Renton, Wash. - The Seattle Seahawks will be represented in the 2017 Pro Bowl by defensive ends Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett, cornerback Richard Sherman and linebacker Bobby Wagner, the NFL announced this evening.
It will be Avril's first Pro Bowl trip in his nine NFL seasons, Bennett's second-consecutive Pro Bowl trip, Sherman's fourth-consecutive after being named All-Pro from 2012-15 and Wagner's third-consecutive honor.
Avril set a career-high this season with 11.5 sacks (T3rd NFL) and is second in the NFL with 25 quarterback hits. With each sack recorded, he is donating money to New Story Charity to build a house in Haiti for the communities that were affected by Hurricane Matthew.
Bennett ranks third on the team with 3.0 sacks and fourth with 14 quarterback hits, adding 29 tackles (19 solo).
Sherman leads the team with four interceptions (T6th NFL) and since 2011, his 30 interceptions and 94 passes defensed lead the NFL. He is also second on the team with 11 passes defensed.
Wagner leads the NFL with 145 tackles (74 solo) and became the first player in Seahawks history to record five-consecutive 100-tackle seasons. He is on pace to eclipse the franchise mark for tackles in a single-season, needing nine tackles in the last two games to accomplish the feat.
The Seahawks have eight alternates to the Pro Bowl; wide receiver Doug Baldwin, center Justin Britt, safety Kam Chancellor, tight end Jimmy Graham, kicker Steven Hauschka, return specialist Tyler Lockett, quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker K.J. Wright. The player would be named to the team if a selected member of the squad cannot participate.
The 2017 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, January 29, 2017 and televised live on ESPN at 5 p.m. PT from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.
Defensive ends Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett, cornerback Richard Sherman, and linebacker Bobby Wagner have been voted to the 2017 Pro Bowl, while linebacker K.J. Wright, tight end Jimmy Graham, and receiver Doug Baldwin have been named to the game as injury replacements.
Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril celebrates after causing a fumble by Eagle's quarterback Carson Went.
Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril celebrates his sack of Carson Palmer in the fourth quarter. Avril finished with 2.5 sacks and six quarterback hits.
Cliff Avril celebrates a sack.
Defensive end Michael Bennett is introduced to the roaring crowd at CenturyLink Field.
Michael Bennett celebrates his sack with Cliff Avril.
Seattle's Bobby Wagner sizes up Green Bay's Christine Michael before making the tackle.
Seattle's defense punished Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill all afternoon. On this play, linebacker Bobby Wagner flattened Tannehill resulting in an incomplete pass.
Cornerback Richard Sherman waits in the tunnel for his name to be called during pregame introductions before the battle with the Atlanta Falcons.
Cornerback Richard Sherman gathers the team around him in the moments just before kickoff.
Maurice Photo Inc. - 2016
Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker K.J. Wright (50) lines up during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in New Orleans. New Orleans won 25-20. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright (50) waits for the snap during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, in Seattle, Wash. The Seahawks won the game, 24-3. (Greg Trott via AP)
Seattle's K.J. Wright stops Carolina's Cam Newton for a two-yard loss in the third quarter.
Jimmy Graham leaps high to spike the ball after scoring on a 35-yard touchdown reception from Russell Wilson in the second quarter, giving the Seahawks a 13-7 lead.
Seattle's Jimmy Graham applies a stiff arm to Carolina's A.J. Klein.
Jimmy Graham yells after scoring the game's opening touchdown on a pass from Russell Wilson on the game's first drive.
Doug Baldwin signals "first down" as officials review his catch in the fourth quarter.
