bowl by the fans and your peers,” Freeney said in a statement released by the team. “No matter how many times you get picked, it is always special and something that I will always cherish.
“This is something that is not just a personal goal, but an achievement for this team. You do not get there by yourself and it is a credit to my teammates and coaches. I want to thank all of the fans and fellow players who selected me and all of my coaches and teammates who have made this possible.”
In 15 games this season, Freeney has totaled 18 tackles, 7.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He has posted three multiple-sack games in 2011 to give him 25 for his career. Freeney recorded two sacks against Baltimore and became the 26th player in NFL history to reach 100 sacks during his career.
“Dwight has been a prolific performer since his arrival here with the Colts,” coach Jim Caldwell said in a statement. “He has the tenacity, competitiveness, physical aspects and intellect required to be voted by his peers as a member of this prestigious fraternity. Dwight’s selection to the Pro Bowl is well deserved.”
There is still a chance that a couple other Indianapolis players may be added to the AFC roster later as alternates, such as middle linebacker Pat Angerer and wide receiver Reggie Wayne. Angerer was among the leaders at the linebacker position during the fan portion of the voting process.
It’s the seventh time in Colts franchise history that only one player was selected to the Pro Bowl (1973, 1974, 1979, 1983, 1994, 1998, 2011). The team did not have any Pro Bowl selections in 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1991, 1993 or 1997.
• Most Pro Bowl selections in Colts history — 11, DE-Gino Marchetti, 1954-64; 11, QB-Peyton Manning, 1999-2000, 02-10;10, QB-John Unitas, 1957-64, 66-67; 8, OG/T-Jim Parker, 1958-65; 8, WR-Marvin Harrison, 1999-2006; 7, RB-Lenny Moore, 1956, 58-62, 64; 7, DE-Dwight Freeney, 2003-05, 08-11; 6, OG/T-Chris Hinton, 1983-89; 6, WR-Raymond Berry, 1958-61, 63-64; 5, WR-Reggie Wayne, 2006-10; 5, TE-John Mackey, 1963, 65-68; 4, RB-Alan Ameche, 1955-58; 4, C-Ray Donaldson, 1986-89.
• Consecutive Pro Bowl nominations — 11, DE-Gino Marchetti, 1954-64; 9, QB-Peyton Manning, 2002-10; 8, QB-John Unitas, 1957-64; 8, OG/T-Jim Parker, 1958-65; 8, WR-Marvin Harrison, 1999-2006; 6, OG/T-Chris Hinton, 1983-89; 5, RB-Lenny Moore, 1958-62; 5, WR-Reggie Wayne, 2006-10; 4, RB-Alan Ameche, 1955-58; 4, WR-Raymond Berry, 1958-61; 4, TE-John Mackey, 1965-68; 4, C-Ray Donaldson, 1986-89; 4, DE-Dwight Freeney, 2008-11.
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