Matt Overton Named to the Pro Bowl

When the Pro Bowl rosters were first announced, only outside linebacker Robert Mathis made the team as a member of the Colts.  Now a second Colt will be joining Colts head coach Chuck Pagano and his staff in Hawaii for the NFL's annual all-star game, it was announced today.  Long snapper Matt Overton was named to the Pro Bowl for special teams.  It is Overton's first career selection.

This year Overton was a member of a very successful special teams unit for Indianapolis.  Kicker Adam Vinatieri set a career high with 35 field goals made and 40 field goals attempted and made 19 of 23 attempts from 40 or more yards out.  Punter Pat McAfee set a new franchise record with 27 punts downed inside the 20 yard line.  In two seasons with the Colts, Overton has yet to miss a game and has recorded 14 special teams tackles.

The 28-year old Overton had a long road to get to the NFL, as just two years ago he was collecting unemployment checks.  He spent time playing in the United Football League and in 2012 was invited to training camp, where he beat out longtime veteran long snapper Justin Snow for the spot.  Since then, he has played in all 32 regular season and all 3 postseason games for the Colts.  His work off the field has been even more tremendous, as he has been heavily involved with Riley Children's Hospital and has been a great influence there and on the community.  Overton is certainly deserving of a spot in the Pro Bowl and a trip to Hawaii.

"It's just a huge honor and I can't wait to represent the Colts out there," Overton said via colts.com.  "It brought me tears of joy and I can't believe it. I'm just ready to soak it all in."

Here is what Overton said on twitter this morning:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>It&#39;s an amazing honor to be selected to play in this years Pro Bowl &amp; proud to represent the Colts! Thank you all for your support!</p>&mdash; Matt Overton (@MattOverton_LS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattOverton_LS/statuses/423505821327044608">January 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Here is what a few of his teammates said on twitter:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/MattOverton_LS">@MattOverton_LS</a> Congrats bro on going to the ProBowl! Well deserved!</p>&mdash; Dwayne Allen (@Dallen83) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dallen83/statuses/423448715186040832">January 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Very happy for and proud of <a href="https://twitter.com/MattOverton_LS">@MattOverton_LS</a>... Have fun in Hawaii Pro Bowler</p>&mdash; Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/PatMcAfeeShow/statuses/423478490168455169">January 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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A big congrats to Colts long snapper Matt Overton, who will be representing the horseshoe in Hawaii along with Robert Mathis, Chuck Pagano and the rest of the Colts staff.