The AFC's winning roster at Sunday's Pro Bowl was stocked with NFL stars such as Ben Roethlisberger, Von Miller and Antonio Brown. And Brynden Trawick, too.

Trawick might have had the least name recognition of any of the all-stars gathered in Orlando for the game - at least among fans. But not among NFL players and coaches.

"When we played against the Titans - and (the previous) year when he was with the Raiders - he was the guy I picked out," said Tyreek Hill, a former West Alabama standout who was the AFC's Pro Bowl punt returner for the second straight year. "And coaches told us, 'Hey, this is a guy we need to watch. Make sure he's doubled because he's always around the ball.' Guys around the league know who those guys are on special teams."

The Tennessee Titans knew about Trawick, too. They signed the safety to a two-year, $4.75 million contract in free agency in April and put him on the field for an NFL-high 399 special-teams plays during the 2017 regular season.

In the fan voting for the Pro Bowl, Trawick didn't show up among the top 10 in the AFC's special-teamer balloting. But when Matt Slater, who won the fan vote, had to bow out of the Pro Bowl because the New England Patriots reached the Super Bowl, Trawick took his place on the AFC roster.

The Pro Bowl players are picked by combining the choices of NFL fans, players and coaches. Trawick did so well with the latter two groups that his poor showing with the first didn't prevent him from being the first alternate.

Trawick and the NFC's Budda Baker were the only players at the Pro Bowl because of their prowess on special teams without being a kicker, punter or returner.

"As many guys out that play in the NFL, to be one of two guys chosen for this game is an honor," Trawick said on the field after the AFC posted a 24-23 victory. "I'm blessed, and I'm happy."

But Trawick understands he wouldn't have gotten to the Pro Bowl if the Patriots hadn't gotten to the Super Bowl, which triggered the need for a replacement for Slater.

"I was in as an alternate, so my next goal is to try to be the guy where my name is an actual Pro Bowler," Trawick said.

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Trawick just completed his fifth NFL season after he entered the league as an undrafted rookie from Troy. He played two seasons for the Trojans and led the Sun Belt Conference in tackles in 2011. A native of Marietta, Georgia, Trawick played one season at Michigan State and one season at Northeast Mississippi Community College before joining Troy.