Freeney is lone Colt headed to Pro Bowl

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Despite the Colts dismal season with their star quarterback and several other players out with injuries, one player will have a post-season of sorts. For the seventh time in his career, Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney was selected to play in the Pro Bowl.

Freeney, the only Colt selected, will play with the rest of the NFL all-stars on Jan. 29 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

"It is always an honor to be selected to the Pro Bowl by the fans and your peers," Freeney said. "No matter how many times you get picked, it is always special and something that I will always cherish.”

He also called it an achievement for the whole team.

“You do not get there by yourself,” he said, “and it is a credit to my teammates and coaches."

It’s a year that’s been largely devoid of praise for the usually excelling Colts. With one game left, the team is tied for the worst record in the league, at 2-13. Their last game of the season will be Sunday in Jacksonville.

But Freeney’s stats hint at the good things that have been happening on the field, despite the losing record. In 15 games this season, he totaled 18 tackles, 7.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. On Dec. 11 in Baltimore, he became only the 26th player in NFL history to reach 100 quarterback sacks in his career.

"Dwight has been a prolific performer since his arrival here with the Colts," said Head Coach Jim Caldwell. "He has the tenacity, competitiveness, physical aspects and intellect required to be voted by his peers as a member of this prestigious fraternity. Dwight's selection to the Pro Bowl is well deserved."

Colts owner Jim Irsay said on Twitter after the announcement that he thinks Freeney is bound for the league's Hall of Fame: "Honolulu is just another port on the voyage 2 Canton for #93!"

His seven Pro Bowls tie him with running back Lenny Moore for the sixth-most in Colts history, the Colts said. Former teammate wide receiver Marvin Harrison has him beat by one, and quarterback Peyton Manning has been a Pro Bowl selection 11 times.

Freeney, taking to Twitter himself , said: "Thank you to all of my loyal fans...excited to represent the Colts in the Pro Bowl.. couldn't have done it without all of you."

Here’s a look at this year’s full Pro Bowl rosters:

AFC
Offense

• Wide Receivers — s-Wes Welker, New England; s-Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh; A.J. Green, Cincinnati; Brandon Marshall, Miami.
• Tackles — s-Joe Thomas, Cleveland; s-Jake Long, Miami; D'Brickashaw Ferguson, New York Jets.
• Guards — s-Logan Mankins, New England; s-Brian Waters, New England; Marshal Yanda, Baltimore.
• Centers — s-Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh; Nick Mangold, New York Jets.
• Tight Ends — s-Rob Gronkowski, New England; Antonio Gates, San Diego.
• Quarterbacks — s-Tom Brady, New England; Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh; Philip Rivers, San Diego.
• Running Backs — s-Ray Rice, Baltimore; Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville; Arian Foster, Houston.
• Fullback — s-Vonta Leach, Baltimore.

Defense

• Ends — s-Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis; s-Andre Carter, New England; Elvis Dumervil, Denver.
• Interior Linemen — s-Haloti Ngata, Baltimore; s-Vince Wilfork, New England; Richard Seymour, Oakland.
• Outside Linebackers — s-Terrell Suggs, Baltimore; s-Von Miller, Denver; Tamba Hali, Kansas City.
• Inside/Middle Linebackers — s-Ray Lewis, Baltimore; Derrick Johnson, Kansas City.
• Cornerbacks — s-Darrelle Revis, New York Jets; s-Champ Bailey, Denver; Johnathan Joseph, Houston.
• Free Safeties — s-Ed Reed, Baltimore; Eric Weddle, San Diego.
• Strong Safety — s-Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh.

Specialists

• Punter — Shane Lechler, Oakland.
• Placekicker — Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland.
• Kick Returner — Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh.
• Special Teamer — Matthew Slater, New England.
• Long Snapper — TBA.

NFC
Offense

• Wide Receiver — s-Calvin Johnson, Detroit; s-Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona; Steve Smith, Carolina; Greg Jennings, Green Bay.
• Tackles — s-Jason Peters, Philadelphia; s-Joe Staley, San Francisco; Jermon Bushrod, New Orleans.
• Guards — s-Jahri Evans, New Orleans; s-Carl Nicks, New Orleans; Davin Joseph, Tampa Bay.
• Centers — s-Ryan Kalil, Carolina; Scott Wells, Green Bay.
• Tight Ends — s-Jimmy Graham, New Orleans; Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta.
• Quarterbacks — s-Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay; Drew Brees, New Orleans; Eli Manning, New York Giants.
• Running Backs — s-LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia; Matt Forte, Chicago; Frank Gore, San Francisco.
• Fullback — s-John Kuhn, Green Bay.

Defense

• Ends — s-Jared Allen, Minnesota; s-Jason Babin, Philadelphia; Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants.
• Interior Lineman — s-Justin Smith, San Francisco; s-Jay Ratliff, Dallas; B.J. Raji, Green Bay.
• Outside Linebackers — s-DeMarcus Ware, Dallas; s-Clay Matthews, Green Bay; Lance Briggs, Chicago.
• Inside/Middle Linebackers — s-Patrick Willis, San Francisco; Brian Urlacher, Chicago.
• Cornerbacks — s-Charles Woodson, Green Bay; s-Carlos Rogers, San Francisco; Charles Tillman, Chicago.
• Free Safeties — s-Earl Thomas, Seattle;