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SPORTS Saturday 4 January 2020
McCaffrey a double All-Pro pick; Gilmore, Thomas unanimous

By BARRY WILNER
AP Pro Football Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Christian
McCaffrey's versatility and
superb statistics helped him
to a rare double: The Caro-
lina Panthers running back
has made The Associated
Press NFL All-Pro Team at
two positions.
McCaffrey rushed for 1,387
yards and 15 touchdowns
while catching a phenom-
enal 116 passes for 1,005
yards and four TDs. He be-
came the third player in
NFL history to finish with
1,000 yards rushing and
1,000 yards receiving in the
same season, joining Hall of
Famer Marshall Faulk and
Roger Craig, who is on the
senior ballot for the hall this
year.
That so impressed the 50
members of a nationwide Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) runs as
Carl Granderson (96) reaches for the tackle during the second
media panel who regularly half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 29,
cover the NFL for McCaf- 2019.
frey to be voted the first- Associated Press
team running back and
the top flex player. The "When you get on the field er repeated from 2018.
flex position was created and you get to the speed The other newcomers were
in 2016 to reward players of what they run, it's tough,'' Humphrey; 49ers tight end
who epitomize the way of- says Weddle, a former All- George Kittle; Ravens left
fense is now played in pro Pro. "I mean, some of the tackle Ronnie Stanley;
football. Not one fits that plays I didn't know who Saints right tackle Ryan
description better than Mc- had the ball because they Ramczyk; Steelers edge
Caffrey, whose terrific sea- run it so efficiently. (Jack- rusher T.J. Watt; Saints line-
son came for a 5-11 team. son) is one of a kind; he's backer Demario Davis; Vi-
"It means a lot,'' says Mc- pretty special." kings LB Eric Kendricks; Bills
Caffrey, a third-year pro. This special class includes cornerback Tre'Davious
"It is a big honor and that several multiple All-Pros: White; safeties Jamal Ad-
is something that you don't Rams DT Aaron Donald ams of the Jets and Minkah
work hard for it, but when it and Seahawks LB Bobby Fitzpatrick of the Steelers; Ti-
comes you are really grate- Wagner, each for a fifth tans punter Brett Kern; and
ful and appreciative." time; Cowboys right guard Saints punt returner Deonte
McCaffrey's achievement Zack Martin and Ravens Harris, the only rookie on
was complemented by kicker Justin Tucker for a the team.
the unanimous selections fourth time. "When you got here and
of New Orleans receiver Bears kick returner Cordar- people start talking about
Michael Thomas and New relle Patterson made his All-Pro and that's the best
England cornerback Ste- third All-Pro roster, as did of the best, you're like 'Pro
phon Gilmore. It's the sec- Eagles center Jason Kelce Bowl is cool, but I need to
ond straight season both and Texans receiver DeAn- get the best of the best.,''
made the squad, Thomas dre Hopkins. says Wagner, who led the
doing it with an NFL-record All-Pros for the second time NFL in tackles this season.
149 catches, Gilmore an- included Thomas, Gilm- "As you get older you kind
choring the league's top- ore, Cardinals edge rusher of understand how hard
ranked defense. Chandler Jones, Steelers these things are to get.
Ravens sensation Lamar DT Cam Heyward, Patri- And so you don't take any
Jackson, who in his second ots special teamer Mat- of them for granted and
season led Baltimore to a thew Slater, Colts left guard are very grateful for your
league-best 14-2 mark, was Quenton Nelson, and Ra- health, grateful for your
chosen as quarterback. vens defensive back Mar- teammates. As you get
Jackson and McCaffrey cus Peters, who shared that older you reflect and you
were among 14 first-time spot with the teammate appreciate things differ-
All-Pros. Marlon Humphrey and ently that you might not
Rams safety Eric Weddle, the Chiefs' Tyrann Mathieu have had when you were
who witnessed the jukes (second appearance). young."
and jaunts of Jackson Thomas, Gilmore, Nelson, Ramczyk once played Di-
firsthand in a 45-6 Ravens Hopkins, Kelce, Martin, vision III college ball. Now
romp. Donald, Wagner and Tuck- look at him.q