FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Chris Lindstrom plays a position where excellence isn't statistically defined. Guard play is often overlooked by the casual fan, especially on teams that aren't sitting atop the standings.
Lindstrom has earned the respect of those in his field, players and coaches alike. That became clear on Wednesday evening, when he was named to his first Pro Bowl.
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The league announced the NFC and AFC rosters on Wednesday night.
The honor was well deserved for a player who has had a darn-near-perfect season on the interior line.
While Pro Football Focus grades aren't the be-all, end-all when it comes to player evaluation, Lindstrom is the highest graded guard in the NFL by a country mile. He has proven to be an elite run blocker, working with right tackle Kaleb McGary and center Drew Dalman. He has allowed just nine quarterback pressures all year, just one back of the NFL high. He also ranks fourth in pass-blocking efficiency.
The game tape will show that he's a dominant force who moves and controls the line of scrimmage. The No. 14 overall NFL Draft pick, out of Boston College, has started 52 games over his first four seasons with the Falcons. The team exercised his fifth-year option, though it's expected that he'll remain in a Atlanta for a longer term.
As a note, Pro Bowl honors are awarded based on votes from players, coaches and fans. The Pro Bowl Games will operate in a new format over previous seasons. There's no tackle football game played at the end of the week, with a flag football game on Feb. 5 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. There will also be skills competitions highlighting these players throughout a weeklong all-star celebration.
In addition to being a hard worker devoted to his craft, Lindstrom as been as active as anyone in the community. He was named as the Falcons' Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee. He has worked tirelessly to set up a Georgia chapter of Best Buddies, an organization focused on assisting those with developmental disabilities. He was also supportive of local educators, providing a shopping spree before the school year started, among several other charitable endeavors supporting everything from children's hospitals to local parks.
Lindstrom will received as much as $40,000 in their name to a charity of their choosing. The winner of the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award will get a $250,000 donation to his preferred charity.
Fans can help Lindstrom through the Charity Challenge by using the hashtag #WPMOYChallenge followed by Lindstrom or @C_Lindstrom63. The player with the most mentions can earn $25,000 for his charity, with funds also going to the second- and third-place finishers.
The Atlanta Falcons have named Chris Lindstrom as their nominee for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Take a look at some of the work Chris has recently done around the community.
Scenes from the Falcons Feast at The Home Depot Backyard at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. (Photo by Karl L. Moore/Atlanta Falcons)
Scenes from the Falcons Feast at The Home Depot Backyard at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. (Photo by Karl L. Moore/Atlanta Falcons)
Scenes from the Falcons Feast at The Home Depot Backyard at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. (Photo by Karl L. Moore/Atlanta Falcons)
Scenes from the Hometown Huddle at Maddox Park in Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday October 26, 2021. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 during a base visit to Joint Base Lewis McChord Base in McChord AFB, WA, on Tuesday, September 20, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 and outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 pose for a jersey presentation during a base visit to Joint Base Lewis McChord Base in McChord AFB, WA, on Tuesday, September 20, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 during a base visit to Joint Base Lewis McChord Base in McChord AFB, WA, on Tuesday, September 20, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Scenes from the Season Kickoff Party presented by Orangetheory Fitness at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta - Egleston in Atlanta, GA on Tuesday, September 6, 2022. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
XXXXX during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday, August 9, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Local Law Enforcement were in attendance during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Monday, August 10, 2022. (Photo by Mitch Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 signs autographs after AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Saturday, July 30, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Scenes from the Falcons Hometown Huddle at Atlanta Community Food Bank in Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday October 1, 2019. (Photo by Jacob Gonzalez/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive guard Chris Lindstrom #63 looks on during warm-ups before the game against the Carolina Panthers on October 29, 2020. (Photo by Cato Cataldo/Atlanta Falcons)
Scenes from the Falcons Feast at MBS (Blue Lot) in Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday November 23, 2021. (Photo by Karl L. Moore/Atlanta Falcons)
Scenes from the Falcons Feast at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday November 19, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Falcons CR hosts the Pros vs. Joes ping pong tournament during Salute to Service week at {location} in {city}, {state}, on {iptcdow} {iptcmonthname} {iptcday}, {iptcyear4}. (Photo by {credit}).
Falcons CR hosts the Pros vs. Joes ping pong tournament during Salute to Service week at {location} in {city}, {state}, on {iptcdow} {iptcmonthname} {iptcday}, {iptcyear4}. (Photo by {credit}).
Scenes from the Falcons Feast at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday November 19, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Scenes from the Falcons Hometown Huddle at Atlanta Community Food Bank in Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday October 1, 2019. (Photo by Jacob Gonzalez/Atlanta Falcons)
Scenes from the Halloween Hospital Visit at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta - Egleston in Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday October 21, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
Scenes from the Falcons Hometown Huddle at Atlanta Community Food Bank in Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday October 1, 2019. (Photo by Jacob Gonzalez/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 finds out he has won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for 2022 at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 finds out he has won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for 2022 at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 finds out he has won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for 2022 at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 finds out he has won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for 2022 at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
