Written by Chris Hutchison

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Nothing makes an honor like playing in the Pro Bowl more special than having to sweat it out.  Fourth on the AFC Pro Bowl ballot, Alex Mack was cleared for Hawaii takeoff by the departure of two guys ahead of him, making him the de facto PB backup.

Maurkice Pouncey - the detestable Steelers Center - will not be able to make it due to a prior engagement at the Super Bowl.  And Nick Mangold - the former Buckeye Center playing for the Jets - was injured in Sunday's Conference Championship Game.

So... enter Alex Mack.

Despite "backing in", Mack is still excited about the honor.

"I jumped up and down and ran around the room a couple times," he told ClevelandBrowns.com. "I texted just about everyone that I knew. I called [my parents] this morning. They were really excited. They were fired up and I know my mom's going to try to get a plane ticket out."

Who wouldn't?  Especially if you live in Ohio and it's January.

Congratulations, Alex.  Keep up the pretty good work.