Every Colorado football player to earn NFL Pro Bowl honors

In light of Shedeur Sanders being added to the AFC Pro Bowl roster yesterday as a replacement quarterback, we decided to take a look at the other Colorado Buffaloes who have earned NFL Pro Bowl honors, either as original selections or alternates. Sanders becomes just the second quarterback in program history to make a Pro Bowl, joining Kordell Stewart, who was selected in 2001. He is also only the fourth Colorado player to be named to the Pro Bowl since 2010, alongside LT David Bakhtiari, RB Phillip Lindsay, and OL Andre Gurode.

In total, 19 Colorado Buffaloes have gone on to become NFL Pro Bowlers.

Table of Contents

CB Tom Brookshier, Philadelphia Eagles (1959, 1960)

Pro Bowl Season Stats: 12 games played, three interceptions for 13 return yards, 3 fumbles recovered (1959); 12 games played, one interception for 14 return yards (1960).

Brookshier was a standout three-year letterman at the University of Colorado, excelling as a defensive back, fullback, and return specialist. He finished his career with six interceptions and led the nation in punt returns in 1951, averaging 12.0 yards per return.

S Eddie Dove, San Francisco (1961)

Pro Bowl Season Stats: 14 games played, three interceptions for 41 return yards.

Dove was an exceptional running back and defensive back for the University of Colorado from 1956 to 1958. A key contributor in the single-wing offense, he rushed for more than 1,200 yards over his final two seasons and was selected in the third round of the 1959 NFL Draft.

John Wooten, friend of Jim Brown and former Cleveland Browns player, speaks at a celebration of life for Jim Brown held at McKinley High School Thursday, August, 3, 2023.

Pro Bowl Season Stats: Was one of the top guards in the NFL and helped Cleveland running backs Jim Brown and Leroy Kelly have historic seasons.

Wooten became just the fifth player in Colorado history to earn All-America honors and the first lineman to do so when he was recognized in 1958. A three-year letterman at guard from 1956 to 1958, he was named an All-American by the AFCA in his senior season, following a first-team All-Big Seven selection as a junior the year before.

WR Boyd Dowler, Green Bay Packers (1965, 1967)

Green Bay Packers quarterback John Roach threw a long pass intended for end Boyd Dowler (86), but the Bears had him covered with defensive backs Benny McRae and Richie Petitbon (17) during the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers game at Wrigley Field on November 17, 1963. The Packers lost 26-7 in front of a packed house of 49,166. Bart Starr was out injured so John Roach started and went 8 for 20 with 2 interceptions. Zeke Bratkowski replaced him in the third quarter and went 3 for 11 with three interceptions.

Pro Bowl Season Stats: 14 games played, 44 receptions, 610 receiving yards, four touchdowns (1965); 14 games played, 54 receptions, 836 receiving yards, four touchdowns (1967).

Although listed as a quarterback, Dowler was a versatile “triple-threat” in Dal Ward’s single-wing offense. He caught 41 passes for 628 yards and six touchdowns, threw for 769 yards and seven scores, and averaged 43.6 yards per punt. On defense, he intercepted 10 passes, the second-most in school history at the time. A three-time All-Big Seven selection and honorable mention All-American in 1958, Dowler was later inducted into both the CU Athletic Hall of Fame and the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.

S Dick Anderson, Miami Dolphins (1972, 1973, 1974)

Jan 14, 1972; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Miami Dolphins safety (40) Dick Anderson in action against the Washington Redskins during Super Bowl VII at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The Dolphins completed a perfect season to win their first Super Bowl title 14-7 over the Redskins. Mandatory Credit: David Boss-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © David Boss

Pro Bowl Season Stats: Three interceptions for 34 return yards, led the NFL with 5 fumble recoveries and scored one defensive touchdown (1972); Anderson had his peak year in 1973, leading the NFL with 8 interceptions for 163 yards and adding two pick-six touchdowns. In 1974, his numbers dipped, but he still earned Pro Bowl recognition, finishing with one interception for 14 yards.

Anderson earned consensus All-American honors in 1967 and was known for his versatility on the field. He finished his college career with 14 interceptions and 266 tackles, setting school records at the time. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993.

