With Christmas just days away, Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. reflected on his selection to the 2022 Pro Bowl on Thursday in his comments to the media. In a year where fans and pundits have criticized his play, few thought that Brown would be awarded the honor, but he was chosen as one of three players at his position to represent the best of the best in the AFC anyway.
Speaking to reporters, Brown seemed aware of just how fortunate he was to have been selected, and was excited for his fellow offensive linemen, center Creed Humphrey and guard Joe Thuney, who will also represent Kansas City on the Pro Bowl roster.
“It’s just nothing short of a blessing to be able to have the opportunity to be voted in [by] my fans, coaches, and players for the last four years, man. You know it’s very special. It’s an honor I don’t take lightly. But I’m so happy for the guys in the room that had the opportunity to make their first ones with Joe [Thuney] and Creed [Humphrey]. [They’re] two guys that come in here every single day, head down, working hard, taking coaching very well, [and they] have a ton of love and commitment to the game and to this franchise [and] to our room. I’m very happy for those two.”
The Chiefs’ investment in their offensive line to protect franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes has certainly paid off. There was a legitimate argument to be made that right guard Trey Smith was a deserving candidate for a Pro Bowl selection as well, and Mahomes has rarely seen his protection crumble while he is in the pocket this season.
The rest of the NFL should start to take notice of the talent that Kansas City has acquired up-front, and model their collective offensive approaches to reflect the strategy that Andy Reid and Brett Veach have put together in search of their third Super Bowl berth in four years.
