Tuesday night brought news of the 2020 Pro Bowl rosters in the NFL and as a surprise to none, Notre Dame was well-represented as four former Fighting Irish football players were named to the NFL All-Star rosters.
Perhaps the least surprising news is that three of the four players to earn a berth to the Pro Bowl make their living on the offensive line.
It’s becoming a late December tradition but Nick Martin, right guard of the Dallas Cowboys was named to his sixth straight Pro Bowl on Tuesday. Martin has made the game each of his six years in the league.
Joining him at the guard position will be Quenton Nelson of the Indianapolis Colts. Nelson has transformed the Colts from having one of the poorest offensive line units in the league to one of the better ones and will be participating in his second Pro Bowl of his two-year NFL career.
Finally, Ronnie Stanley who we discussed more thoroughly just a few days ago because of his truly elite pass blocking grades is headed to his first ever Pro Bowl. He is one of a record 12 Baltimore Ravens to be selected for the game, a game he very well could miss since his Ravens appear to be the best thing going in the NFL right now and could very well be getting ready for the Super Bowl on Pro Bowl Sunday.
And defensively Harrison Smith of the Minnesota Vikings is headed to the Pro Bowl for the fifth season in a row. Smith has again been a bright spot on a Vikings team that has seen the rest of it’s secondary begin to a look a little long in the tooth this season. Smith has picked off three opponents passes this season while forcing and recovering a couple of fumbles each as well.
The 2020 Pro Bowl will take place at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on January 26.