YES! You probably guessed it, it’s Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes with 342,353 total fan votes to lead all-league players among the balloting for the 2021 NFL Pro Bowl.
Rounding out the top-5 is Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson who came in second place with 335,156 votes, and Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry in third with 315,359. Travis Kelce also with the Chiefs’ came in fourth place with 309,710 votes, and finally, Aaron Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers finished fifth with 309.131. It would also come with no surprise that the Kansas City Chiefs were tied for first place with seven players being represented. Joining them were the Seahawks, Packers, and Ravens also with seven heading into the annual exhibition. Here is the complete AFC/NFC list of players who made the teams:
Who got Snubbed
Every year, there are NFL players who are not as highly exposed as some of their fellow peers, but their performances are if not as good, but just as good when their names are being called. They are the quiet producers.
Here are the Top-5 biggest SNUBS of the 2021 NFL Pro Bowl voting according to Yahoo Sports.com’s Doug Farrar:
1. Justin Herbert: Quarterback- LA Chargers
2. James Robinson: Running Back- Jacksonville Jaguars
3. Terry McLaurin: Wide Receiver- Washington Football Team
4. Allen Robinson: Wide Receiver- Chicago Bears
5. Robert Tonyan: Tight End- Green Bay Packers
Now, here are My Top-5 biggest SNUBS of the 2021 Pro Bowl:
1. Tyler Bass: Kicker- Buffalo Bills: Have you ever seen a kicker with the type of leg that Bass has. Especially as a rookie kicker starting in the NFL. Plus, Bass is among the league leaders in kicking. Why would he be snubbed other than just starting out as a rookie?
2. Corey Bojorquez: Punter- Buffalo Bills: This is another one that is surprising too. Two years ago, Bills fans were ready to ride the poor man out of town after his first game as a rookie, it did not go well. He has improved tremendously with each game and is among the league leaders in punting. And New England Punter Jake Bailey made it over him. Sorry, not sorry.
3. Justin Herbert: Quarterback- LA Chargers: I know he is a rookie, but when Herbert is having the type of season where he already is showcasing himself into becoming a franchise-quarterback, he should at least be considered as an alternate. He nearly led the Chargers to an upset win over Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in week-2. Plus, he has already broken Baker Mayfield’s record of td-passes by a rookie with 28. If not this year, look for Herbert to become a Pro Bowler in the near future.
4. James Robinson: Running Back- Jacksonville Jaguars: The 2020 undrafted free agent has had a great rookie-year since replacing former first round pick Leonard Fournette who was cut by the Jags. Robinson currently is third in the NFL with 1,070 rushing yards and leads all rookies in scrimmage yards. Logically, his snubbing may have to do with the fact that he was unknown heading into 2020, and that the Jags are only 1-14. Luckily, Jacksonville clinched the number-1 overall pick and Robinson will have a new best friend in Trever Lawrence handing off the ball to him, if all goes right for the Jags and their #1 pick.
5. Cole Beasley: Wide Receiver- Buffalo Bills: Who does not love Old King Cole? The man is probably one of the best slot receivers in the game and he reminds me of a Julian Edelman type where he is always open to throw the ball too. What a merry old soul he is.
Patrick Mahomes Background
Patrick Mahomes II was born on Sep. 17, 1995 in Tyler Texas, to parents Pat Mahomes and Randi Martin. He played College football and baseball at Texas Tech.
Mahomes entered his freshman season behind fellow teammate Davis Webb. Mahomes would become the starter in his sophomore season and never gave it up, causing Webb to transfer to University of Cal in 2016.
Mahomes decided to quit playing baseball to solely focus on playing football. He led his team with 421 yards per game, 5052 passing yards and 53 touchdowns. On January 3, 2017, Mahomes decided to skip his senior season to declare for the NFL Draft.
NFL Draft
Mahomes was projected to be a first or second-round pick by major analysts and scouts in the NFL. He would not have to wait too long to finally be picked. The Kansas City Chiefs traded up with the Buffalo Bills from #27, to #10 to select Mahomes as the eventual heir-apparent to Veteran Alex Smith. The Bills would later select LSU corner back TreDavious White at #27.
Kansas City Chiefs
Mahomes spent most of his rookie season behind Smith until Dec 27, 2017 when Smith was rested for Mahomes with a playoff spot and the fourth seed locked up. Mahomes was able to get the win in his first start in the NFL.
Mahomes entered his second-season as the sole starter at quarterback for the Chiefs after Alex Smith was traded to the Washington (Redskins) now the Washington Football team. He enjoyed a very productive season winning the ‘2018 MVP Award’ and leading the Chiefs to the AFC Championship game where they would lose to the eventual Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots 37-31 in overtime.
M-V-P!@Chiefs QB @PatrickMahomes5 is the 2018 Most Valuable Player! #NFLHonors (by @pizzahut) pic.twitter.com/zFEoclRsrq
— NFL (@NFL) February 2, 2019
Mahomes had another successful season in 2019, in which he earned Andy Reid’s first Super Bowl win over Jimmy Garoppolo and the San Francisco 49ers 31-20. Mahomes took home the ‘MVP Award’ and was super proud he was able to help the Chiefs and Reid finally earn a ring.
Mahomes became engaged to Brittany Matthews after winning the Super bowl. They have been dating for 8-years, and met while both attending Whitehouse high school in Whitehouse Texas. Four weeks later it was announced that the newly engaged couple are expecting to have their first baby together.
Patrick Mahomes got a Super Bowl ring.
Brittany Matthews got an engagement ring.
📸: patrickmahomes and brittanylynne on IG pic.twitter.com/lFxXwMNaGL
— Farzin Vousoughian (@Farzin21) September 2, 2020
2020
In July, Mahomes was signed to an unbelievable $503 million dollar contract making him the richest athlete in sports history. The deal will go through the 2031 season. In his two-seasons as the starting quarterback, he has won the ‘League MVP’ and ‘Super Bowl MVP’.
Mahomes is currently having another tremendous year as he has led the Chiefs to another playoff-birth and has helped the team clinch the #1 seed in the AFC-Playoffs.
The team is on poise to win its second-straight super bowl, but their “hike” has already begun and to quote Natasha Bedingfield, “The rest is still unwritten.”
