What makes the All-Pro First and Second Team honors so prestigious is their objectivity and professionalism—
disregarding team records and instead evaluating a player's season purely on individual performance. Teams that reach the Super Bowl might not dominate the selections, and teams that fall short of the playoffs might still get multiple honorees.
That's exactly why All-Pro honors carry so much weight.
So when Lance, a rookie, burst onto the scene and secured the All-Pro First Team running back spot in his very first season, it became clear how much sway he already held within the league.
Pundits are usually harsh and overly critical—but when it mattered, Lance got the votes. They might not say it out loud, but their ballots don't lie.
As for the Pro Bowl, things were even more democratic.
Unlike the All-Pro teams, which prioritize professional judgment, the Pro Bowl places heavier emphasis on popularity. A player might miss out on All-Pro recognition but still shine on the All-Star stage thanks to public buzz.
This season was chaotic—upsets from regular season to postseason. So which teams actually captured fans' hearts?
The answer: the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Rams.
Pittsburgh led the league with ten Pro Bowlers, followed by the Rams with eight. Both teams were media darlings this year.
As for the two Super Bowl contenders, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles?
Both teams landed six Pro Bowlers—not a small number, but not extraordinary either.
Among the Chiefs' selections were quarterback Alex Smith, tight end Travis Kelce, wide receiver Tyreek Hill, running backs Kareem Hunt and Lance, and linebacker Justin Houston.
A glance shows heavy offensive skew—most fans still believed the Chiefs won through offense.
Lance?
He didn't just make the Pro Bowl—he dominated the vote.
Lance became the Pro Bowl vote king, earning the most votes of anyone in the league.
Another slice of history:
He became the first rookie ever to top all players in Pro Bowl voting.
While fans had joked beforehand that Chinese fans would outvote anyone, when the actual vote totals came in and showed Lance crushing the competition, admiration was universal.
The key difference with Pro Bowl selection is that each position gets three players—one starter and two backups—and the voting is split between the AFC and NFC. This ensures most top performers make the cut.
In the AFC running back vote, the battle included Lance, Hunt, Pittsburgh's Le'Veon Bell, and Buffalo's LeSean McCoy.
Lance led by a mile—even Bell, who had been dominant for three straight years, couldn't compete. That's how massive Lance's fanbase had become.
Even Brady, Rodgers, and Brees—the iconic QBs—couldn't beat Lance's vote count. That says it all.
The 2018 Pro Bowl was scheduled for January 28 in Orlando, Florida.
Traditionally held in Hawaii, the Pro Bowl offered players a short tropical getaway after a grueling season. This year, the NFL kept it stateside—but still in sunny Orlando.
For most of the NFL, this was the chillest two weeks of the year.
The postseason was mostly wrapped, the offseason wasn't yet here, and even players who weren't on Super Bowl teams could finally unwind.
But not everyone opted to go to the Pro Bowl.
It's a showpiece, an exhibition.
For grizzled veterans, it's just a title—one they can skip using "injury" as an excuse. Why risk unnecessary injury?
For rookies or long-time journeymen finally getting recognition, though, the Pro Bowl is a chance to shine. It boosts their brand, increases their market value, and proves they've finally "arrived."
For many, the Pro Bowl is their first taste of the spotlight.
And yet—
Lance didn't attend.
It wasn't a surprise. In fact, it was expected.
Players from Super Bowl teams typically skip the Pro Bowl—they're saving their bodies and minds for the real showdown.
But what made Lance's case unique was this:
He wasn't just another Super Bowl player.
He was the Pro Bowl vote king.
He had just nearly unseated Brady for MVP.
He was the story of the year.
So when Lance formally announced he'd be skipping the Pro Bowl, the league and media lost their minds—even Commissioner Goodell and Donald (presumably agent or executive) were stunned by the backlash.
The headlines exploded:
"Pro Bowl Vote King Withdraws"
"Lance Skips Pro Bowl, Another Blow to the All-Star Game"
"Lance Out of Pro Bowl, Sets Sights on the Super Bowl"
"Pro Bowl Loses Its Biggest Draw Before It Even Starts"
"China's First-Ever Live Broadcast of Pro Bowl May Flop Due to Lance's Absence"
"Focused on the Crown Jewel: Lance Declines the Pro Bowl"
"Lance Says 'No' to the Pro Bowl"
You'd think he dropped out of the Super Bowl or retired from football, the way the media reacted.
But one thing was now beyond doubt:
Lance's influence had reached a whole new level.
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Powerstones?
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