Heyward one of four All-Pros
ALL-PRO, FROM C-1 Pro Bowl voting, as a 3-4 end, he was grouped in with 4-3 ends who typically have higher profiles as pass rushers. Combine that tweak with a career high in sacks, and you’ve got an end result that Heyward spent years pursuing.
“Every year is different,” Heyward said. “I know the numbers are definitely different. Whether I was deserving or not [in previous years], I don’t know. To this point, this has been my best year.
“It’s one of those things I can tell my kids I was AllPro. I’m very happy to be recognized like that. It’s unbelievable.”
Brown, the NFL’s leading receiver, showed up on all 50 ballots despite missing two games and most of a third. He was among four players to make a fourth All-Pro squad, joining New England tight end Rob Gronkowski, Carolina linebacker Luke Kuechly and Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker.
This is the second firstteam nod for DeCastro and Bell, who got his first in 2014.
“My rookie year I got hurt. I look at it as my two full years I played I made it. It’s a great honor to me,” Bell said.
“It’s something I always have in the back of my mind. That’s what I want at the end of the year. When I actually accomplish a goal as an individual it feels great to me. We’ve been winning games, too, so it’s a great honor.”
Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman and Pitt alum Aaron Donald appeared on 49 of 50 ballots.