Some of the very best players from around the NFL are making their way to Orlando, Florida this week for the 2018 Pro Bowl, and the Kansas City Chiefs are well represented.
Quarterback Alex Smith, tailback Kareem Hunt and return man Tyreek Hill all earned the right to play in this year's game after each player stood out amongst the rest at their position. Tight end Travis Kelce was also selected to the game, but elected not to participate due to an injury.
The Pro Bowl combines votes from fans, players and coaches to bring together the best of the best for a week full of events leading up to the game on Sunday.
It marks a second-consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl for Smith and the third time he's been selected to the game in his five years with the Chiefs. Smith amassed the best statistical season of his career in 2017, establishing career-highs in passing yards (4,042) and touchdowns (26) while leading the NFL in passer rating (104.7).
Smith, originally selected as an alternate, replaced Los Angeles Chargers' quarterback Philip Rivers on the roster. He'll represent the AFC along with the Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger and the Oakland Raiders' Derek Carr, who replaced the New England Patriots' Tom Brady.
Hunt is headed to Orlando after a record-shattering rookie campaign.
Kansas City's third-round pick out of the University of Toledo led the NFL in rushing with 1,327 yards on the ground, breaking the franchise record for rushing yards by a rookie in the process. The previous owner of that distinction, the late Joe Delaney, is also the last Chiefs running back to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie, doing so in 1981.
Hunt will join the Steelers' Le'Veon Bell and the Buffalo Bills' LeSean McCoy in the AFC's backfield.
Hill is technically headed to Orlando as a return specialist for a second-straight season, though he was named an alternate as a wide receiver and will have his chance to shine on offense in the contest.
The second-year wide receiver tallied 1,183 yards and seven touchdowns through the air on the season, averaging 15.8 yards per catch.
Kelce, who earned MVP honors in last year's game, won't participate in the action but still put together a Pro-Bowl worthy season. Kelce hauled in 83 catches for 1,038 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns on the year.
The game itself kicks off at 2:00 p.m. CT on Sunday afternoon at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, though the festivities surrounding the event begin on Tuesday and run throughout the week.
Both the AFC and NFC squads will practice from Wednesday through Saturday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex under the direction of the Steelers' and New Orleans Saints' coaching staffs.
Fans that make the trip down to Orlando can register to attend practice by following this link.
Smith and Hunt will participate in the Pro Bowl Skills Showdown, where players from a variety of positions compete in a handful of unique events including dodgeball, a relay challenge and passing drills. The event will air on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN.
The players will also work together to leave an impact away from the field.
A number of community events, including Play60 activations and a national flag football tournament, will take place throughout the week leading up to the game.
We'll be on site covering the action all week long on Chiefs.com, on Snapchat at "officialchiefs" and on Twitter at @KCChiefs_Matt.
