NEW ORLEANS, La. – Offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod of the New Orleans Saints, a former Towson University standout, has been named as a member of the National Football Conference roster and will make his first appearance in the Pro Bowl, scheduled for Sunday, January 29 in Honolulu, Hawaii, it has been announced by National Football League officials.
A fifth-year member of the Saints and a third-year starter at left tackle, Bushrod admitted he was "pretty shocked" to learn he had been named to the Pro Bowl.
"Just having the opportunity to be voted in is such an extreme blessing," said Bushrod, a fourth-round draft pick out of Towson in 2007. "I never would've thought in a million years I'd have this opportunity, in the same way as winning a Super Bowl two years ago."
Bushrod, who has only allowed three sacks this season, has developed into a major part of the Saints' offensive success. He was one of five members of that prolific offense selected to the Pro Bowl on Tuesday, joining quarterback Drew Brees, guards Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks and tight end Jimmy Graham, a fellow first-timer.
"Guys have good seasons if the team's doing well," the King George, Va. native said. "And I just think as a team, we're jelling right now. We just have to keep it up."
On Sunday night, the Saints clinched the NFC South title with a 45-16 win over Atlanta as they improved their record to 12-3 on the season. It was also a record-setting night for Bushrod and his teammates as Brees broke the NFL single season passing record with 5,087 yards. He broke the record set by former Miami Dolphin Dan Marino (5,084) in 1984.
The Saints have the top-rated offense in the NFL, averaging 457.1 total yards per game.
Bushrod is one of three tackles on the NFC roster. Jason Peters of Philadelphia and Joe Staley of San Francisco were also selected.
The 6-5, 315-pound Bushrod is the third former Tiger football player to be named to the Pro Bowl. Former punter Sean Landeta was selected to the Pro Bowl three times while former running back David Meggett was chosen once.
