The NFL announced their AFC Pro Bowl team this week and third year kick returner Joshua Cribbs (Dunbar High) was elected.
Cribbs has gained 1,637 yards on 53 returns this year. His 30.9 yard average and total yards are league highs. Cribbs has returned two kick returns for touchdowns this year, a 90 yarder against Oakland and a 100 yarder in Pittsburgh.
Josh has returned 24 punts for 243 yards (10.1avg.) The 10.1 yard average is seventh in the league. Cribbs is also tied for the team lead in special teams tackles with 18.
At his press conference, Cribbs thanked his teammates on special teams. Here were a few of his thoughts on the announcement.
"A lot of people were calling me this morning and telling me not to worry. They were saying I was going to cross the water. I didn't want to count my eggs before they hatched. I was just doing everything to stay focused. I came in and got a lift out the way. I was hanging out with a couple of guys and just relaxing until I heard the news."
Here were his thoughts on what it meant to be undrafted, have to switch positions and now make the Pro Bowl.
- "It means a lot - just coming so far. I have a story to tell. Not being drafted, switching positions, having to learn something that I've never done before and wasn't able to do in college because I was playing quarterback, then doing it at such a high level in the NFL, that meant so much to me. It means so much to my teammates - the special teams unit. It meant a lot to them. I saw a lot of them come in and get a lift. They asked me, 'did you make it?' Just the look in their eyes - I was talking to OL Lennie Friedman and the look in his eyes was just as excited as I was. I ws like, "I don't know yet." He told me, "let me know as soon as you find out." It's like their making it because thos are the guys that eventually got me there, where I am now, blocking for me up front. I saw LB D'Qwell Jackson today as well. They were just as excited as I was to make it."
Cribbs gave his thoughts on the meaning of joining Chargers TE Antonio Gates, Steelers LB James Harrison and himself being from Kent State and having been undrafted.
"You don't have to go to a big school to become something great, to become something special. It's no longer a sterotype saying you have to go to a USC, Oklahoma or Ohio State to become an impact player in the NFL. Three players from Kent State, right up the road, you would never have though. The Mid-American Conference is a conference that is very under looked - an underrated conference, Kent State University. I love those guys out there."
Cribbs also added that "the team has been playing hard, we've been winning and that's brought a lot of attention to us." Cribbs went on to mention, "We have a lot of great talented players on our team and they're finally being recognized because of how we're playing as a team."
Cribbs will be joined by fellow teammate WR Braylon Edwards as starters for the AFC. Cribbs was the top vote getter at his position.
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