Eden Prairie, MN (December 20, 2016) – Vikings defensive endEverson Griffen, return specialistCordarrelle Patterson, cornerbackXavier Rhodesand safetyHarrison Smith** have been selected by players, fans and coaches to the 2017 NFL Pro Bowl. Griffen, Patterson and Smith each earned their second trip to the Pro Bowl, while Rhodes received the recognition for the first time.
Griffen currently ranks in the top 10 in the NFL among defensive ends in sacks, total tackles, forced fumbles, sack yards, tackles for loss and quarterback hurries. Griffen's eight sacks on the year rank tied for seventh among defensive ends in the league and contribute to the Vikings 25.5 sacks by defensive ends, second best in the NFL.
The seventh-year man out of USC becomes the first Viking defensive end to be selected to back-to-back Pro Bowls since Jared Allen in 2011-12.
Patterson,* *who was selected as a return specialist, leads the NFL with 757 kickoff return yards and a 31.5-yard kickoff return average. Patterson is on pace to lead the league in kickoff return average a NFL record three times in his four-year career. In Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals, Patterson returned a kickoff 104 yards, the longest in the NFL this season, for his fifth career return touchdown.
The Tennessee product is the first Viking returner to be selected twice in franchise history.
Rhodes currently ranks tied for third in the NFC with four interceptions on the year, a career-high. He becomes the first Vikings cornerback to be selected to the Pro Bowl since Antoine Winfield in 2010. His 100-yard interception return in Week 11 against the Cardinals, one of his two interceptions on the day, is the longest interception return of the season in the NFL and contributed to his 129 interception return yards, third-most in the league. Rhodes' 10 passes defensed leads the team thus far.
The Florida State product had one of his best performances of the year against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7, when he tallied an interception, forced fumble, tackle for loss and four total tackles.
Smith currently ranks in the top seven in the NFL among safeties in total tackles, sacks, sack yards and tackles for loss. Smith's two sacks on the year rank tied for third among safeties in the league.
The fifth-year defensive back becomes fourth Vikings safety to be named to the Pro Bowl multiple times. Paul Krause and Joey Browner lead the way with six appearances each.
The 2017 Pro Bowl will feature a return to the traditional AFC vs. NFC game format following three years using a revised, "unconferenced" format. The two conference teams will face off on Sunday, January 29, 2017 in Orlando, Florida at Camping World Stadium, one week before Super Bowl LI in Houston, Texas.
QUOTES
Everson Griffen
"Getting love from players around the league and making it to my second Pro Bowl is an honor. Individual stats and honors aren't why we play, but it's nice to know you are respected around the NFL."
Cordarrelle Patterson
"I take pride in what I do and to be picked as one of the best returners in the league is a product of all the work I put in and God's help. Coach [Mike] Priefer and Coach [Ryan] Ficken deserve a lot of credit, too. It's great to be picked by the fans and the other players, but this is just a stepping stone and we all have bigger goals than individual awards."
Harrison Smith
"I don't play for my own accolades, I play to win games, but it is an honor to be selected again for the Pro Bowl. Going last year with four teammates was a good experience. I was more excited to see Xavier made it than myself. He deserves this recognition. I appreciate the votes from fans, players and coaches."
Xavier Rhodes
"It's special to be picked to my first Pro Bowl in my home state. Growing up I always thought if you made the Pro Bowl you were viewed as the best at your position in the eyes of the other players and fans so it's definitely an honor. I've worked hard and put in work all year to be the best corner I can for this team.
