Dawkins, Miller Named to Pro Bowl

Dec. 22, 2006

Clemson, SC – Former Clemson players Brian Dawkins and Justin Miller have been named the NFL’s Pro Bowl game. The contest will be played in Honolulu in February. Dawkins, a starting safety with the Philadelphia Eagles, will play for the NFC, while Miller, a starting cornerback for the New York Jets, will play for the AFC. Miller, in his second year in the league, was named to the Pro Bowl as a kick returner.

This is the first time since 2002 that Clemson has had two players named to the Pro Bowl. That year Dawkins and Trevor Pryce were both named.

Dawkins was named for the sixth time in his 11-year NFL career. That is tied for the most Pro Bowl selections by a former Clemson player with Michael Dean Perry, who was a six-time selection for Cleveland and Denver over his nine-year career. Dawkins is just the fourth Philadelphia Eagle to be named to six pro bowls joining Chuck Bednarik (8), Reggie White (7) and Pete Pihos (6).

Dawkins has 87 tackles this season, including 67 first hits to rank among the leaders on the Eagles defense. He has eight passes defensed, three interceptions and five caused fumbles. He had his best all-around game of the year in the Eagles win over the New York Giants last Sunday when he had 12 tackles, a interception and two caused fumbles.

Miller is second in the NFL in kickoff return average with a 28.7 figure on 43 returns. He has two kickoff returns for touchdowns this year, joining Devin Hester as the only NFL player with two kickoff returns for touchdowns this year. Hester, the former Miami (FL) star, was named as the kickoff returner for the NFC team.

Miller, who ranked third in the NFL in kickoff returns last year as a rookie, has played in 14 games at cornerback for the Jets and has 47 tackles and five passes defensed. Miller is the first former Clemson player to make the Pro Bowl as a kick returner. Tony Horne led the NFL in kickoff return average in 1999, but was not named to the Pro Bowl.

Most Pro Bowl Selections by Former Clemson Players

Player – Team (Seasons/Years) Brian Dawkins – Philadelphia Eagles (1999-01-02-04-05-06/6) Michael Dean Perry – Cleveland Browns and *Denver Broncos (1989-90-91-93-94 and *96/6) Chester McGlockton – Oakland Raiders (1994-95-96-97/4) Trevor Pryce – Denver Broncos (1999-00-01-02/4) Ray Mathews – Pittsburgh Steelers (1952-53-55/3) Charlie Waters – Dallas Cowboys (1976-77-78/3)