Schaub named Pro Bowl MVP

MIAMI, Fla-Matt Schaub wasn’t supposed to be here.

Since Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is playing in next Sunday’s Super Bowl, he had to withdrawal from this year’s Pro Bowl for obvious reasons. In addition, the Patriots’ Tom Brady and the Chargers’ Philip Rivers declined to play in the NFL’s annual all-star event due to injury.

The league then turned to their fourth option, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who also said no because of an injury.

Finally, after four of the AFC’s 16 signal-callers said no, Matt Schaub was offered the opportunity to say yes.

And boy, did he ever.

The six-year veteran completed 13 of 17 passes (76.5%) for 189 yards and two touchdowns while leading the AFC to a 41-34 win in the 2010 Pro Bowl. Schaub’s performance landed him the game’s Most Valuable Player award.

"It's a game you watch growing up as a kid and wonder if you could ever be in," Schaub told reporters after the game. "To actually be a part of it is incredible."

Schaub connected on first quarter touchdown passes of 33 and 23 yards to Houston teammate Andre Johnson and Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall, respectively.

What’s interesting is that many experts felt Schaub’s 2009 season was good enough to land him in the Pro Bowl without having to be selected as an alternate.

The Houston quarterback threw for an NFL-best 4,770 yards with 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions for the 9-7 Texans.

On a side note, Sunday night’s attendance was reported to be 70,697-the most for a Pro Bowl since 1959 when the game was played in Los Angeles.

Hit me up on Twitter: @JoeFortenbaugh

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