Dec. 26, 2012

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BERKELEY - Four former Cal players were selected Wednesday when the NFL announced rosters for the 2013 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl to be played January 27 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) and tight end Tony Gonzalez (Atlanta Falcons0 were selected as starters by coaches, fans and players. Running back Marshawn Lynch (Seattle Seahawks) was named as a reserve, while Lorenzo Alexander (Washington Redskins) was picked as a special teamer.

The 2013 Pro Bowl is scheduled to be televised by NBC and can also be viewed online at NBCSports.com. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. PT/2 p.m. HT.

Gonzalez was selected to his 12th Pro Bowl, while Rodgers and Lynch will both be playing in their third. Alexander was named to the team for the first time after being an alternate for the 2012 contest.

Rodgers is the NFL's top-rated passer (106.2) for all quarterbacks with more than one attempt per game for a team that has won its second straight NFC North title in 2012. He is also among the league's top 10 in touchdown passes (35, 2nd), completion percentage (343-512, 67.0%, 4th among QB's with more than one attempt per game), completions (343, 8th) and passing yardage (3930, 9th).

Gonzalez is tied for eighth in the league in 2012 with 88 receptions for 889 yards and eight touchdown catches for a team that has clinched home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, the NFC South title and a playoff berth with a 13-2 record that is the best in the NFL. He is in his 16th NFL season and ranks among the league's all-time leaders in receptions (1237, 2nd), touchdown catches (103, 6th) and receiving yards (14227, 7th) over 253 games and 235 starts. He leads all active NFL players in receptions, while ranking second behind Randy Moss of the San Francisco 49ers in both touchdown catches and receiving yards.

Lynch is second in the NFL in rushing yards with a career-high 1,490 that marks his fourth career 1,000-yard rushing season in his sixth NFL campaign. He also ranks tied for second in the NFL in rushing touchdowns (11) and fourth in carries (297), while sporting a career-best 5.0 yards per carry that is the fourth-highest among the league's top 10 rushing yardage gainers. His Seattle squad clinched a playoff berth in its most recent game with a victory over San Francisco.

Alexander has contributed 43 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery for a team that has moved into sole possession of first place in the NFC East and has a current six-game win streak that is the second-longest in the NFL. A victory on Sunday over Dallas would give the Redskins the NFC East title and a playoff spot.