Browns Pro Bowler Joel Bitonio makes his case to play tight end
By Randy Gurzi
The Pro Bowl is still a thing (shocking, I know) but it’s taking itself less seriously now. And that’s led to Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio showing off his hands
After years of outcry from players and fans, the NFL has made some tweaks to the Pro Bowl. The annual all-star game was always called boring, so they switched things up and have now put on a skills competition and will feature a flag football game as well.
As for the skills part, Cleveland Browns left guard Joel Bitonio was showing off. The big man is known for being a bully on the field but he showed off some surprising hands on Thursday.
Bitonio was catching passes from the Jugs machine and held his own in the water balloon challenge where he was surprisingly gentle with the catches for such a large human. From there, he started fielding punts — one-handed.
let's goooooooo!! 🔥 @JoelBitonio#ProBowlGames on ESPN pic.twitter.com/WVs4qb6U44
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) February 3, 2023
The best part about the video is seeing how much fun Bitonio is having out there. He’s always been a fan favorite, so seeing him get to actually enjoy being a Pro Bowler (this was his fifth selection in a row) has been a welcome sight.
It’s also hard to watch this video and not wonder if they need to line him up at tight end. Clearly, he can catch the ball and who is going to try and tackle the 315-pounder one-on-one?
Do the Browns have any other Pro Bowlers?
While Bitonio is stealing the show, he’s just one of five Browns who made the AFC squad. He’s joined by fellow guard Wyatt Teller as well as Nick Chubb, the man who runs behind the massive holes they create.
That’s it for the offense but they do have Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward as defensive Pro Bowlers. That has them tied with the Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the third most selections, behind the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers who have six.
When is the actual Pro Bowl?
While it won’t be a traditional game, the Pro Bowl will have its flag football game on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 12:00. It will be televised on ESPN.
