Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons tight end Austin Hooper picked for first Pro Bowl

Falcons tight end Austin Hooper pulls in a reception against the Baltimore Ravens Dec. 2, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Credit: Kevin C. Cox

Credit: Kevin C. Cox

Falcons tight end Austin Hooper pulls in a reception against the Baltimore Ravens Dec. 2, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
By
Jan 16, 2019

Falcons tight end Austin Hooper, who’s in his third season in the NFL, was picked to replace Eagles tight end Zach Ertz in the Pro Bowl on Tuesday.

Hooper, who had a breakthrough season, was the first alternate at the position. The Pro Bowl is set for Sunday, Jan. 27 at CampingWorld Stadium in Orlando.

Hooper caught 71 passes for 660 yards and four touchdowns, all career-highs, last season.

“It was great considering all of the hard work that I was putting in over the offseason,” Hooper told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution after being named the first alternate. “So, it’s just gratifying to know that if you make sacrifices and put in the work that it would come.”

Hooper and Ertz both played at Stanford.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro reacts after a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Falcons defense took oath to focus on ‘getting population’ to the football

Falcons defense dominated the Bills with a swarming style they call “getting population” — and they’ll need it again Sunday vs. the 49ers.

Dirty Birds Dispatch: The NFL’s top-ranked defense

Through Week 6, the Falcons’ defense is ranked No. 1 in yards allowed (253.4 per game) and passing yards allowed (139.4).

Next up for the Falcons: the injury-riddled 49ers

The Falcons face the injury-riddled 49ers Sunday night in Santa Clara — with key players like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner sidelined.

The Latest

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro reacts after a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Falcons defense took oath to focus on ‘getting population’ to the football

Dirty Birds Dispatch: The NFL’s top-ranked defense

Falcons’ estimated injury report: Matthews would not have practiced

Featured

Corbin Spencer, right, field director of New Georgia Project and volunteer Rodney King, left, help Rueke Uyunwa register to vote. The influential group is shutting down after more than a decade. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2017)

Credit: Hyosub Shin

EXCLUSIVE

New Georgia Project shuts down, ending a decade of political influence in state

Founded in 2013, the organization was credited with registering tens of thousands of left-leaning voters who helped turn Georgia into a political battleground.

In TV ad blitz, ICE makes a play for Atlanta police officers

ICE spent more money on its recruitment campaign in Atlanta this month than in any other city.

Street vendors fear being sidelined by Atlanta’s World Cup permit freeze

Permits for street vendors and community gatherings are on pause downtown during FIFA activities under Mayor Dickens’ executive order issued last month.