Pair will make their Pro Bowl debuts alongside teammate Johnathan Joseph
HOUSTON – Houston Texans C Chris Myers and DE Antonio Smith were added to the 2012 AFC Pro Bowl roster today. It is the first Pro Bowl appearance for both Myers and Smith, who will join teammate CB Johnathan Joseph on the AFC roster for the NFL's all-star event in Honolulu, Hawaii on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. CT. The AFC squad will be led by Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak and his staff.
Myers (6-4, 289) is the first offensive lineman in franchise history to earn a trip to the Pro Bowl. The seventh-year veteran started all 18 regular season and postseason games for Houston's second-ranked rushing offense. Led by Myers, the offensive line paved the way for 11 100-yard rushing performances and a franchise-record 2,448 yards rushing (153.0 per game) in the regular season. Myers has started 64 consecutive regular season games at center for the Texans since being traded to the team from Denver in 2008. He is replacing Pittsburgh C Maurkice Pouncey, who is not playing due to injury.
Smith (6-4, 280) had the best season of his career for Houston's second-ranked defense. He recorded sacks in each of the first five games of the season and finished with a career-high 6.5 sacks, ranking second on the team. His streak of five games with at least half a sack tied for the second-longest streak in franchise history. An eight-year veteran, Smith totaled 25 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, three passes defensed and a forced fumble for a defense that allowed 285.7 yards per game and set a franchise record with 44 sacks. He is replacing New England DE Andre Carter, who is not playing due to injury.
Both Myers and Smith served as captains for the 2011 season. Texans RB Arian Foster, who was elected to his second consecutive Pro Bowl will not play in this year's game due to injury.
Houston Texans in the Pro Bowl
Player, Position, Season (Career selection)
Arian Foster, RB, 2011 (Second)
Johnathan Joseph, CB, 2011 (First)
Chris Myers, C, 2011 (First)
Antonio Smith, DE, 2011 (First)
Arian Foster, RB, 2010 (First)
Andre Johnson, WR, 2010 (Fifth)
Vonta Leach, FB, 2010 (First)
Matt Schaub#, QB, 2009 (First)
Brian Cushing, LB, 2009 (First)
Andre Johnson, WR, 2009 (Fourth
DeMeco Ryans, LB, 2009 (Second)
Mario Williams, DE, 2009 (Second)
Owen Daniels, TE, 2008 (First)
Andre Johnson, WR, 2008 (Third)
Mario Williams, DE, 2008 (First)
DeMeco Ryans, LB, 2007 (First)
Andre Johnson, WR, 2006 (Second)
Jerome Mathis, WR, 2005 (First)
Andre Johnson, WR, 2004 (First)
Aaron Glenn, CB, 2002 (Third)
Gary Walker, DE, 2002 (Second)
* denotes Pro Bowl starter
