Antonio Pierce is Going to the Pro Bowl: Because Chicago Bears’ middle linebacker Brian Urlacher is pulling out of the Pro Bowl due to a toe injury he suffered in the Super Bowl, middle linebacker Antonio Pierce has been selected to the NFC team as his replacement.
It is the first time Pierce has been to the Pro Bowl. His teammates HB Tiki Barber and TE Jeremy Shockey were selected to the Pro Bowl in December. Pierce was selected as an alternate at that time. Shockey will not play due to an ankle injury.
“I am too excited to even think about it,” said Pierce. “This is something that I have been waiting to get to since I have been a starter. It does not matter how you get there, as an alternate or a starter. It is an honor that I will take and carry with me for the rest of my career. I credit our defense, because without our defensive line and everybody else, I wouldn’t be the player I am. This is a great moment for me.”
In 2006, Pierce led the Giants with 159 tackles (93 solo). He also accrued one sack, one interception, 11 pass defenses, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
Had it not been for an ankle injury suffered by Pierce in 2005 he also would have been selected to the Pro Bowl after that season as an alternate for the injured Urlacher as well.