EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants will be represented in the Pro Bowl after all.
The NFL today announced that rookie wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will play in the Pro Bowl on Jan. 25. Originally a first alternate, Beckham is replacing Detroit wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who is unable to play due to injury.
"It is definitely awesome," Beckham said. "It is something that means a lot to me, and I am definitely going to cherish the moment. I'm very excited to be going to the Pro Bowl.
"The goal (entering the season) is to be either in the Pro Bowl or the Super Bowl. That is every year. That is something you want to be able to build on and put that on your resume. (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 will be the first Giants rookie to play in the Pro Bowl since tight end Jeremy Shockey in 2002. He will be the team's first wide receiver in the game since Victor Cruz in 2012. Beckham is the first Giants rookie wide receiver ever selected to the Pro Bowl.
Te 12th overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Louisiana State, Beckham is one of the five finalists for the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year Award. Beckham had a sensational rookie season, despite playing in only 12 games (he missed the first four games with a hamstring injury).
He set team rookie marks with 91 catches for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns. Beckham finished the season with four consecutive games with at least 130 receiving yards and a touchdown, seven games with over 100 receiving yards total and nine straight games with 90 or more receiving yards (tying Michael Irvin's NFL record, set in 1995).
Beckham surpassed Billy Howton (1,231 with Green Bay in 1952) for the most receiving yards in NFL history for a player in his first 12 career games. Beckham's 1,305 yards are the third-highest total in Giants history, trailing only Victor Cruz's 1,536 yards in 2011 and Amani Toomer's 1,343 yards in 2002. Beckham was nominated for Pepsi Rookie of the Week seven times, winning the award four times.
The Pro Bowl will be played in University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., one week before Super Bowl XLIX is held there. For the second year in a row, the players will not be divided by conference for the Pro Bowl. Hall of Famers Cris Carter and Michael Irvin will serve as captains of the teams and will draft players on Jan. 20-21.
The game itself is usually one in which a lot of yards are gained and points are scored.
Giants.com takes a look at Giants in the Pro Bowl through the years.
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) and his teammates pose in the end zone before the 2017 NFL Pro Bowl football game Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017 in Orlando. The AFC won 20 - 13.
New York Giants Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton (10) of the East rolls out to pass as Baltimore Colts defensive tackle Fred Miller (76) of the West applies pressure during the 1968 NFL Pro Bowl in Los Angeles, Calif., Jan. 21, 1968.
Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame linebacker Dave Robinson (89) and Detroit Lions Hall of Fame cornerback Lem Barney (20) pursue New York Giants running back Ernie Koy (24) of the East during the 1968 NFL Pro Bowl in Los Angeles, Calif., Jan. 21, 1968.
New York Giants quarterback Norm Snead (16) of the NFC throws a pass during the 1973 NFL Pro Bowl in Irving, Texas, Jan. 21, 1973. The AFC defeated the NFC 33-28 at Texas Stadium.
New York Giants running back Ron Johnson (30) of the NFC runs away from Houston Oilers defensive end Elvin Bethea (65) of the AFC during the 1973 NFL Pro Bowl in Irving, Texas, Jan. 21, 1973. The AFC defeated the NFC 33-28 at Texas Stadium.
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) takes a defensive stance during the NFL Pro Bowl football game between the AFC and the NFC in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 29, 1984. The NFC won the game 45-3.
NFC defensive back Mark Haynes (36) of the New York Giants runs with the football after intercepting a pass during the NFC's 45-3 victory over the AFC in the 1984 NFL Pro Bowl played on January 29, 1984 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo)
NFC linebacker Brad Van Pelt (10) of the New York Giants in action during the NFC's 21-7 victory over the AFC in the 1981 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 1, 1981 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
New York Giants Hall of Fame linebacker Harry Carson (53) at the NFL Pro Bowl, a 16-13 AFC victory on January 31, 1982, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
NFC quarterback Joe Theismann (7) of the Washington Redskins congratulates Giants place kicker Ali Haji-Sheikh (6) after kicking a 23-yard field goal during the NFC's 45-3 victory over the AFC in the 1984 NFL Pro Bowl played on January 29, 1984 at Aloha S
New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms (11) drops back to pass while the Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton (34) gets set to block him during Pro Bowl Games in Hawaii in 1986.
