SU Red Raider alumnus Brent Grimes has recently been named to the 2016 Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii, which takes place on Jan. 31. Grimes is a cornerback for the Miami Dolphins and was originally named as an alternate player for the Pro Bowl, but starting defensive back Aqib Talib is playing in the Super Bowl with Denver, so Grimes was chosen to replace him.

This is Grimes’ fourth Pro Bowl selection and third in a row since he joined the Miami Dolphins in 2013. He ended the season with 4 interceptions and over 40 tackles. Grimes battled injuries throughout the season, so to reach these marks and to be voted to the Pro Bowl is a real accomplishment. It definitely was not his best ever season, since he ended the 2010 season with over 80 tackles and 5 interceptions. Such a lackluster season has prompted many critics to question his being voted to the Pro Bowl, even as an alternate.

When fans vote for the Pro Bowl, they take into account the current season’s stats as well as the player’s name and what they have done in the past. So Grimes had average numbers, but his name and his impressive last few seasons factored into him making the game. Besides, the Pro Bowl is meant to be a fun game where good players who did not make the Super Bowl can play one last time this season. They do not put in 100 percent since the game has no real meaning, other than a cash prize to both teams. On Wednesday at the Pro Bowl Draft, Grimes was drafted by Hall of Fame captain Jerry Rice.

Grimes was a three-time All-American while playing for the Red Raiders and also served as a return specialist. He was a six-time All-PSAC Western Division selection, three as a cornerback and three as a return specialist. Grimes recorded 27 interceptions in 43 appearances for the Raiders, a PSAC record. He is one of the greatest football players to ever come out of SU, as evidenced by the records of the Raiders during and after his years at SU. In 2002, Grimes’ first season, the team went 6-5. He recorded 8 interceptions that year. The following season, the team went 8-3 and Grimes had 7 interceptions. The next year was even better: the team went 10-2 and Grimes once again had 7 interceptions. Grimes’ last season at SU was not as impressive: Grimes had 5 interceptions and the team fell to 4-7. He signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2007. Grimes has cemented himself as one of the best corners in the NFL. He will join fellow alumnus John Kuhn at the Pro Bowl. Kuhn is a fullback for the Green Bay Packers. SU is sending more players to the Pro Bowl this year than nearby Division I schools like West Virginia and Maryland. SU is sending Grimes and Kuhn to the Pro Bowl in back-to-back seasons, as both Grimes and Kuhn participated in last year’s event. Tune into the NFL Pro Bowl on Sunday night at 7 p.m. on ESPN.

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