Seahawks’ Bobby Wagner All-Pro for 6th time. It’s a harbinger for the Hall of Fame
Bobby Wagner was already All-Pro worthy.
Now, by another renowned measure, he’s worthy of the Hall of Fame.
The Associated Press announced Friday the Seahawks’ middle linebacker extraordinaire has been named All-Pro for the sixth time in his career, and for the fifth consecutive season.
Wagner said being an All-Pro during a pandemic in 2020 is particularly unique.
“I think it’s been different on so many levels, obviously,” he told Tim Booth of the AP Friday, the day before he plays in his eighth playoff opener in nine years at home against the Los Angeles Rams. “What you have what you have to deal with on a day-to-day basis when you’re in the building, on the field, things of that nature, but all the stuff that you have to deal with outside with family and the virus and things of that nature it’s been a crazy season, for sure. One of the most challenging seasons.
“And to kind of be recognized for this during a really challenging years is definitely a blessing.
“I think it just shows the discipline that you have to have, the consistency that you have to have, because you have to be able to withstand challenges like this. What we’re going through is nothing compared to what the world has gone through, you can’t even compare to that. But to know that when you lock in and focus, you can still play at a high level is something that you’re hang your hat on.”
Wagner got 35 votes from the AP’s national panel of 50 media members who cover the NFL. He and San Francisco’s Fred Warner (39) votes, are the first-team All-Pros at linebacker for the 2020 season.
The AP’s Tim Booth reported the 30-year-old Wagner is the 11th linebacker since the AP started the All-Pro team in 1940 to be voted to the first team at least 6 times.
The previous 10 such All-Pro linebackers have all been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. They are: Lawrence Taylor, Bill George, Joe Schmidt, Ray Lewis, Mike Singletary, Junior Seau, Jack Ham, Jack Lambert, Bobby Bell and Chuck Budnarik.
Wagner had 100 tackles during the 2020 season, for the ninth consecutive season. That’s all nine years he’s been in the league, since Seattle selected him in the second round of the 2012 draft out of Utah State.
Last month, he was named to the Pro Bowl team for the seventh consecutive year. He said his rookie self would be amazed at making seven Pro Bowls in his career.
His rookie self would be floored by six All-Pro selections.
For players, being an All-Pro remains an ultimate measure of excellence in the NFL. It’s far above being named the 88-man Pro Bowl team that is often a popularity and beauty contest with legacy voting among peers inside the league.
Second- and third-team All-Pros, those who also get some votes from the AP’s panel, are widely reported. But only those who win the AP’s voting as “first-team” All-Pros traditionally are considered true All-Pros.
The Seahawks will face two 2020 All-Pros Saturday in the NFC wild-card playoff game against the Rams at Lumen Field: defensive tackle Aaron Donald and cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Metcalf, Adams, others get votes
DK Metcalf, 23 and in his second season, got one vote for All-Pro from the AP panel of 50 voters. He spent much of the season leading the league in yards receiving.
Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs are the All-Pro wide receiver.
Jamal Adams got 14 votes, behind All-Pro safeties Tyrann Mathieu (19) and Minkah Fitzpatrick (18). Adams was an All-Pro last season with the New York Jets. He missed a month of this season, his debut one in Seattle after his summer trade, with a strained groin.
The Seahawks’ strong safety is playing the first playoff game of his career Saturday with two injured shoulders and two broken fingers.
Seattle’s sterling special-teams anchors got All-Pro votes.
Kicker Jason Myers received four. He couldn’t have had a better season. Myers was 24 for 24 on field goals during the regular season. He’s made 35 consecutive field goals dating to 2019. That’s a Seahawks record.
Punter Michael Dickson received nine votes. Booming 60-yarders and consistently pinning opponents inside their 10-yard line, Dickson was better in 2020 than he was when he was an All-Pro as a rookie in 2018.
Long-snapper Tyler Ott received seven All-Pro votes. Ott made the Pro Bowl last month.
Complete voting results
The 2020 All-Pro voting, from the AP’s national panel of 50 voters:
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay, 46; Josh Allen, Buffalo, 2; Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City, 2.
Running Back
Derrick Henry, Tennessee, 47; Alvin Kamara, New Orleans, 3.
Tight End
Travis Kelce, Kansas City, 50.
Wide Receiver
Davante Adams, Green Bay, 49; Stefon Diggs, Buffalo, 48; Tyreek Hill, Kansas City, 24; DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona, 21; Justin Jefferson, Minnesota, 5; Calvin Ridley, Atlanta, 1; DK Metcalf, Seattle, 1; Cole Beasley, Buffalo, 1.
Left Tackle
David Bakhtiari, Green Bay, 26; Garett Bolles, Denver, 13; Trent Williams, San Francisco, 7; Terron Armstead, New Orleans, 2; Laremy Tunsil, Houston, 1; Eric Fisher, Kansas City, 1.