NFC running back Joe Morris of the New York Giants carries the football during the NFC's 28-24 victory over the AFC in the 1986 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 2, 1986 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
NFC New York Giants nose tackle Jim Burt (64) looks on during the 1987 NFL Pro Bowl football game between the AFC and the NFC on February 1, 1987 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The AFC won the game 10-6. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (Hall of Fame Class of 2004) has his pass batted down by Giants defensive tackle Leonard Marshall (70) during the AFC's 10-6 victory over the NFC in the 1987 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 1, 1987 at Aloha Stadium.
New York Giants Hall of Fame linebacker Harry Carson signs autographs for fans at the NFL Pro Bowl, a 15-6 AFC victory on February 7, 1988, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
NFC linebacker Carl Banks of the New York Giants during the NFC's 15-6 loss to the AFC in the 1988 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 7, 1988 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
New York Giants safety Terry Kinard (43) picks off a pass during the NFL Pro Bowl, a 34-3 NFC victory on January 29, 1989, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
New York Giants Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor (57) at the NFL Pro Bowl, a 27-21 NFC victory on February 4, 1990, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
NFC center Bart Oates of the New York Giants signs autographs for fans before the NFC's 23-21 loss to the AFC in the 1991 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 3, 1991 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
NFC punter Sean Landeta (5) of the New York Giants kicks the football away during the NFC's 23-21 loss to the AFC in the 1991 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 3, 1991 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
NFC tackle William Roberts of the New York Giants during the NFC's 23-21 loss to the AFC in the 1991 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 3, 1991 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
NFC cornerback Reyna Thompson (22) of the New York Giants and safety Mark Carrier (24) of the Chicago Bears line up opposite AFC punt team gunner Steve Tasker (89) of the Buffalo Bills during the NFC's 23-21 loss to the AFC in the 1991 NFL Pro Bowl.
NFC center Bart Oates (65) of the New York Giants sets to snap the football during the NFC's 21-15 victory over the AFC in the 1992 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 2, 1992 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Giants running back Rodney Hampton on Pro Bowl Media Day before the AFC's 23-20 overtime victory over the NFC in the 1993 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 7, 1993 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
NFC running back Rodney Hampton (27) of the New York Giants carries the football during the NFC's 17-3 victory over the AFC in the 1994 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 6, 1994 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan at photo day for the NFL Pro Bowl on January 31, 1998, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
NFC defensive end Michael Strahan (92) of the New York Giants in action during the AFC's 29-24 victory over the NFC in the 1998 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 1, 1998 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
AFC head coach Bill Belichick (facing camera) and NFC New York Giants running back Tiki Barber, who is retiring from pro football, embrace on the field following the Pro Bowl football game at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007.
Antonio Pierce #58 and Tiki Barber #21 of the New York Giants during pregame introductions as the AFC and NFC All-Stars compete in the 2007 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on February 10, 2007 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The AFC defeated the NFC 31-28. (AP Photo)
New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora (72), of the NFC team, is introduced as the lone Super Bowl champion Giants player before the Pro Bowl football game in Honolulu, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008.
New York Giants football players from left to right, Zak DeOssie (51), Eli Manning (10), Chris Snee (76), Justin Tuck (91), John Carney (5), Shaun O'Hara (60), and Jeff Feagles (18) pose for photos with hula dancers before an NFC practice.
NFC All-Stars Tiki Barber #21, Osi Umenyiora #72, David Tyree #85, and Michael Strahan #92 pose for a team photo
New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith (12) celebrates a touchdown catch with tackle David Diehl (66) during first quarter of the NFL football Pro Bowl Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, in Miami. (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter)
New York Giants tackle David Diehl (66) talks to center Shaun O'Hara (60) during the NFL football Pro Bowl Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, in Miami. (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, left, and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, right, pose for photos with their dad Archie Manning, center, before Pro Bowl football practice in Kapolei, Hawaii, Friday Feb. 6, 200
NFC All-Stars quarterback Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws a pass against the AFC All-Stars in the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on February 8, 2009 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The NFC defeated the AFC 30-21. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
NFC All-Stars punter Jeff Feagles #18 of the New York Giants punts the ball to the AFC All-Stars in the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on February 8, 2009 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The NFC defeated the AFC 30-21. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
NFC All-Stars place kicker John Carney #5 of the New York Giants kicks a fourth quarter field goal to give his team a 30-21 lead against the AFC All-Stars in the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on February 8, 2009 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck flashes a Hawaiian "shaka" sign on the field before Pro Bowl NFL football game at Aloha Stadium, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
New York Giants tackle David Diehl (66) points to a first down during the NFL football Pro Bowl Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010, in Miami. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
New York Giants center Shaun O'Hara (60) of the National Football Conference NFC All-Stars during the 2010 NFL Pro Bowl, January 31, 2010 in Miami, Florida. The AFC won the game 41-34. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New York Giants guard Chris Snee (76) of the NFC plays in the NFL Pro Bowl Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011 in Honolulu.
