Dec. 12, 1997
Three Cal Players Earn Pro-Bowl Berths
Cal will be well represented at the Pro Bowl scheduled on
Sunday, February 1 in Honolulu. The game will be televised live
by ABC-TV at 3:00 p.m. Pacific time.
Linebackers Hardy Nickerson of Tampa Bay and Ken Harvey of the
Washington Redskins have appeared in the bowl several times
with Nickerson making his third appearance in the last five
years and Harvey appearing for the fourth consecutive Pro Bowl.
However, a new Cal player who earned all-pro honors for the
first time this season is offensive tackle Todd Steussie of the
Minnesota Vikings.
A few Cal players had strong cases for Pro Bowl berths but were
left out. Included in that group is Tampa Bay defensive tackle
Chidi Ahanotu, who leads the Bucs and is tied for seventh in
the league with 10 sacks thus far. Also placekickers Doug Brien
of New Orleans and rookie Ryan Longwell are having big seasons.
Brien has knocked through 21 of 24 field goal attempts this
season with a long of 53 yards. Longwell has hit 22-of-27
attempts with a long of 50 yards. Finally, defensive end Regan
Upshaw is haveing a fine season with 6.5 sacks thus far.
Also, it is expected that Tony Gonzalez and Pat Barnes (both of
the Kansas City Chiefs) will be chosen to participate in the
Rookie Beach Bowl (a made for TV event) two days before the Pro
Bowl.
