STILLWATER, Okla. - Former Oklahoma State and current Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Russell Okung was named as a Pro Bowl starter today. It is the first career Pro Bowl selection for Okung. It also marks the 52nd Pro Bowl selection for a former Oklahoma State Cowboy.
The first draft pick of the Pete Carroll era in Seattle, Okung has started 14 games at left tackle this season.
With Okung paving the way, the Seahawks offense has been on fire of late, racking up 150 points in its last three contests for the third-most points in a three-game span in NFL history and the most since 1950. The Seahawks have won six of their last seven games and have clinched a playoff berth. They rank second in the NFL in rushing offense.
Okung has been instrumental in opening lanes for the NFL's second-leading rusher, Marshawn Lynch, and he most recently pitched a shutout against the NFL's sack leader, San Francisco's Aldon Smith, in last week's prime-time contest.
During his time at Oklahoma State, Okung started 52 games, including the final 47 contests of his career. A 2009 Outland Trophy finalist, Okung helped pave the way for a Cowboy offense that led the Big 12 in rushing during each of his four seasons as a starter. He registered 317 knock-downs with 48 touchdown-resulting blocks during his time as a starter. During his final two collegiate seasons, Okung's 30 touchdown-resulting blocks were tops in the Big 12.
The 2013 Pro Bowl will be played on Jan. 27 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. Votes by fans, coaches and players are used in determining who plays in the Pro Bowl. The consensus vote of each group counts one-third toward the total. Each team submits two ballots - those of the coach and the players with no one allowed to vote for a player on his own team.
Oklahoma State' All-Time Pro Bowl Selections
Barry Sanders, RB (10 Pro Bowls from 1989-98)
Leslie O'Neal, DE (Six Pro Bowls from 1989-90 and 1992-95) Kevin Williams, DT (Six Pro Bowls in 2004 and 2006-10)
Thurman Thomas, RB (Five Pro Bowls from 1989-93)
Jerry Sherk, DL (Four Pro Bowls from 1973-76)
Tony Banfield, DB (Three Pro Bowls 1961-63)
Jason Gildon, LB (Three Pro Bowls from 2000-02)
Dale Meinert, LB/G (Three Pro Bowls in 1963, 1965 and 1967)
Jamal Williams, DL (Three Pro Bowls from 2005-07)
Billy Grimes, HB (Two Pro Bowls in 1950 and 1951)
Cary Blanchard, K (One Pro Bowl in 1996)
Walt Garrison, RB (One Pro Bowl in 1972)
Jon Gilliam, OL (One Pro Bowl in 1961)
Dexter Manley, DE (One Pro Bowl in 1986) Antonio Smith, DE (One Pro Bowl in 2012)
Duane Wood, DB (One Pro Bowl in 1963)
