Why the Pro Bowl means so much to first-timers like Justin Herbert, Maxx Crosby and Trevon Diggs

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was in the locker room when safety Derwin James broke the news to him.

Herbert was going to his first Pro Bowl.

«Is it official?» Herbert asked James in late December.

It was not only official. It was historic. Herbert became the first Chargers quarterback to be selected as a Pro Bowl starter since fellow-Oregon alum Dan Fouts in 1983, a span of 38 years.

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«I was always a big Dan Fouts fan, so that's really cool to hear,» Herbert told reporters. «We'll text from time to time. Just a great guy, and I got to learn a bunch from him.»

Herbert is among the 48 first-time selections to this year's Pro Bowl, which is the third-most in a single season, according to Elias. The game will be held Sunday in Las Vegas (3 p.m. ET, ESPN). The players were selected by a combination of fans, players and coaches.

Quickly ascending to one of the top passers in the league, Herbert set an NFL record for the most touchdown passes in his first two seasons in the NFL with 69. He also became the ninth quarterback to throw for 5,000 yards in a season.

The No. 6 overall pick in the 2020 draft, Herbert said he never thought about beating out some of the top quarterbacks in the league to become the AFC's Pro Bowl starter.

«My priorities at that time was wherever I go to understand the offense, to learn that and get timing with the receivers, and whatever happens happens after that,» Herbert said. «All I could control was my effort and my attitude and good things will happen if you put in the work. It's kind of funny how things have worked out the past couple of years, but I