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Three former Ohio State stars made their way to Orlando last week for the week-long 2017 Pro Bowl celebration leading up to Sunday’s big game. Back to the traditional division format, Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier represented the AFC, with Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott and Rams long snapper Jake McQuaide suiting up for the NFC. Shazier and the AFC squad came away with a 20-13 win.
Ezekiel Elliott
Elliott was a hit all week long, and is quickly proving why he’s a fan favorite — even for those who aren’t Dallas fans. He did it all, from the dodgeball game to the power relay earlier in the week, then capped it off with some one-on-one time with a fan who decided to run onto the field during the Pro Bowl game.
It was pretty much all fun and games for the running back, who finished the game with only 20 yards on 8 carries. He took some snaps on special teams in punt coverage and spent the week palling around with his teammates Dak Prescott and Dez Bryant. It doesn’t matter what he did or didn’t do throughout the game — the highlight reel moment will be his interaction and foot race against a ballsy young man.
This guy is doing it right. If you're going to run on the field, make sure you've got @EzekielElliott on your side. #ProBowl pic.twitter.com/ggcMfoe77w
— Amber Derrow (@amberderrow) January 30, 2017
Zeke was able to joke about it on Twitter after:
— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) January 30, 2017
The NFC might not have won Sunday’s game, but the team didn’t walk away empty handed. Earlier in the week the NFC squad took home the trophy for the Pro Bowl Skills challenge. Elliott was one of the last players standing during the dodgeball win and finished off the team’s power relay by literally running through the wall.
NFC WINS!@EzekielElliott crashes through for the W! #ProBowlSkills https://t.co/R0DzigYX2v
— NFL (@NFL) January 27, 2017
Ryan Shazier
Shazier was a replacement for C.J. Mosley who was injured, and helped the AFC come away with a 20-13 win. In his first career Pro Bowl appearance, he finished the contest with 5 total tackles - 3 solo - and one pass defended. He also was a critical reason the NFC’s fake punt attempt wasn’t very successful.
NFC Fake Punt = Unsuccessful.
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 30, 2017
Credit: @RyanShazier. #ProBowl https://t.co/QcRX4uiMgA
With the 2017 Pro Bowl game in the bag, there is only one more week of NFL football left to close out the 2016 regular season. There is one Buckeye left fighting for a Super Bowl ring next Sunday: former Olympian and current New England Patriot, Nate Ebner.