Riding the wave of international popularity, 49ers special-teams player Mark Nzeocha is atop the list of NFL Pro Bowl voting.
Nzeocha, who played college football at Wyoming, is from Neusitz, Germany. The small town is located approximately an hour east of Nuremberg in the southern part of the country. His parents and two of his brothers still live there.
“It’s a big thing back home,” Nzeocha said last week. “In Germany, they’re promoting it big time.
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“Over the years, the interest in football has been growing. But I had no idea.”
[RELATED: Door opened for Mark Nzeocha]
Nzeocha and fullback Kyle Juszczyk are the only 49ers players who lead in the Pro Bowl voting through Dec. 4.
Nzeocha is the top vote-getter among special teams players. He is second on the 49ers with six special-teams tackles. Raheem Mostert, who sustained a fractured forearm in Week 10, leads the 49ers with seven special-teams tackle.
San Francisco 49ers
Tight end George Kittle ranks third in voting, while defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is No. 4 and kicker Robbie Gould is No. 5.
Votes from fans count one-third in the Pro Bowl selection process, with votes from players and coaches also counting one-third apiece.
Fullback
1, Kyle Juszczyk, 49ers
2, Anthony Sherman, Chiefs
3, Roosevelt Nix , Steelers
4, Zach Line, Saints
5, Alex Armah, Panthers
Tight end
1, Travis Kelce, Kansas City
2, Zach Ertz, Philadelphia
3, George Kittle, 49ers
4, Eric Ebron, Indianapolis
5, Rob Gronkowski, New England
Defensive tackle
1, Aaron Donald, L.A. Rams
2, Geno Atkins, Cincinnati
3, Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh
4, DeForest Buckner, 49ers
5, Sheldon Rankins, New Orleans
Kicker
1, Wil Lutz, New Orleans
2, Graham Gano, Carolina
3, Justin Tucker, Baltimore
4, Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh
5, Robbie Gould, 49ers
Special teams
1, Mark Nzeocha, 49ers
2, Roosevelt Nix, Pittsburgh
3, Justin Hardee, New Orleans
4, Sherrick McManis, Chicago
5, Matt Slater, New England