Before the playoffs begin for the National Football League, the All-Pro Team was announced on Friday.
Four alums from the University of Alabama were recognized, including Derrick Henry and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Both players were selected first-team NFL All-Pro for their efforts. Henry, who is in his fifth season with the Tennessee Titans, posted his third consecutive 1,000-yard rushing campaign.
He is a two-time NFL rushing champion and became the eighth player in league history to record 2,000 yards rushing in a single season.
The 6-foot-3, 247-pounder recorded 2,027 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns on 378 carries.
He averaged 126.7 yards rushing per game and collected ten 100-yard performances this season.
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Henry guided the Titans (11-5) to its first AFC South Division crown since 2008.
As for Fitzpatrick, the former All-American safety leads the Pittsburgh Steelers in tackles (79) and interceptions (four) while tallying for 11 pass breakups. He chimes in with one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one touchdown. Fitzpatrick has the Steelers with the No. 3 seed (12-4) in the AFC playoffs.
The duo of Calvin Ridley (Atlanta Falcons) and Ryan Kelly (Indianapolis Colts) made second team All-Pro.
Ridley used his third NFL season to account for his first career 1,000-yard performance (1,374) with nine scores on 90 catches.
He averaged 91.6 yards per game and had eight 100-yard outings. Despite not making the playoffs, Ridley is becoming one of the best young talents in the league at wide receiver.
He is tied for fifth in the NFL for receptions and tied for 10th in touchdowns.
Kelly has the Colts in the playoffs at 11-5.
With him at center, Indianapolis has gotten success from Philip Rivers and Jonathan Taylor.
Rivers has 4,169 passing yards with 24 touchdowns to 11 interceptions, while Taylor stands at 1,169 yards rushing and 11 scores.
Kelly’s technique in protecting Rivers has produced a trio of 500-plus yard receivers — T.Y. Hilton, Zach Pascal and Michael Pittman Jr. — with Hilton leading the unit with 762 yards and five touchdowns. Kelly has blocked for the Colts to score 30+ points in at least six games.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith
