Hurricanes Represented Well in 2010 Pro Bowl
Jan. 26, 2010
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami football program will have a heavy impact on the 2010 Pro Bowl in South Florida as a record 10 former Hurricanes were selected to the game slated for this Sunday, Jan. 31. For the first time since 1980, the annual all-star game will be played somewhere other than Honolulu, Hawaii. The Pro Bowl will kick off at 7:20 p.m. EST on ESPN at Sun Life Stadium – the home of the Miami Dolphins and the Miami Hurricanes.
The former Hurricanes – which are the most of any other college program – selected to the Pro Bowl include wide receiver Andre Johnson (Houston Texans), wide receiver Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts), defensive lineman Vince Wilfork (New England Patriots), linebacker Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens), safety Ed Reed (Baltimore Ravens), safety Brandon Meriweather (New England Patriots), offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie (Minnesota Vikings), linebacker Jonathan Vilma (New Orleans Saints), running back Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers) and safety Antrel Rolle (Arizona Cardinals). Vilma and Wayne will not participate due to their preparation for Super Bowl XLIV.
Johnson, Lewis, McKinnie, Meriweather, Reed, Wayne and Wilfork were all selected as starters. Of all the players selected as starters, reserves or replacements, Miami leads all collegiate programs with the 10 selections.
Michigan is next with six followed by Texas with four. Tennessee, Alabama, Kent State, Virginia, Cal, Pitt, NC State and USC all had three selections. East Carolina, Rutgers, Iowa, Boise State, LSU, Oregon State, Maryland, North Carolina, Syracuse, Oregon, Louisville and San Diego State each had two representatives selected.
Gore finished the regular season as the NFL’s ninth leading rusher as he ran for 1,120 yards on 229 carries and scored 10 touchdowns. He was ranked as the fourth best back in the NFC averaging 80 yards per game.
Johnson led the NFL with 1,569 receiving yards and tied for the league’s third-most receptions (101). He averaged a league-best 98.1 receiving yards per game. He had six 100-yard receiving games including a 193-yard performance against Seattle and a 196-yard game at St. Louis.
Lewis ranked fifth in the NFL in combined tackles amongst linebackers finishing with 134 (95 solo, 39 assisted). He also had three sacks, seven passes defended, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He had a season-high 14 tackles against New England during the regular season. In two postseason games, he finished with 21 tackles and one sack.
Meriweather started all 16 regular season games for the Patriots at strong safety. He had 83 tackles, nine passes defended and two forced fumbles. His five interceptions tied for 12th in the league and marked the second straight season that he’s had at least four INT’s. He also ranked 14th in the AFC in tackles by a defensive back. He started New England’s playoff game and finished with four tackles.
McKinnie started 16 games for the Vikings at left tackle in helping Minnesota reach the NFC Championship game. He anchored a line that put up the second-most points (470) in the NFL during the regular season and ranked as the fifth-best offense in total yards per game (379.6). Minnesota was also the eighth-best passing offense and 13th-best rushing offense in the league.
Reed started 12 games during the regular season for the Ravens. He posted three interceptions, five passes defended, 50 tackles and forced three fumbles. In two playoff games, he had six tackles, two interceptions and three passes defended.
Rolle tied for 13th in the NFL with four interceptions and ranked 46th among NFL defensive backs with 72 tackles during the regular season. He also had 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. In the Cardinals’ two playoff games, he totaled 16 tackles, including a season-high 13 combined tackles in the win over Green Bay.
Vilma led the Saints, ranked 11th in the NFC and 27th overall in the NFL with 110 tackles during the regular season. He also added two sacks and three interceptions. In two postseason games, he finished with six tackles and an interception.
Wayne ranked third amongst all receivers during the regular season as he hauled in 100 receptions for 1,264 yards and 10 touchdowns. He had four 100-yard receiving games including a season-high 162 yards against Jacksonville and season-best 12 catches against San Francisco. In two postseason games, he had 11 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Wilfork played in 13 games during the regular season and had 43 combined tackles (31 solo, 12 assisted). In New England’s playoff game, he had a season-high 13 tackles.
The University of Miami Athletics Department will host “An Evening with UM Football Greats” on Monday, February 1 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach from 7-10 p.m. The event is presented by the UM Hurricane Club.
Open to 500 guests, the event will feature Head Coach Randy Shannon, former UM football players including some current NFL players and former UM head coach Jimmy Johnson. Some UM football greats scheduled to appear are Russell Maryland, Ted Hendricks, Michael Irvin and Darrin Smith.
Tickets are $200 per person. There will be a full open bar, hors d’oeuvres, buffet stations, coffee and dessert service. Fans are asked to RSVP to the Hurricane Club by calling 305-284-6699. The event is cocktail attire.
