Photo by: John Williamson
Knox to play in NFL Pro Bowl
1/25/2010 11:17:25 PM | Football
CHICAGO -- ACU football fans thought the 2009 season officially ended earlier this month when Bernard Scott's Cincinnati Bengals lost to the New York Jets in the first round of the AFC playoffs.
As it turns out, however, they'll have one more chance to pull for a former Wildcat after ex-wide receiver Johnny Knox was named an injury replacement for this week's NFL Pro Bowl. Knox was tabbed late Monday to replace fellow rookie wide receiver Percy Harvin of Minnesota, who pulled out of the game due to injury.
Knox is only the second former Wildcat to play in the NFL Pro Bowl, joining ex-Philadelphia Eagle running back Wilbert Montgomery (1978 and 1979) as ACU alumni to have played in the game.
“When I heard the news, I was speechless,” Knox said. “I was real excited to hear news like that. This was a long-term goal I had set early on in my career, but I didn't expect it to happen this quickly.”
Knox ranked second in the NFL in kickoff returns with a 29.0-yard average, trailing only the Buccaneers' Clifton Smith (29.1). The dynamic rookie returned 32 kickoffs for 927 yards, including a 102-yarder for a touchdown in a Week 4 win over the Lions that was the second longest in Bears history.
Knox -- drafted in the fifth round by the Bears last April -- is the first Bears rookie to be named to the Pro Bowl since Devin Hester also went as a return specialist in 2006. Knox is the fourth Bears kick returner to be named to the Pro Bowl in the last 11 seasons, following Glyn Milburn (1999), Jerry Azumah (2003) and Hester.
The Pro Bowl will be played Sunday at Sun Life Stadium in south Florida at the site of Super Bowl XLIV. Knox is scheduled to fly to Miami on Tuesday to join his NFC teammates.
“I've always been a fan of the game,” he said, “so I'm going to be real excited to see the veteran guys that I've been watching before I made it to this level.”
Knox will be the Bears' lone Pro Bowl representative. Linebacker Lance Briggs was selected for the fifth straight season, but he withdrew from the game due to an injury.
Knox also contributed on offense this season. His 45 receptions tied for third most by a Bears rookie and tied for the most by a rookie wide receiver in team history. His 527 yards were the fifth most by a Bears rookie receiver.
Knox's six total TDs tied for fifth among NFL rookies, trailing only Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno (9), Harvin (8), Cardinals running back Beanie Wells (7) and Colts receiver Austin Collie (7).
Knox also became the first Bears rookie to score a touchdown in four straight games since Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton accomplished the feat in 1975.
ACU Baseball: Rick McCarty Press Conference | May 11, 2026
Tuesday, May 12
ACU Baseball: Senior Day Ceremony | May 9, 2026
Saturday, May 09
ACU Softball: Jo Koons Press Conference | May 4, 2026
Monday, May 04
ACU Women's Basketball: Julie Goodenough Press Conference | May 4, 2026
Monday, May 04
