The National Football League today announced that Jaguars defensive tackle John Henderson, who was chosen to the AFC Pro Bowl squad as a first alternate, will make his first appearance in the NFL all-star game on Sunday, February 13 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. He replaces New England defensive tackle Richard Seymour, who will miss the game due to injury (knee).
During the 2004 campaign, Henderson finished the season ranked fourth on the team with 98 tackles (78 solo). He was also the teams' co-leader with 5.5 sacks and 39 quarterback pressures. Henderson started all 16 games for the second consecutive season.
"Having Marcus and me in the game is exciting and it feels great," Henderson said. "I'm ready to go over there and represent Jacksonville well, and play with the best players in the league. I'm really still in shock right now, but I'm ready to go. Just to be able to go and play in this game is a gift and a blessing and I'm looking forward to it."
The addition of Henderson along with fellow defensive tackle Marcus Stroud means Jacksonville will have two players play in Hawaii, the most since 1999 when the team had six representatives play in the game. Henderson becomes the 14th Pro Bowler in Jaguars history, the sixth defensive player and the fourth defensive lineman.
