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B1G running backs are owning the Pro Bowl.
When Pittsburgh running back and former Michigan State Spartan Le’Veon Bell bowed out of this weekend’s Pro Bowl because of a long season and a groin injury sustained in the AFC Championship, another former B1G ball-carrier was selected as his replacement.
Melvin Gordon will be taking Bell’s spot on the AFC roster in Orlando after rushing for 997 yards and 10 TDs on 254 carries in his second season.
Congratulations, @Melvingordon25!
Melvin has been named to the 2017 Pro Bowl. He will replace Le'Veon Bell. pic.twitter.com/M96QJ5CgVO
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 23, 2017
He also caught 41 passes for 419 yards and a pair of scores for the Chargers in 2016.
Bell was initially selected to the Pro Bowl after a 1,268-yard, seven-TD season.
Ezekiel Elliott is the other B1G running back who will be in Orlando on Sunday, after leading the NFL with 1,631 rushing yards and 15 TDs.
The B1G would’ve been better represented had Gordon been on the roster alongside Bell rather than replacing him, but serving as the alternate is still a pretty good showing for the conference.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB