Australian punting sensation Michael Dickson has made NFL history by becoming the first rookie punter in more than three decades to be selected to play in the Pro Bowl.
It is the latest achievement from the 22-year-old who turned his back on a potential career with the Sydney Swans in the AFL to try American football and has become a star with the Seattle Seahawks.
Dickson beat some of the NFL's great punters, including the Los Angeles Rams' four-time Pro Bowler Johnny Hekker and Arizona Cardinals' three-time selection Andy Lee, to represent the NFC conference in the January 27 game in Orlando that brings together the best players in the NFL.
Dickson is first rookie Pro Bowl punter selected since the Rams' Dale Hatcher in 1985.
Australian punting trailblazer Darren Bennett made the Pro Bowl in 1995 and 2000 and Melbourne's Mat McBriar, while playing for the Dallas Cowboys, was selected in 2006 and 2010.
The NFL announced last week Dickson topped the fan vote for NFC punters.
NFL coaches and players are also obviously impressed by his pinpoint monster punts, rugby-style drop kicks and ability to make game-winning plays running with the ball.
The Pro Bowl teams were determined by fan, player and coach votes, with each group comprising one-third of the vote pool.
Dickson leads the NFL, averaging 48.9 yards a punt, just ahead of fellow Australian and Philadelphia Eagles punter Cameron Johnston who is averaging 48.5 yards.
Tennessee Titans' Brett Kern (48.9 yards) will be the AFC's punter in the Pro Bowl.
Another Australian punter, the Pittsburgh Steelers' Jordan Berry, was sixth in the fan vote but his 44-yard average per punt likely hurt his chances of beating Kern for the AFC Pro Bowl honour.
The Los Angeles Chargers placed a league-best seven players on the Pro Bowl roster, while the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints led the NFC with five players selected each.
Tom Brady (New England Patriots), Philip Rivers (LA Chargers) and Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) will be the AFC's quarterbacks.
Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints), Jared Goff (Los Angeles Rams) and Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) are the NFC's quarterbacks.
Pro Bowl participants have some incentive to win the game.
Players on the winning team will receive $US67,000 ($A93,000), while each player on the losing squad earns $US34,000 ($A47,000).
