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Wilson drafted first for Pro Bowl

The Associated Press
January 28, 2016 at 4:42AM
This is a 2013 photo of Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of Wednesday, May 29, 2013 when this image was taken. (AP Photo) ORG XMIT: NFLHS13
Wilson (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was selected with the first pick in the Pro Bowl draft on Wednesday.

Wilson was chosen by Michael Irvin, who is serving as a Pro Bowl legend captain opposite fellow Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for Sunday's all-star game at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

Rice took New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning with the second overall pick in the draft.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones went with the third choice to Team Irvin, and Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack was drafted by Team Rice with the fourth pick.

Thirty-four players — mostly linemen and special teams players — were pre-drafted on Tuesday. Forty-eight more players were drafted or assigned Wednesday.

The second day of the draft was held in an airplane hangar at Wheeler Army Airfield, located in the town of Wahiawa in the central plain of Oahu, the most populated of the Hawaiian Islands. Only ticketed military members were allowed to attend the draft.

Team Irvin will have three Vikings: linebacker Anthony Barr, safety Harrison Smith and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Team Rice will have two: running back Adrian Peterson and defensive end Everson Griffen.

Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald are serving as active-player captains for Team Rice, while Falcons running back Devonta Freeman and Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Geno Atkins are captains for Team Irvin.

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McCarthy stays home

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy pulled out of his Pro Bowl coaching assignment, saying doctors have advised him not to travel as he battles a stomach illness.

The Packers staff will coach one team on Sunday and the staff of the Kansas City Chiefs will be on the other sideline. The Packers said associate head coach Winston Moss will handle head-coaching responsibilities instead of McCarthy.

Super Bowl ref named

Eighth-year referee Clete Blakeman will work his first Super Bowl on Feb. 7 when the Carolina Panthers play the Denver Broncos at Santa Clara, Calif.

Blakeman refereed the NFC divisional round between Green Bay and Arizona, when he needed to redo the coin toss for overtime when the coin didn't flip.

Collectively, the Super Bowl 50 officiating crew has 97 years of NFL experience and 62 combined playoff assignments.

Etc.

Washington Redskins General Manager Scot McCloughan told reporters at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., that he would rather sign free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins to a long-term deal than use the franchise tag on him.

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - 2008: Eli Manning of the New York Giants poses for his 2008 NFL headshot at photo day in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Getty Images)
Manning (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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