Johnny Knox returns a kickoff against Detroit in Week 4. (Scott Strazzante/Tribune)
Staff report
Bears rookie receiver Johnny Knox was added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster as a kick returner Monday, replacing Minnesota's Percy Harvin.
Knox, the first Bears rookie named to the Pro Bowl since Devin Hester in 2006, returned 32 kickoffs for 927 yards this season and his 29.0 average was second in the NFL. His 102-yard return against Detroit in Week 4 was the second longest in franchise history.
Knox is the Bears lone representative in Sunday's game in South Florida. Linebacker Lance Briggs was named a starter but backed out because of injury.
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At first...Since there were not going to be any Bear players...I wasn't even going to watch this game...Now I have reason to...I am really happy for this kid...He had a really good year returning kicks and giving his team excellent field position...I hope he goes out and represents the Bear organization well.
He deserves a spot in the Pro Bowl as a return man. As the article states, he was second in the NFL in return average. Nice return on a 5th round pick.
This also speaks volumes for the Bears special teams coach. It seems like every year the Bears are either leading the NFL in return yardage, or near the top. They can pretty much plug anyone in there and have a great return: Hester, Manning, Bennett, Knox.
What difference does it make if he is a top 20 receiver or not? He's going in as a special teams player.
He's good, but pro bowl... give me a break. And isn't this a knock on the rest of the team, particularly the vets?
I thought Knox was injured?
NICE! Love this guy :)