The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Johnson added to Pro Bowl roster
01.27.2016 | Football
Kansas City Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson earns his fourth career selection to the NFL Pro Bowl.
Former Texas Longhorns linebacker Derrick Johnson of the Kansas City Chiefs has been selected to the Pro Bowl for the fourth time in five seasons, as he was added to the 2016 Pro Bowl roster on Monday.
Johnson was added to replace Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly who is unable to participate due to the Panthers' appearance in Super Bowl 50.
After missing last season with an injury, Johnson finished the 2015 season and led the Chiefs with 123 tackles (98 solo), adding four sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
Johnson joins Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas as former Longhorns participating in this year's game. This is Thomas' fifth selection, and with both players' participation, gives Texas a Pro Bowl player in each of the last 15 seasons, which is the longest consecutive streak in school history. Since 1952 there have only been 11 years in which a former Longhorn was not selected to the Pro Bowl. In all, Texas has had 41 different players representing 23 teams who have made a total of 102 appearances.
This season, Thomas has started all 14 games for Seattle and pulled in a team-high four interceptions to go with 62 tackles, eight passes defended and one forced fumble.
The 2016 Pro Bowl takes place on Jan. 31 in Honolulu, one week before Super Bowl 50. It will again be a non-conferenced format with captains Michael Irvin and Jerry Rice drafting teams on Jan. 27.