Wagner on making the Pro Bowl; Wilson and Bennett on being left out

When Bobby Wagner realized he had a message from Pete Carroll, the Seahawks linebacker feared he was in trouble, even though he couldn’t think of a reason why. It turns out, his coach instead wanted to congratulate him for making the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.

“We were watching film, and Coach (Ken) Norton came in and he was like, ‘do you have your phone on you?’” Wagner said. “And I wasn’t looking at it. And he was like, ‘well look at it.’ So when I looked at it, I seen Coach Carroll called me and he left a voicemail so I immediately thought I was in trouble. I thought something happened. I didn’t know what to expect so as I’m walking to his office, I’m trying to think of all the things that I might’ve done to get him to call me for something. And then I walked into his office and he told me that I made the Pro Bowl and congratulated me and Coach Norton congratulated me and it went on from there.

Wagner said that even though he was aware that Pro Bowl results were announced Tuesday, he wasn’t thinking about it because, “I didn’t want to get my hopes high and then not be able to get it and be (mad), and then have to take it out on the world, so I was just focused on football and whenever he told me, I was going to be good.”

So what happens now if he’s not mad at the world? “I mean, I still can find the extra aggression somewhere, so I’ll be fine.

Asked what the honor meant to him, Wagner said, “I think it was surreal. I didn’t really know how to take it. I felt like it’s something I’ve been working for since I got in the NFL, and to finally have it happen, it did mean a lot to me.

Meanwhile one player who arguably could have been included, Michael Bennett, said he wasn’t sweating the snub: “I don’t really care as long as my paycheck’s the same.’

Bennett noted that Seattle’s defensive players can get overlooked individually because everyone is good enough that no one or two players stand out statistically.

“Sometimes when you play in the type of defense we play in, you don’t get the attention or notoriety that other people get, because we’ve got a lot of guys” he said. “A lot of teams just have one or two good play; we have 11 every time we’re out there, so it’s just one of those things you have to deal with.”

Russell Wilson, like Bennett, was named an alternate, but for now isn’t a Pro Bowler, and he took that about as diplomatically as you would expect from him.

“I’m grateful to be on the list (as an alternate); grateful just to be able to play in the National Football League and to have an opportunity to play and fight for a Pro Bowl spot,” Wilson said. “Just to be the quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks is a tremendous honor and there are so many great players. All the quarterbacks on the list had unbelievable years. It’s been an awesome year for everybody and I’m excited to have the potential to play in the Super Bowl hopefully, so that’s kind of where my focus is.”

Asked what it means to be a Pro Bowler, an honor he has earned twice, Wilson said, “It doesn’t mean everything. I think it means something in terms of the Pro Bowl, because it’s awarding some of the best players in the National Football League. It’s a real thing, but at the same time, ultimately, I’m trying to get to the last game where I don’t have to play in the Pro Bowl. To do that though we have to win this game and you have to just play one game at a time and enjoy it for what it is. We have a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to it.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.