Darius Slay has been campaigning for the Pro Bowl for weeks. Today, he won the election.
The Detroit Lions' fifth-year cornerback is among the four NFC players selected to the Pro Bowl at CB, the NFL announced tonight. It's his first career selection.
Slay stood in front of his locker Monday, and explained to reporters all the reasons why he was pretty certain he'd earn the coveted Pro Bowl nod he's been hoping for going on three seasons now.
- He leads the NFL in interceptions with seven.
- His 27 passes defended also leads the league.
- Opposing quarterbacks have just a 56.3 passer rating when throwing into his coverage.
- He is one of the few cornerbacks in the league who consistently travels each and every week with the opponent's best receiver. This year, some of those names included: Antonio Brown, Julio Jones and Odell Beckham Jr.
"There should be no question about that," Slay said Monday. "I'm just ready for that phone call so I can get turned up. I might have to start a riot (if I don't get selected). I ain't going to lie."
No riots necessary.
Slay becomes the first Lions cornerback to be chosen for the game since Dre Bly in 2005.
"It's great to put on your resume," Slay said. "I can show my kids that anything is possible. It's good on my resume, and I'm ready to put it in my bios on social media."
Slay has certainly lived up to his "Big Play Slay" moniker this season, and his patented finger wave has been on full display.
He's been considered one of the best young cover corners in the league for a few seasons now, but the only thing missing from his game in previous seasons were the statistics to go along with his cover skills. Slay has more interceptions this season than he's had in his previous four seasons combined (6) after recording two more in Saturday's 20-10 win over Chicago.
At just 26 years old, and only one year into the four-year contract extension he signed last offseason, Slay and the Lions are hoping this is just the first of many more Pro Bowl selections to come.
Five Lions were also named Pro Bowl alternates including return specialist Jamal Agnew (1st), quarterback Matthew Stafford (2nd), guard T.J. Lang (3rd), wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (4th) and safety Glover Quin (4th).
