Falcons tight end Austin Hooper, who’s having his best season in the NFL, was named an alternate to the Pro Bowl this week.
Hooper has caught 64 passes for 557 yards and four touchdown, all career-highs, in his third season.
“It was great considering all of the hard work that I was putting in over the offseason,” Hooper told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “So, it’s just gratifying to know that if you make sacrifices and put in the work that it would come.”
Hooper, who played at Stanford, is slotted behind Eagles tight end Zach Ertz, who also played the school.
“The Stanford tight end thing is real, absolutely,” Hooper said.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn broke the news to the team.
“It was in the team meeting (one Wednesday),” Hooper said. “We just pulled it up on the slide and just saw the two Pro Bowl guys (Julio Jones and Alex Mack). Then I saw a Matt (Ryan), Justin Bethel and myself underneath as alternates, so it’s a cool honor, a cool privilege.”
Hooper, who spent more than 200 hours working with Ryan over the offseason, is on pace to catch 73 passes.
“My goal, first and foremost, is to finish out the season strong,” Hooper said. “Help the team win in any way shape or form that I can. My mindset is here, but it’s great to get the recognition for all of the sacrifice and work that I put in over this offseason.”
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