OVC Leads All FCS Conferences With Three Pro Bowl Selections ... And Other NFL Tidbits

The Ohio Valley Conference had 14 players on NFL rosters this season, a mark that was high, but not highest among Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) conferences.

For a league that has not won a playoff game in a decade, there is a perception that the OVC is not a good football league. That simply is not the case. Postseason difficulties aside, the league has produced top-notch talent over the years, including Super Bowl MVP's (Morehead State's Phil Simms) and quality teams who have unfortunately had to go on the road in the playoffs and not advanced.

When the Pro Bowl roster was finalized on Monday, there were 10 former FCS players on the teams. Which FCS conference had the most selections? Not the Colonial. Not the Southern. Not the Big Sky. Not the Missouri Valley.

Nope it was the Ohio Valley Conference who led the way with three picks ... Tony Romo (Eastern Illinois, a three-time selection), Yeremiah Bell (Eastern Kentucky) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State - he is hurt and will not play in the game). You can read more about each players achievements in the article we posted at OVCSports.com last night by clicking HERE.

It is also the fourth straight season that the OVC has had at least one Pro Bowler (Romo was selected in 2006 and 2007, Cortland Finnegan appeared in the game in 2008).

On a side note, in last weekend's conference championship games, three of the four head coaches had a degree from an Ohio Valley Conference school. New Orleans coach Sean Payton, who will coach the Saints in Super Bowl XLIV in two weeks, is a graduate of Eastern Illinois (also known as the "Cradle of NFL Coaches") and topped fellow EIU alumnus Brad Childress in the NFL game. In the AFC, Rex Ryan didn't play collegiate football at Eastern Kentucky, but he did finish up his undergraduate degree there and complete his master's while coaching alongside OVC legend Roy Kidd.

So the next time someone tells you the OVC in not a good football league, remind them of all the talent (both on the field and the sidelines) that has come from the conference.

Who do you think is the best player or coach to ever come out of the OVC?

Here is a listing of all the FCS players in this year's Pro Bowl:

OVC (3)
Yeremiah Bell, Eastern Kentucky (Miami Dolphins)
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State (Arizona Cardinals)
Tony Romo, Eastern Illinois (Dallas Cowboys)

MEAC (2)
Antoine Bethea, Howard (Indianapolis Colts)
Nick Collins, Bethune-Cookman (Green Bay Packers)

Big Sky (1)
Jared Allen, Idaho State (Minnesota Vikings)

Colonial (1)
Darren Sharper, William & Mary (New Orleans Saints)

Independent (1)
Vincent Jackson, Northern Colorado (San Diego Chargers)

NEC (1)
Miles Austin, Monmouth (Dallas Cowboys)

SWAC (1)
Robert Mathis, Alabama A&M (Indianapolis Colts)