While the Pro Bowl isn't exactly the NFL's greatest game of the year, it is nevertheless still a huge honor for the players who are selected to attend.
This year, four Buckeyes will be participating in the game: Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas and cornerback Marshon Lattimore, and Los Angeles Rams long snapper Jake McQuaide.
Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier (spine), Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (finger) and Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins (Super Bowl) were all selected to the game, but will not play.
All four Buckeyes playing in the game are coming off career years, led by the two Saints: Thomas, who had 104 catches for 1,245 yards and five touchdowns, and Marshon Lattimore, who was one of the NFL's top cornerbacks despite being a rookie, and who will likely win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Heyward had 12 sacks this year for the Steelers, helping them reach the AFC Divisonal game. McQuaide is one of two long snappers in the Pro Bowl this year, joining Bengals stalwart Clark Harris. The Rams surprisingly made it to the playoffs this season, losing in the Wild Card round.
Earlier in the week, Thomas won the best hands competition at the Pro Bowl skills challenge. Lattimore, on the other hand, had a little something to say about the monetary aspect of the game, as players on the winning team receive $67,000, while members of the losing team receive $34,000.
“I hope we can get that win because I need that little extra (money),” Lattimore said to NewOrleansSaints.com.
“I’m looking forward to the game. I need that extra money. (But) I just want to have fun in the game. This is my first year, this is my first time being in Orlando.”
This is the first Pro Bowl selection for three of the four Buckeyes, as McQuaide is the only returning player from the quartet.
You can catch the 2018 NFL Pro Bowl from Orlando live at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN.