WR Cliff Branch, Oakland Raiders (1974, 1975, 1976, 1977)

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Cliff Branch holds the ball during Super Bowl XV against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Superdome.

Pro Bowl Season Stats: 14 games played, 51 catches, 983 receiving yards, nine touchdowns (1975); 14 games played, 46 catches, 1,111 receiving yards, 12 touchdowns (1976); 13 games played, 33 catches, 540 receiving yards, six touchdowns (1977); 16 games played, 49 catches, 709 receiving yards, one touchdown (1978).

In 22 games at Colorado, Branch caught 36 passes for 665 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing 31 times for 354 yards and five scores, averaging 11.4 yards per carry. Renowned for his blazing speed, he recorded 11 plays of 59 yards or longer during his time in Boulder.

CB Rod Perry, Los Angeles Rams (1978, 1980)

Pro Bowl Season Stats: Played in 16 games and had eight interceptions and three touchdowns (1978). In 1989, he played 16 games, recording five interceptions and a touchdown.

Perry earned All-Big Eight Conference honors and was named an honorable mention All-American in 1974. Known for his speed, he was a key contributor on defense for the Buffaloes before being selected in the 1975 NFL Draft.

NT Charlie Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles (1979, 1980, 1981)

Pro Bowl Season Stats: Tackles were not officially recorded, but Johnson was a force and anchored the Eagles’ defensive line during this three-year Pro Bowl stint.

In 1976, the Associated Press (AP) selected Johnson to the first-team All-Big Eight, and he was an honorable mention All-American. He received Colorado’s Dave Jones award as the team’s most valuable defensive lineman.

CB Mark Haynes, New York Giants (1982, 1983, 1984)

3 Dec 1989: Defensive back Mark Haynes of the Denver Broncos attempts to avoid a pair of Los Angeles Raiders players during a game at the Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders won the game, 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Ken Levine /Allsport

Pro Bowl Season Stats: Nine games, one interception (shortened 1982 season); 15 games, three interceptions (1983); 15 games, seven interceptions, two fumble recoveries

At the time of his graduation, Haynes’ 256 career tackles ranked second all-time for a defensive back at Colorado, and his 17 pass deflections were tied for seventh. Known for his speed, running a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, he made a lasting impact on the field and was later named a first-team member of CU’s All-Century team in 1989.

DE Alfred Williams, Denver Broncos (1996)

Sep 1, 1991; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Alfred Williams (94) and Denver Broncos running back Bob Perryman (22) in action at Mile High Stadium. FILE PHOTO; Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Pro Bowl Season Stats: 56 total tackles, 13 sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery

Williams won the 1990 Butkus Award and led the Buffs to a national championship. A two-time Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year, he finished as CU’s all-time leader in sacks (35) and tackles for loss (59), later earning College Football Hall of Fame honors.

NT Joel Steed, Pittsburgh Steelers (1997)

Pro Bowl Season Stats: 16 games, 48 total tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery

He was second-team All-Conference as a sophomore, first-team all-Big Eight as a junior, and a second-team All-American selection as a senior. Steed ranks tied for 22nd on CU’s all-time sacks list and 19th in tackles for a loss.

OLB Chad Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers (1996), Seattle Seahawks (1998, 1999)

Pro Bowl Season Stats: 81 tackles, 13.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions (1996); 149 tackles, 7.5 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery (1998); 116 tackles, 5.5 sacks, six passes defended, two forced fumbles (1999)

He ended his career as Colorado’s fourth all-time leading tackler with 369 stops, ranked third all-time in solo tackles with 242, and fourth in tackles for loss with 38. He played inside linebacker as a freshman and sophomore before moving to the outside, where he recorded 14 quarterback sacks over the next two seasons.

QB Kordell Stewart, Pittsburgh Steelers (2001)

Pittsburgh quarterback Kordell Stewart celebrates after teammate Tommy Maddox scored a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter on 23 December, 2001 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh defeated Detroit 47-14. AFP Photo/David MAXWELL (Photo by DAVID MAXWELL / AFP) (Photo by DAVID MAXWELL/AFP via Getty Images)

Pro Bowl Season Stats: 60.2 percent completion rate, 3,109 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, 11 interceptions; 96 carries, 537 yards, five touchdowns

Stewart finished his career as Colorado’s leader in both total offense and passing yards with 6,481, and through 2017, he still ranked second and fourth in those categories. His 27-5-1 record as a starter, an 83.3 winning percentage, remains the best in CU history for any quarterback. He was named first-team All-Big Eight as a senior in 1994 and received the Zack Jordan Award as the Buffs’ most valuable player, leading Colorado to an 11-1 record and a number three national ranking.