New York Giants long snapper Zak DeOssie (51) comes out on the field prior to the NFL AFC/NFC 2011 Pro Bowl on Sunday January 30, 2011 in Honolulu, HI. The NFC won the game 55-41. (AP Photo/ Jim Mahoney)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, left,, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, center, and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) share a laugh before the NFC team photo at the NFL Football Pro Bowl in Kapolei, Hawaii, Friday, Jan. 25, 2013.
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) of the NFC breaks away from Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Robert Mathis (98) and Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) of the AFC to score a touchdown in the second quarter of the NFL football Pro Bowl game in Honolulu, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013.
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) of the NFC celebrates a touchdown reception by doing the salsa during the NFL Pro Bowl all-star football game at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 27, 2013. The NFC defeated the AFC 62-35.
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) of the AFC pulls down New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) of the NFC after Pierre-Paul made an interception during the forth quarter of the NFL Pro Bowl football game in Honolulu, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. The NFC beat the AFC 62-35.
New York Giants offensive lineman Chris Snee (76) of the NFC blocks at the line of scrimmage during the NFL Pro Bowl all-star football game, Sunday, January 27, 2013 in Honolulu. The NFC defeated the AFC 62-35.
New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle (26) of Team Rice before the start of the NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014, in Honolulu.
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) hugs Michael Irvin after being selected by Team Irvin during the Pro Bowl draft at the Arizona Biltmore on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona.
New York Giants' Odell Beckham shakes hands with young spectators before the NFL Football Pro Bowl Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz.
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) of Team Irvin runs the ball as Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib (21) of Team Carter defends during the 2015 NFL Pro Bowl game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday, January 25, 2015 in Glendale, AZ.
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13), of Team Rice, makes a one handed catch following practice on Friday, Jan. 29, 2016, in Kahuku, Hawaii.
New York Giants Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (41) intercepts a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. (13) during the NFL Pro Bowl football game, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Honolulu.
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) looks to pass during the NFL Pro Bowl football game, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Honolulu.
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10), of Team Rice, celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during an NFL Pro Bowl football game against Team Irvin on, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Honolulu.
New York Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (41) of Team Irvin returns an interception during an NFL Pro Bowl Game against Team Rice on January 31, 2016. Team Irvin defeated Team Rice 49-27.
New York Giants safety Landon Collins (21) runs upfield during the NFC football practice for the NFL Pro Bowl, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 at Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
New York Giants Odell Beckham Jr. (13) competes in the Drone Drop event at the 2017 Pro Bowl Skills Challenge on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
AFC fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44), of the Baltimore Ravens, is tackled by NFC linebacker Anthony Barr (55), of the Minnesota Vikings, and defensive back Janoris Jenkins (20), of the New York Giants, after catching a pass during the first half of the NFL Pro Bowl football game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017.
New York Giants strong safety Landon Collins (21) lines up during the NFL Pro Bowl football game Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, in Orlando, Fla.
"Anytime as an offensive player there is a lot of offense on the field, it is definitely going to be a game that you are into," Beckham said. "I'm very blessed for the opportunity and I am looking forward to it."
The other wide receivers currently scheduled to play in the Pro Bowl are Pittsburgh's Antonio Brown, Dallas' Dez Bryant, Cincinnati's A.J. Green, Indianapolis T.Y. Hilton, Green Bay's Jordy Nelson, Atlanta's Julio Jones and Denver's Demaryius Thomas.
It's exciting just being able to learn from them and see them every day," Beckham said. "They are some of the best in the league, and it is definitely going to be an experience that is going to be one to remember."
his is the 18th consecutive season in which the Giants will have at least one player in the Pro Bowl. Last year, safety Antrel Rolle was added to the roster after first being selected as an alternate.
I definitely thought there was a chance I would play (in the game)," Beckham said. "I wish I would have made the team originally and not as an alternate, but that is okay. That is something to work for next year."
