Baltimore Ravens

Ravens' Koch, Yanda selected to Pro Bowl

Published Dec. 23, 2015 1:08 a.m. ET

foxsports

Baltimore Ravens punter Sam Koch is finally going to the Pro Bowl in his 10th season.

Koch, who is leading the league in net punting average for the second straight year, expressed his excitement to the team's official website upon hearing he news Tuesday night. If Koch was giving an acceptance speech at the Oscars, he'd probably be played off the stage.

"This has definitely been a long time in the making. This is a very surreal and exciting moment for my family and me. I can’t wait to represent the Ravens in Hawaii.

"A lot of hard work and practice have gone into this. I’m grateful for the support I’ve received from family in Baltimore – my wife, Nikki, and kids, Ryan, Braxtyn, Kamdyn and Gianna – and our family in Nebraska. I want to thank my coaches – John Harbaugh, Jerry Rosburg and Randy Brown – for all they have done by believing in and helping me. There is also the support from our great fans, because without their votes, this dream probably wouldn’t have come true."

Right guard Marshal Yanda is already used to making the trip to Hawaii. He'll make his fifth straight appearance, joining Ray Lewis, Jonathan Ogden, Ed Reed, Haloti Ngata and Terrell Suggs as the only Ravens with five career Pro Bowl selections. Yanda was effusive in his praise for his teammates amid a very trying season for the 4-10 Ravens.

"Football is the ultimate team sport, and you don’t do anything in this league on your own. I want to thank the coaches and my teammates for helping me along the way. We all grind together with the goal of achieving greatness."

Linebacker C.J. Mosley and fullback Kyle Juszczyk were designated as first alternates. Many Ravens fans were expecting nose tackle Brandon Williams to make the team, but he was snubbed altogether.

The Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, Jan. 31 in Honolulu, Hawaii, a week before the Super Bowl.