Carolina Panthers LB Thomas Davis was ‘thrilled’ with first Pro Bowl selection

Carolina Panthers linebacker and the NFL’s reigning Walter Payton Man of the Year Thomas Davis was at a charity event Tuesday when he got the call he’s been waiting for his whole career.

General manager Dave Gettleman had Davis on speaker phone with coach Ron Rivera, defensive coordinator Sean McDermott and linebackers coach Al Holcomb to tell Davis that he had made his first Pro Bowl in 11 seasons in the league.

“And man you could hear it in his voice,” Rivera said. “He was just thrilled to death. It was exciting. That’s part of the reason why I do what I do working with these guys is seeing these guys have success.”

Davis is one of 10 Panthers who were selected to the 2016 Pro Bowl on Tuesday. He was joined by quarterback Cam Newton, fullback Mike Tolbert, guard Trai Turner, center Ryan Kalil, running back Jonathan Stewart, tight end Greg Olsen, linebacker Luke Kuechly, defensive tackle Kawann Short and cornerback Josh Norman.

But even though the Panthers got a league-leading 10 players into the Pro Bowl, there was at least one player missing who could be considered a snub.

Free safety Kurt Coleman is tied for second in the NFL in interceptions with seven, but he’s a second alternate for the Pro Bowl.

“I think everybody that got selected, I’m proud of the guys on this team and in this locker room and what we’ve been able to build here. And all the guys on different teams, it’s a tremendous honor for them,” Coleman said.

“My success does not ride open the opinions of others. That’s how I’ve lived my life and my career. I know what I can do and I know what I’m able to produce. If people give me that notoriety I don’t bank on that.

“Obviously it’s nice to put it on your resume, but at the end of the day I want to win it all.”

This story was originally published December 23, 2015 at 5:11 PM with the headline "Carolina Panthers LB Thomas Davis was ‘thrilled’ with first Pro Bowl selection."