Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and center Jason Kelce were named to the 2018 Associated Press NFL All-Pro first team, the fourth straight season for Cox on the team – but only time on the first team – and the second consecutive All-Pro honor for Kelce.
Both were more than deserving.
The Associated Press NFL All-Pro team is based on voting from a nationwide panel of 50 media members.
"It's definitely an honor and I am thankful," said Cox, who also has four Pro Bowl selections on a résumé that is approaching a Pro Football Hall of Fame level. "I'm focused on the playoffs but being named an All-Pro is something that I appreciate and respect."
Said Kelce: "Obviously, it feels good to be respected by your peers. These individual awards, you always have to take with a grain of salt. It's such a team sport and I'm very fortunate to play on an incredible offensive line for an incredible coach and you're put in a lot of good situations, situations that are beneficial for my skill set. There's a quote from (offensive line coach) Jeff Stoutland, 'No man is an island. You must draw your strength from others.' It's not exactly from Jeff Stoutland – it's a pretty popular quote – but he likes to use that one often. I think it's certainly true. Whenever you see those individual accolades, especially in this game, you'd better be aware of how much everybody else is making you look good."
What makes Kelce's honor even more significant is that his brother, Travis (who plays with Kansas City), was also named to the NFL's All-Pro Team ahead of Eagles tight end Zach Ertz.
"I'm just happy for him, having a great year. They're playing really good ball right now," Kelce said. "It's kind of crazy. Both of us envisioned playing at this level growing up and as we've both had success, it's always fun to think back to playing in the backyard together, fighting with each other, so it makes it that much more fun to reminisce about."
Amazingly, Ertz was left off both the first and second teams (San Francisco's George Kittle was named the second-team All-Pro tight end) even though Ertz set a single-season NFL record for tight ends with 116 receptions to go along with 1,163 yards and eight touchdowns.
