Page 19 - ARUBA TODAY

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SPORTS Saturday 5 January 2019
AP All-Pro team has Kansas City

accent: Mahomes, 3 teammates

By BARRY WILNER ing against the best play- even better at, it's exciting."
AP Pro Football Writer ers," Jason said. "And for The All-Pro team was split: 14
NEW YORK (AP) — From a both of us to be recognized AFC and 14 NFC members.
breakthrough quarterback as one of those guys is pret- There were 16 newcomers:
to a unanimous choice. ty special." Mahomes; Schwartz; Fuller;
From two brothers to four Joining Nelson and Leon- Jackson; Cohen; Saints re-
rookies for the first time — ard as rookies on the team ceiver Michael Thomas;
two from the same club, were Seahawks punter Mi- Packers left tackle David
no less. The Associated chael Dickson and Char- Bakhtiari; Eagles interior In this Dec. 30, 2018, file photo, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback
Press 2018 All-Pro Team has gers safety Derwin James. defensive lineman Fletcher Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a touchdown pass to wide receiv-
something for everyone. "These are the kind of guys Cox; Patriots cornerback er Demarcus Robinson, unseen, during the second half of an NFL
Patrick Mahomes and who have the DNA, the Stephon Gilmore; Chargers football game against the Oakland Raiders, in Kansas City, Mo.
Associated Press
three other Kansas City makeup of everything that defensive back Desmond
Chiefs players made the we are looking for," Colts King and special teamer
squad Friday. coach Frank Reich said of Adrian Phillips; Jets kick re-
They were joined by the first Nelson and Leonard. "All turner Andre Roberts; and
rookie teammates since the intangibles, all the char- the four rookies.
1965 — Colts guard left acter qualities, everything Players with previous All-Pro
Quenton Nelson and line- about them. It's a really honors who made the 2018
backer Darius Leonard. The hard filter to get through to team included Donald and
last time that occurred it get marked that way and Seahawks linebacker Bob-
was two future Hall of Fam- both Quenton and Darius by Wagner, each for the
ers, the Bears' Dick Butkus had that on their card. So fourth time; Mack, Dallas
and Gale Sayers. that says something about right guard Zack Martin and
Rams defensive tackle their maturity and how fast Ravens kicker Justin Tucker,
Aaron Donald was the only we think they will develop." each for the third time; Hill;
unanimous choice in ballot- And already have devel- Rams running back Todd
ing by a nationwide panel oped. Gurley; and Texans receiv-
of 50 media members who Chicago also had four All- er DeAndre Hopkins.
regularly cover the league. Pros: edge rusher Khalil "I think I really took a lot of
"That's surreal," Donald said. Mack, cornerback Kyle pride in leadership," said
"It's a blessing. Wow! You Fuller, safety Eddie Jackson Wagner, who drew 49
see the hard work pay off. and punt returner Tarik Co- votes. "I knew that was go-
"A lot of credit to my team- hen. ing to be big if we were go-
mates and my coaches for Two players made All-Pro ing to be successful. I knew
pushing me and helping for the fifth time: Houston I was going to have to up
me." edge rusher J.J. Watt and my role in that, up my mind-
Mahomes, Kansas City's Carolina linebacker Luke fulness in that. I was really
second-year sensation, Kuechly. conscious of that and just
drew 45 votes at quarter- "It means a lot to get back making sure I was, when it
back and was joined by to the top level of the came to getting back to
teammates Travis Kelce game," said Watt, who the defense I looked at it
at tight end, Tyreek Hill as missed most of the 2016 from a different lens."
the flex player and Mitchell and '17 seasons with ma- Hopkins got the most votes
Schwartz at right tackle. jor injuries. "Obviously, it's on offense with 46.
Kelce's brother, Eagles cen- an extreme honor to be "This is validation," Hopkins
ter Jason, also made the a first-team All-Pro, espe- said. "I feel like these peo-
team. cially after what I've been ple are the people who
"For me and my brother to through the last two years actually know football,
both get it, it's that much and hearing the things that who study football, who
more special because I still people were saying and have been around football
remember us in the back- questioning myself at times. for years. So to be on this
yard fighting with each oth- "To be able to get back to list and to be first team is a
er, playing football grow- the top level of the game great feeling. But it makes
ing up and we envisioned and know that I still have me want to work harder
each other competing at things to improve on and and continue to be on that
the highest level, compet- things that I want to get list."q