Jan. 08--New York Giants rookie receiver Odell Beckham Jr. made such an impact on the NFL in just 12 games, he's been rewarded with a chance to play one more time -- in the Pro Bowl as a replacement for injured Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson.
"The goal [entering the season] is to be either in the Pro Bowl or the Super Bowl," Beckham said in a statement on the Giants website. "[We] didn't end up making it to the Super Bowl, but I did get the invite to the Pro Bowl, so I am very excited and blessed for the opportunity."
Beckham, selected with the No. 12 overall pick out of LSU, grabbed national attention with his one-handed, back-bending snag of an Eli Manning pass in a Week 7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, 31-21.
He then went on to set Giants rookie records with 91 catches for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns -- with seven of his scores coming in the last four games -- after missing the first four games of the season. Beckham, 22, is the first Giants rookie receiver to play in the Pro Bowl.
The Giants (6-10) finished third in the NFC East and have not reached the playoffs since 2011, when they went on to beat the New England Patriots, 21-17, in the Super Bowl.
Johnson, who had been selected to play in his fifth Pro Bowl, had 71 catches for 1,077 with eight touchdowns this season.
The Pro Bowl is set for Jan. 25 at University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
