Antrel Rolle named to Pro Bowl after all

New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle was annoyed when he wasn't selected to the Pro Bowl in the first place. He ranted on Twitter that night and spoke to reporters a short time later to explain that he believed his season was as good as that of any other safety in the league and that he'd wanted to go to represent a Giants defense that was proud of the way it had performed during a disappointing season for the team.

Well, Rolle ends up getting his wish. Since Seattle Pro Bowl safety Earl Thomas is in the Super Bowl, and players whose teams are in the Super Bowl don't play in the Pro Bowl, Rolle has been named as Thomas' replacement and will go to Hawaii to play in the Pro Bowl this Sunday.

"It's never been about going to Hawaii," Rolle said in a statement released by the team Monday. "I've been to Hawaii before. I've enjoyed the festivities. I've enjoyed the honor of being a Pro Bowl safety, a Pro Bowl player. That was never what it was about. It was always about getting what I very well deserved and what I accomplished throughout the year and going out there and representing my team, the New York Giants."

It also probably doesn't hurt that Rolle's contract awards him a $100,000 bonus for being named to the Pro Bowl, which I assume he gets even though he's a late addition.

It's Rolle's third Pro Bowl. He went in 2009 as a member of the Arizona Cardinals and in 2010 as a member of the Giants. He'll be the only Giant at the Pro Bowl this year. The last time they didn't have more than one Pro Bowler was 2007.


(espn.com)