NFL fans, players and coaches selected three Cleveland Browns to the 2021 Pro Bowl: Left guard Joel Bitonio, running back Nick Chubb and defensive end Myles Garrett.
The Browns made the announcement Monday on their team website about the virtual event using “Madden NFL 21.”
Each group’s vote counted as one-third toward determining the 88 All-Star players.
RT to congratulate our three Pro Bowlers: @JoelBitonio, @NickChubb21 and @MylesLGarrett‼️
📰 » https://t.co/WYoOrj6G5k pic.twitter.com/QvHU1oumNU
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 22, 2020
Bitonio, 29, is the longest-tenured member of the Browns and has made the Pro Bowl for the third consecutive season.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Gene Hickerson was the Browns’ last guard to make three straight Pro Bowls.
Bitonio becomes the first Browns guard to make three straight Pro Bowls since Pro Football Hall of Fame Gene Hickerson made six in a row from 1966-1971.
“It’s always an honor and a humbling experience when you recognized by your peers, NFL coaches and the fans,” Bitonio said in a statement. “The Pro Bowl really is a team honor, especially for a lineman, and I know I wouldn’t have got this recognition without everyone else on the offensive line, everyone in that huddle and all of my teammates. I also want to thank the great fans of Cleveland who voted us.”
Bitonio has helped the Browns rank among the NFL leaders in rushes for 10-plus yards (first with 68), rushing yards (third with 2,137) and fewest sacks allowed (third with 18).
The offensive line has also helped open holes for Nick Chubb (931) and Kareem Hunt (793) become the only pair of NFL teammates this season with at least 750 rushing yards.
Chubb, 24, got named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl.
Despite missing four games this season with a knee injury, Chubb ranks fifth in the league in rushing with 931 wards.
Entering Week 16 of the 2020 regular season, Chubb ranks sixth with 10 rushing touchdowns.
Chubb also ranks second in the league with 11 rushes for 20 or more yards, and fourth in the NFL with 30 carriers for 10 or more yards.
Mike Pruitt marks the Browns’ last running back to make consecutive Pro Bowls.
Pruitt made the Pro Bowl in 1980-1981.
“I’m really happy for Myles and Joel,” Chubb said. “Everyone on the team plays a part in people being named to the Pro Bowl and I know we have lots of guys on our team that are deserving of this honor. For me, it’s all about the team, not individual honors. All of our goals are still out there in front of us and that’s what we are focused on.”
Garrett, 24, is among the NFL leaders in strip sacks (tied for first with four), fumble recoveries (tied for second with two), forced fumbles (tied for third with four) and sacks (tied for fifth with 11).
Garrett’s statistical output is especially impressive considering he missed two games after testing positive for COVID-19.
Earlier this month, Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam announced Garrett as the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year.
“This Pro Bowl nod means so much more than an individual accolade,” Garrett said. “This is due to the collective efforts of the Cleveland Browns organization and the city itself. The hard work and sacrifice of our frontline workers, city officials and so many others allowed us the opportunity to play football in front of our deserving fans in 2020. I am incredibly honored to be representing the Browns and the City of Cleveland in the Pro Bowl for the second time. I can’t wait to see where our hard work takes us next.”
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry is due to miss the Pro Bowl for the first time since his rookie season in 2014.
Despite playing this season with a broken rib, Landry has 67 catches on 95 targets for 789 yards and three touchdowns.
Cornerback Denzel Ward missed his second Pro Bowl, but it does help the Browns financially.
A second Pro Bowl selection would have made Ward’s fifth-year option for the 2022 season equal to the franchise tag.
Ward’s 2018 Pro Bowl selection means the value on his fifth-year option will be equal to the transition tag.
In the offseason, the Browns must decide whether to pick up Ward’s option.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield also did not get named to this season’s Pro Bowl.
Click or tap here to view the complete 2021 AFC and NFC Pro Bowl rosters.
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