KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs linebacker D.J. Alexander joins the large contingent of Kansas City players and coaches representing the AFC in this weekend’s Pro Bowl game.
Jan. 3, 2016; Kansas City, MO; Chiefs rookie linebacker D.J. Alexander (57) blocks a punt by Oakland Raiders punter Marquette King (7) at Arrowhead Stadium. (Emily DeShazer/The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Alexander earned promotion to the squad with the New England Patriots earning a berth in the Super Bowl. The second-year linebacker was the first alternate for AFC special teams player behind New England’s Matt Slater. Six players and the Chiefs coaching staff will represent Kansas City in the Pro Bowl.
The 2015 fifth-round pick from Oregon State has proven a valuable resource for the Chiefs on special teams. He won an AFC special teams player of the week award in his rookie season, and this year received widespread recognition for his play in addition to the Pro Bowl honor.
Learning he was named an alternate to the team meant much to the young linebacker.
“It’s a great feeling,” Alexander said last month. “Knowing you have that support from your fellow teammates, other teams and the fans and coaches. I take that with a lot of respect from those guys and thank them.”
Four Chiefs earned initial Pro Bowl nominations: tight end Travis Kelce, cornerback Marcus Peters, safety Eric Berry and return specialists Tyreek Hill. Quarterback Alex Smith earned promotion to the team as a replacement for Oakland’s Derek Carr. Dustin Colquitt also replaced injured Indianapolis punter Pat McAfee.
Berry bowed out of the Pro Bowl, however, replaced by Denver’s Darian Stewart.
Andy Reid and the Chiefs coaching staff will lead the Pro Bowl team for the second-straight season. The honor for coaching the Pro Bowl falls to the highest-seeded team in each conference losing in the divisional round of the playoffs.
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Matt Derrick is the lead beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
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