Hardly anyone knows who the best long snappers in the NFL are, so long snappers aren’t included on Pro Bowl ballots. Instead, the coaches of the AFC and NFC Pro Bowl rosters are allowed to pick their own long snappers.
Now AFC coach Bill Belichick and NFC coach Mike Smith have made their picks: Dolphins long snapper John Denney will be on the AFC team, and the Giants’ Zak DeOssie will long snap for the NFC.
“It’s an honor to be named to the AFC Pro Bowl team and it always feels nice to be recognized by people attached to the game,” Denney said.
Said DeOssie, “In the back of my mind, I had a one-in-16 chance at the worst. So, I figured maybe I could be getting a call, maybe not. I don’t know how it works and who it’s up to ultimately, but apparently somebody down in Atlanta saw something that they like and they extended an invitation to me, which I’m very fortunate about.”