The selection of Evan Engram to the Pro Bowl was a shock to many New York Giants fans, but even Engram himself could not believe it.
The 26-year-old tight end, who has been the model of inconsistency this season, admitted on the New York Post “Blue Rush” podcast that he did not 100 percent know his name would be called, and only had an idea because he was tipped off in what he initially thought was a joke.
“I was leaving the facility and [Daniel Jones] said something and I really didn’t pay it any mind. He was like, ‘Bro, congrats on the Pro Bowl,’” Engram said. “I thought he was joking, so I just didn’t pay it any mind. And then I’m driving home and I get a call from our PR people and they’re setting up this Zoom with Howard Cross at 1:30 and it’s the most random time and the most random thing they ever really wanted me to do. So, I’m like, ‘There’s no way.’”
Engram said the Giants were trying to surprise him, explaining that the Zoom call with Cross included former players to talk about football and the season.
But when Engram logged on, he said Cross immediately congratulated him on his first career Pro Bowl selection.
“I was really shocked,” Engram said. “I was very surprised.”
Engram has 54 catches for 572 yards and two touchdowns this season, playing in every game thus far – a huge accomplishment for the oft-injured tight end.
But Engram also has six drops this season and has failed to make big plays when the Giants needed him most, leaving most fans scratching their heads over how in the world Engram made the Pro Bowl.
Compare that to, say, Green Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan, who has similar numbers – 49 receptions for 551 yards – but has hauled in 10 touchdown passes for the Packers, becoming a reliable target in Green Bay’s high-powered offense.
Tonyan did not make the Pro Bowl – Lions’ T.J. Hockenson is the other NFC tight end – but Engram garnered a big boost from the players and coaches’ portion of the vote.
“The peers and players, those are really the votes that matter the most,” Engram said. “I know from across the league, I’ve loved getting respect from other coaches and other players when I go out there and compete. That definitely means a lot to to me and makes me feel very deserving.”
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