In the world of professional football, a Pro Bowl selection is often seen as a symbol of individual success—a recognition that a player has reached the upper tier of performance at their position. It’s the NFL’s version of an all-star nod, and for many athletes, it’s a key part of building a legacy. But as fans know all too well, the Pro Bowl isn’t always the perfect measure of greatness.
Over the years, plenty of outstanding players have carved out impressive, impactful careers without ever getting the call to the Pro Bowl. Whether it was due to playing in a small market, being overshadowed by flashier stars, or just plain bad timing, these athletes somehow flew under the radar. In this article, we take a closer look at 15 remarkable NFL players who, despite their talent and contributions to the game, never made a single Pro Bowl appearance. Their stories prove that accolades don’t always tell the whole story.
14. Brandin Cooks, Wide Receiver
Brandin Cooks has been a consistent playmaker throughout his NFL career, amassing over 9,000 receiving yards and 57 touchdowns across 148 games. Despite his impressive stats and versatility, playing for five different teams, Cooks has surprisingly never been selected for a Pro Bowl, showcasing the depth of talent at the wide receiver position.
13. David Lee, Punter
David Lee, a punter for the Baltimore Colts from 1966 to 1978, never made a Pro Bowl despite his impressive career. In his rookie season, he led the NFL with a 45.6-yard gross punting average and a remarkable 41.7-yard net average, which would have led the league for 41 out of 42 years from 1967 to 2008.
12. Simon Fletcher, Linebacker
Simon Fletcher, a Denver Broncos legend, played from 1985 to 1995 without a single Pro Bowl selection. He recorded 97.5 sacks, setting the Broncos’ all-time record until it was surpassed in 2018. Fletcher’s durability was remarkable, playing in 172 consecutive games. In 2016, he was inducted into the Broncos’ Ring of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the franchise’s greatest players.
11. Johnny Sample, Safety
Johnny Sample played 11 seasons (1958–1968) for four professional football teams, including the Baltimore Colts and New York Jets. He intercepted 41 passes, recovered 13 fumbles, and won three championships, including Super Bowl III. Despite his impressive career, Sample never received a Pro Bowl nod, possibly due to his outspoken nature and controversial reputation.
10. Reggie McKenzie, Guard
Reggie McKenzie, a key player for the Buffalo Bills from 1972 to 1982, was instrumental in O.J. Simpson’s historic 2,000-yard rushing season. Despite never making a Pro Bowl, McKenzie was a first-team All-NFL selection in 1973 and second-team in 1974. He appeared in 171 games over his 13-year career, showcasing remarkable durability and consistency.
9. Carl Hairston, Defensive End
Carl “Big Daddy” Hairston terrorized offenses for 15 seasons, accumulating 96 career sacks. Despite never making a Pro Bowl, he was a key player in the Eagles’ 1980 Super Bowl run. Hairston’s tenacity and high motor made him a feared pass rusher, consistently outworking opponents throughout his career.
8. Manny Fernandez, Defensive Tackle
Manny Fernandez was a dominant force for the Miami Dolphins’ “No-Name Defense” in the 1970s. Despite never making a Pro Bowl, he played a crucial role in three consecutive Super Bowl appearances, including a legendary 17-tackle performance in Super Bowl VII. Fernandez’s consistent play earned him two second-team All-Pro selections.
7. Julian Edelman, Wide Receiver
Julian Edelman played 11 seasons for the Patriots, amassing 620 catches, 6,822 yards, and 41 touchdowns. A clutch performer, he won three Super Bowls and earned Super Bowl LIII MVP honors. Despite his impressive career and postseason heroics, Edelman never received a Pro Bowl nod.
6 Rocky Bleier, Running Back
Rocky Bleier, a Vietnam War veteran, overcame severe injuries to become a key player for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite never making a Pro Bowl, Bleier won four Super Bowls and rushed for 3,865 yards in his career. His 1,036 rushing yards in 1976 helped form one of the NFL’s most formidable backfield duos with Franco Harris.
5. Fuzzy Thurston, Guard
Fuzzy Thurston was a key player in Vince Lombardi’s dominant Green Bay Packers teams of the 1960s. Despite never making a Pro Bowl, Thurston was a crucial part of the Packers’ offensive line, helping the team win five NFL championships and the first two Super Bowls. He was named First-team All-Pro in 1961 and Second-team All-Pro four times.
4. Jethro Pugh, Defensive Tackle
Jethro Pugh was a dominant force on the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive line from 1965 to 1978. Despite never making a Pro Bowl, Pugh led the team in sacks for five consecutive seasons (1968-1972) and is credited with 95.5 career sacks. He played a crucial role in two Super Bowl victories and appeared in a then-record 23 playoff games.
3. Jim Plunkett, Quarterback
Jim Plunkett, a two-time Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl XV MVP, surprisingly never made a Pro Bowl during his 16-year NFL career. Despite his postseason success with the Raiders, including 164 career touchdown passes and 25,882 passing yards, Plunkett’s regular season performances were often overshadowed by injuries and inconsistency.
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2. Ken Riley, Cornerback
Ken Riley, a Cincinnati Bengals cornerback from 1969 to 1983, never made a Pro Bowl despite his impressive career. He recorded 65 interceptions, ranking fifth all-time in NFL history. Riley was finally recognized for his contributions when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023.
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1. Joey Galloway, Wide Receiver
Joey Galloway’s 16-season NFL career was marked by explosive plays and consistent production. He amassed 701 receptions for 10,950 yards and 77 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 15.6 yards per catch. Despite three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with Tampa Bay (2005-2007), Galloway never received a Pro Bowl nod.
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