Miles Killebrew gets 1st Pro Bowl nod, joins Steelers teammates T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick

Outside linebacker T.J. Watt and free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick are used to being recognized by their NFL peers for what they accomplish on the football field.

Such accolades aren’t as common for Miles Killebrew.

The veteran special teams player joined his more decorated Pittsburgh Steelers teammates Wednesday when Killebrew, Watt and Fitzpatrick were named to represent the team in the Pro Bowl Games.

Watt was named to the Pro Bowl roster for the sixth time. For Fitzpatrick, the honor was his fourth.

Killebrew, who is in his third season with the Steelers and eighth in the NFL, was selected for the first time.

Watt and Killebrew were selected as starters. Fitzpatrick, who has played in just 10 games because of injuries, is a reserve.

Killebrew has blocked two punts this season, three during his tenure with the Steelers and four for his career. His three blocked punts as a Steelers player are tied for the most by any team — not an individual player — in the NFL over the past three seasons.

Killebrew also leads the Steelers with 13 special teams tackles. No other player on the team has more than seven.

Watt has been selected to appear in the Pro Bowl in each of the past six seasons. The only year he wasn’t selected was his rookie season in 2017. Watt is tied for the NFL lead with 17 sacks. A candidate to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award for the second time in three years, Watt also has an interception, eight pass breakups, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

A day earlier, Watt was named team MVP for the fourth time in his career, tying a franchise record.

Despite missing six games with injuries, Fitzpatrick continues to rank second on the team with 64 tackles, including 43 solo. He had three pass breakups and a tackle for a loss.