Brady, Gronk lead list of 7 Pats Pro Bowlers

FOXBORO -- Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski lead a list of seven Patriots selected to the 2013 Pro Bowl, announced Wednesday night by the NFL.

“It is flattering to be selected, but I have always considered Pro Bowl recognition as a reflection of the team’s overall success," Brady said. "I am happy for my many teammates who were selected again this year. I know that there are many others who are equally deserving of the opportunity. One day, I am sure I will have a greater appreciation for individual accomplishments, but this week my focus is simply on our preparations for Miami.”

Also selected were starting left guard Logan Mankins, inside linebacker Jerod Mayo, special teams captain Matthew Slater, wide receiver Wes Welker and nose tackle Vince Wilfork. Gronkowski, Mankins, Mayo and Wilfork were selected as starters.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by my peers, the coaches and the fans, but it’s more of an honor to be one of seven of my teammates going to Hawaii, since that is a reflection of our overall team success," Mayo said. "We’ll all enjoy the recognition tonight with our families and be right back to focusing on the Dolphins in the morning.”

The Pro Bowl will be played on Jan. 27, 2013 at Aloha Stadium in Hawaii, and the Patriots are hoping that - as was the case last year - they won't be playing in the game because the Super Bowl is one week later in New Orleans.

It is the eighth Pro Bowl selection for Brady (2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012) and fifth for Mankins (2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012), Welker (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012) and Wilfork (2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012).

Gronkowski and Slater earned their second straight Pro Bowl invitations, while Mayo (2010 and 2012) also earned a Pro Bowl berth for the second time.

Brady was named to the Pro Bowl for the eighth time, including four straight seasons. John Hannah (9) is the only Patriots player with more Pro Bowls than Brady. Brady enters the final week of the season with 4,543 yards passing and 32 touchdowns. Brady became just the fifth player in NFL history to reach 4,000 yards in five or more seasons and the fifth player with at least 30 or more touchdown passes in four seasons.

For much more on the Patriots Pro Bowl selections, visit the Patriots team page at weei.com/patriots [1] and the blog It Is What It Is [2].