Eight 49ers earned selection onto the NFL Pro Bowl team, the league announced Friday evening.
The players chosen to the team were:
RB Frank Gore: He needs just 47 yards to achieve 10,000 yards rushing for his career. Gore is a five-time Pro Bowl performer. He has 1,114 yards and nine touchdowns on 263 carries.
TE Vernon Davis: The team’s second-leading receiver was chosen for the second time in his eight-year career. Davis has 49 catches for 805 yards and 12 touchdowns.
LT Joe Staley: The 49ers’ most consistent offensive lineman (he happens to also play the most difficult position) has made the Pro Bowl in three consecutive seasons.
G Mike Iupati: He missed four games with a knee injury but the fourth-year pro still makes the Pro Bowl in back-to-back seasons.
DL Justin Smith: He was never been chosen to the Pro Bowl in his seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He is a Pro Bowler for the fifth time in six years with the 49ers.
OLB Ahmad Brooks: He is tied with Aldon Smith for the team-lead with 8 ½ sacks, while also playing well against the run. This is his first trip to the Pro Bowl.
LB NaVorro Bowman: The 49ers’ leading tackler and author of “Pick Six to Close the ‘Stick” earns his second Pro Bowl appearance in two seasons.
LB Patrick Willis: He’s been in the NFL for seven seasons, and he has seven Pro Bowl appearances.
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Among the 49ers players snubbed:
--WR Anquan Boldin was chosen as an alternate. He leads the 49ers with 76 catches for 1,030 yards and six touchdowns.
--G Alex Boone was chosen as an alternate.
--SS Donte Whitner was chosen as an alternate. He made the Pro Bowl last season, and he’s having an even better year.
--ST C.J. Spillman is an alternate. He was the only 49ers player to lead the fans vote. Yet, the players and coaches did not choose him. This is a big-time snub. Spillman has been outstanding on special teams ever since coming to the 49ers in 2010.
--P Andy Lee, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, is an alternate. He is third in the NFL with a 48.6 average, and fourth with a net 41.9 average.
--FS Eric Reid, a rookie, was chosen as an alternate. He has four interceptions.
--OLB Aldon Smith has 8 ½ sacks despite missing five games while taking a voluntary leave of absence to seek treatment for substance abuse. He was not even listed on the ballot.
--K Phil Dawson has made 29 of 32 field-goal attempts, including 26 in a row.