Right Tackle
Jack Conklin, Cleveland, 18; Ryan Ramczyk, New Orleans, 11; Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay, 10; Orlando Brown Jr., Baltimore, 5; Braden Smith, Indianapolis, 5; Daryl Williams, Buffalo, 1.
Left Guard
Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis, 24; Joel Bitonio, Cleveland, 16; Ali Marpet, Tampa Bay, 7; Elgton Jenkins, Green Bay, 2; Rodger Saffold, Tennessee, 1.
Right Guard
Brandon Scherff, Washington, 23 1-2; Wyatt Teller, Cleveland, 10; David DeCastro, Pittsburgh, 8 1-2; Zack Martin, Dallas, 3; Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta, 3; Nate Davis, Tennessee, 2.
Center
Corey Linsley, Green Bay, 18; Ryan Kelly, Indianapolis, 8; Frank Ragnow, Detroit, 8; Rodney Hudson, Las Vegas, 5; Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh, 4; Jason Kelce, Philadelphia, 2; Ben Jones, Tennessee, 2; JC Tretter, Cleveland, 1; Mitch Morse, Buffalo, 1; Erik McCoy, New Orleans, 1.
DEFENSE
Edge Rushers
T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh, 47; Myles Garrett, Cleveland, 36; Khalil Mack, Chicago, 6; Za’Darius Smith, Green Bay, 4; Trey Hendrickson, New Orleans, 3; Haason Reddick, Arizona, 2; Brandon Graham, Philadelphia, 1; Cam Jordan, New Orleans, 1.
Interior Linemen
Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams, 50; DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis, 25; Chris Jones, Kansas City, 10; Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh, 8; Grady Jarrett, Atlanta, 2; Leonard Williams, New York Giants, 2; Ndamukong Suh, Tampa Bay, 1; Quinnen Williams, New York Jets, 1; Stephon Tuitt, Pittsburgh, 1.
Linebackers
Fred Warner, San Francisco, 39; Bobby Wagner, Seattle, 35; Darius Leonard, Indianapolis, 18; Devin White, Tampa Bay, 16; Demario Davis, New Orleans, 14; Lavonte David, Tampa Bay, 10; Roquan Smith, Chicago, 10; Eric Kendricks, Minnesota, 3; Blake Martinez, New York Giants, 2; Myles Jack, Jacksonville, 1; Zach Cunningham, Houston, 1; Deion Jones, Atlanta, 1.
Cornerbacks
Xavien Howard, Miami, 47; Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams, 25; Jaire Alexander, Green Bay, 18; Tre’Davious White, Buffalo, 6; Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore, 2; James Bradberry, New York Giants, 1; J.C. Jackson, New England, 1.
Safeties
Tyrann Mathieu, Kansas City, 19; Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh, 18; Budda Baker, Arizona, 18; Jamal Adams, Seattle, 14; Jessie Bates III, Cincinnati, 8; Justin Simmons, Denver, 6; Adrian Amos, Green Bay, 6; John Johnson III, Los Angeles Rams, 4; Marcus Maye, New York Jets, 4; Jordan Poyer, Buffalo, 3.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker
Jason Sanders, Miami, 23; Justin Tucker, Baltimore, 11; Younghoe Koo, Atlanta, 10; Jason Myers, Seattle, 4; Graham Gano, New York Giants, 1; Mason Crosby, Green Bay, 1.
Punter
Jake Bailey, New England, 26; Jack Fox, Detroit, 12; Michael Dickson, Seattle, 9; Corey Bojorquez, Buffalo, 2; Tress Way, Washington, 1.
Kick Returner
Cordarrelle Patterson, Chicago, 43; Andre Roberts, Buffalo, 7.
Punt Returner
Gunner Olszewski, New England, 28; Jakeem Grant, Miami, 11; Andre Roberts, Buffalo, 6; Ray-Ray McCloud, Pittsburgh, 3; Hunter Renfrow, Las Vegas, 1; Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis, 1.
Special Teamer
George Odum, Indianapolis, 28; Matthew Slater, New England, 7; Zeke Turner, Arizona, 4; Nick Bellore, Seattle 4; Justin Bethel, New England, 2; Dennis Gardeck, Arizona, 1; Gunner Olszewski, New England, 1; Andre Roberts, Buffalo, 1; Cordarrelle Patterson, Chicago, 1; Tyler Matakevich, Buffalo, 1.
Long Snapper
Morgan Cox, Baltimore, 27; Luke Rhodes, Indianapolis, 8; Tyler Ott, Seattle, 7; Jon Weeks, Houston, 2; L.P. Ladouceur, Dallas, 2; Rick Lovato, Philadelphia, 1; Charley Hughlett, Cleveland, 1; Nick Sundberg, Washington, 1; J.J. Jansen, Carolina, 1.
This story was originally published January 8, 2021 at 10:07 AM.
