Tom Brady Tops Fan Pro Bowl Voting
BOSTON (CBS) -- Tom Brady received more fan votes than anyone for the 2016 Pro Bowl, but most of those fans would probably prefer the Patriots QB to have no part in the NFL's all-star game.
Brady received 701,554 votes for the NFL's annual exhibition, edging out Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton (701,086 votes). He wasn't alone either, as Rob Gronkowski received 509,251 votes -- the highest total among non-quarterbacks and sixth overall.
Defensive end Chandler Jones, tied for sixth in the NFL with 10.5 sacks, was second among defensive ends with 258,486 votes. Rookie David Andrews also finished second among centers with 145,812 votes.
The Pats were well-represented on special teams as well. Stephen Gostkowski was the top vote-getter among kickers with 220,920 votes, while punter Ryan Allen (83,676 votes), special teams captain Matthew Slater (104,213 votes) and kick returner Danny Amendola (87,168 votes) were all second at their respective positions.
Fan voting, which ended on Tuesday, accounts for one-third of the Pro Bowl process. Those votes will be combined with votes from players and coaches, and the 2016 crop of Pro Bowlers will be revealed next Tuesday. This year's game will not feature the AFC against the NFC, as teams will be drafted by Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin on January 27. The game is set for Sunday, January 31 at Aloha Stadium in Hawaii.
While it's great that a number of Patriots received a healthy amount of fan votes, most would rather see them playing in Santa Clara the following weekend in Super Bowl 50.
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