SS Michael Lewis, Philadelphia (2004)

Pro Bowl Season Stats: Started 16 games, recorded 90 tackles, one interception, 12 passes defended and two forced fumbles

At Colorado, as a senior, he was a unanimous All-Big 12 Conference first-team choice, earned third-team All-America honors, and was a semi-finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s top defensive back. He led the team with 112 tackles and five interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He also holds the school record with 6.5 career sacks for a defensive back.

P Mitch Berger, Minnesota Vikings (1999); New Orleans Saints (2004)

Pittsburgh Steelers’ Jeff Reed kicks a field goal out of the hold from punter Mitch Berger.

Pro Bowl Season Stats: 16 games started, average of 45.3 yards per punt, 66 total punts for 2,987 yards (1999);16 games started, 44.4 yards per punt, 81 total punts for 3,595 yards.

Berger played three seasons at Colorado, where he served as the team’s punter and kicker, contributing to the team before being drafted by the NFL in the sixth round.

C Andre Gurode, Dallas Cowboys (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)

Nov 21, 2009; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys center Andre Gurode (65) readies for a play during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Cowboys 17-7. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Pro Bowl Season Stats: Earned five consecutive Pro Bowl selections (2006-2010) as a center for the Dallas Cowboys. He served as a durable anchor on this offensive line, starting all 16 games in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

At Colorado, Gurode was a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2000 and 2001, and was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American as a senior in 2001. During his career, he allowed just 7.5 sacks in 2,653 plays as a starter for the Buffaloes.

RB Phillip Lindsay, Denver Broncos (2018)

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 22: Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on September 22, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Pro Bowl Season Stats: 15 games, 1,037 rushing yards, nine touchdowns; 35 receptions for 241 yards and one touchdown

Lindsay became Colorado’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards with 5,760 and yards from scrimmage with 4,683, totals that rise to 5,926 and 4,849, including the 2016 Alamo Bowl. He finished as the Buffs’ second all-time leading rusher with 3,707 yards and was the first player in CU history to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, and only the second to do so over any two seasons. With 110 receptions for 976 yards, he also set school records for the most catches and receiving yards by a running back. Lindsay became the 14th player to join CU’s 500/500 Club for rushing and receiving yards, narrowly missing the milestone of 1,000 in both categories.

OT David Bakhtiari, Green Bay Packers (2016, 2019, 2020)

Green Bay Packers’ David Bakhtiari and Aaron Rodgers leave the field following an overtime loss to Arizona. The Arizona Cardinals host the Green Bay Packers during a NFC divisional round playoff football game Saturday, January 16, 2016, at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ.

Pro Bowl Season Stats: Started 16 games, allowing only 4 sacks (2016); Started 16 games, earning his second-team All-Pro honors (2019); Started 12 games, allowing only one sack and one quarterback hit, with a 91.8 Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade before a torn ACL (2020).

A two-time second-team All-Pac 12 selection (2011, 2012) and a 2012 team captain, he was known for his durability and high-grade efficiency, allowing only two-and-a-half sacks in his final season.

QB Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns (2026)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) participates in pregame warmups against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Jan. 4, 2026.

Pro Bowl Season Stats: 8 games started, 1,400 passing yards, 8 total touchdowns, 10 interceptions

Sander finished his 24-start Colorado career 651-of-907 (71.8%) with 7,364 yards, 64 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He broke over 100 school records and finished third in passing yards, fifth in attempts, third in completions, first in passing touchdowns, and tops in QB rating.

With Shedeur Sanders earning his spot as a replacement, the hope is that Colorado can continue to produce more NFL talent and, more importantly, legitimate NFL stars. Entering the 2025 NFL season, 12 former Buffaloes were on active NFL rosters. Those are numbers Deion Sanders is clearly aiming to grow in 2026 and beyond.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Every Colorado football player to make an NFL Pro Bowl

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