Cardinals safety Budda Baker makes 4th straight Pro Bowl, named starter for NFC
Dec 21, 2022, 6:24 PM | Updated: 6:30 pm
Safety Budda Baker #3 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts to a fumble recovery against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 20-12. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The NFL announced full rosters for the 2023 Pro Bowl Games on Wednesday, and Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker was named a starter for the NFC.
Cardinals kicker Matt Prater and special teamer Dennis Gardeck were selected as alternates.
Baker has continued to play at a star level despite the challenges the Cardinals have faced this year and will represent the team at his fourth straight Pro Bowl. It is the fifth selection of his career, as he made the game on special teams as a rookie in 2017.
The 26-year-old leads the Cardinals and is 22nd in the NFL in solo tackles with 69. Baker has had double-digit total tackles in four games this year, a pair of interceptions and six passes defensed.
Budda! #BirdCityFootball
📺: #AZvsDEN on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/W6A4BDcRnV pic.twitter.com/hdPSNdlb7V— NFL (@NFL) December 18, 2022
He leads all Arizona defenders in total snaps with 940 having not missed a game.
Baker has been a leader on and off the field as a captain, highlighted by this locker room speech captured by Hard Knocks cameras.
Passion and leadership from @Buddabaker3 💯#HardKnocks In Season with the @AZCardinals premieres tomorrow at 10pm ET on @HBOMax pic.twitter.com/ancl5TrxFy
— NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2022
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Historically, Baker became the third Cardinals safety to make four Pro Bowls after Adrian Wilson (eight) and Larry Wilson (five). He is also the third Cardinals player to make five Pro Bowls in his first six seasons after Patrick Peterson (six) and Ollie Matson (six).
The other NFC safeties to make the team were Quandre Diggs of the Seattle Seahawks and Talanoa Hufanga of the San Francisco 49ers.
Former Cardinals edge rusher Haason Reddick also made the team for the first time in his career.
Last season, the Cardinals had four Pro Bowlers and nine alternates.
The 2023 Pro Bowl Games will offer skills challenges starting Feb. 2 and end with the AFC vs. NFC flag football game on Feb. 5 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
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