HPA Grad Unger Named NFC Pro Bowl Starter
Unless the Seattle Seahawks make the Super Bowl in February, Max Unger will be returning home to represent the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL’s all-star exhibition.
The graduate of Hawaii Preparatory Academy beat out Green Bay’s Jeff Saturday to start at center for the National Football Conference in the 2013 Pro Bowl, played January 27th at Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium.
Unger was selected as part of a process that includes fans, coaches, and players. Each group’s vote equals one-third of the overall equation that determines not only the starters for both the NFC and AFC, but also each team’s reserves.
Unger, in his fourth year in the league, has started every game so far this season. He missed one game in 2011 and played in only one game in 2010. He started all 16 games in his rookie season in Seattle. He is joined by fellow teammates Marshawn Lynch, Russell Okung, Earl Thomas, and Leon Washington. Okung will join Unger as a starter on the offensive line.
The Seattle Seahawks are playoff bound this season and could win the NFC West division with a win and a San Francisco loss on Sunday. The Seahawks host the St. Louis Rams while the 49ers host the Arizona Cardinals. Seattle is assured a Wild Card spot in the postseason, but could finish with the second seed if the above happens with a Green Bay loss against Minnesota.
If Seattle makes the Super Bowl, Unger would not be allowed to play in the Pro Bowl.