It’s a First: Three Backs Better Than Emmitt Smith

That nine Dallas Cowboys made the Pro Bowl is hardly a surprise. But who was left out is.

Four Cowboys will start, including cornerback Deion Sanders, but Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin and Leon Lett won’t be headed to Honolulu for the Feb. 2 game.

The biggest stunner is not seeing Smith on the NFC roster for the first time in his seven-year career. Smith was beaten out by starters Barry Sanders of Detroit, Terry Allen of Washington and reserve Ricky Watters of Philadelphia.

“I’m just not one of the best backs this year, I guess,” Smith said. “I’m not that surprised. I kind of expected it. That’s the way it goes. I’m glad some of my linemen did make it. For me, it means I’ve got to work a lot harder in the off-season.”

The Carolina Panthers, in the playoffs in their second year of existence, landed seven players on the NFC squad, including all three starting linebackers: Kevin Greene, Sam Mills and Lamar Lathon.

Jerry Rice and Reggie White both were selected for a record-tying 11th time. White, the star defensive end of the Green Bay Packers, and Rice, the San Francisco 49ers’ wide receiver, tied the record of 11 Pro Bowls set by tackle Anthony Munoz.

“All of them are special,” White said. “As I’ve told them and I will tell everybody else, I want a ring. And that will be more special to me than anything.”

The Denver Broncos led the AFC with seven players, including quarterback John Elway, tight end Shannon Sharpe, tackle Gary Zimmerman and running back Terrell Davis as offensive starters.