Cardinals’ Baker, Hopkins, Murray named to 2020 virtual NFL Pro Bowl

Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins was named to the NFL Pro Bowl for the fifth time in his career on Monday, while safety Budda Baker was named to his third. In addition, Kyler Murray made his first.

For the two who have been there before, it will be the first time they don’t need to worry about opting out.

The Pro Bowl will play out on the EA Sports Madden NFL 21 video game after the real-life version of football’s all-star game was canceled.

The NFL opened month-long fan voting in November for the first virtual Pro Bowl, which could feature players whose team makes the Super Bowl because they won’t have to attend and play in real life.

The game itself, originally scheduled for Jan. 31 in Las Vegas, was called off because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s the first time the Pro Bowl has been canceled since 1949, and owners voted to hold the 2022 version in Las Vegas if it happens.

Baker led all safeties from either conference with 215,520 votes.

The Cardinals star, who made his first Pro Bowl appearance as a safety last year, is sixth in the NFL with 79 solo tackles to go with two sacks, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions and a forced fumble.

Hopkins led Pro Bowl fan voting at his position for much of the process but was caught in the final tally by Seattle Seahawks receiver D.K. Metcalf, who received 271,568.

As of Monday, Hopkins led the NFL with 1,324 receiving yards. He’s second with 103 receptions to Buffalo Bills receiver Stefon Diggs’ 111.

Murray, who was an alternate as a rookie, has 3,637 yards passing for 26 touchdowns through 14 games. He also has 741 rushing yards and 11 more touchdowns on the ground, with those scores tied for the second most leaguewide. He joins Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson as the NFC’s quarterbacks.

“Obviously a huge honor, but I think just like any other individual award, I wouldn’t be able to make the Pro Bowl if it weren’t for my teammates, coaches, everybody in the building that allows me to do what I do,” Murray said via Zoom on Tuesday.

“It’s a blessing. As a kid playing Madden, playing the Pro Bowl, watching the Pro Bowl growing up, I always wanted to be in that position and now to be able to say that I’m a Pro Bowler is special.”

Fan voting for the Pro Bowl was open through Dec. 17, while players and coaches casted their votes Dec. 18. A total of 88 players were selected, 44 each from the AFC and NFC.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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