Greenway going to the Pro Bowl

Vikings LB Chad Greenway will be going to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career, moving from an alternate to a participant after Lance Briggs dropped out.

Vikings LB Chad Greenway will be going to the Pro Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway has moved from Pro Bowl alternate to Pro Bowl participant after Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs dropped out because of an injury. It is Greenway’s first Pro Bowl after recording a personal-best 174 tackles in 2011, the fourth straight season he has led the team in tackles.

Greenway will join Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, the NFL sacks leader, as representatives for Minnesota. Receiver Percy Harvin was also an alternate and told be ready, but no announcement on his status has been made yet.

“I’m excited to be going to the Pro Bowl, representing the Vikings and to be there with Jared. I couldn’t have done it without a lot of help and support from my teammates and coaches,” Greenway said in a statement. “Even though we didn’t have the kind of season we wanted to as far as winning games, we have guys who are proud and want to get back to the top. I’m honored to be thought of as a Pro Bowler and will make the most of the opportunity.”

The Pro Bowl is Jan. 29 in Honolulu.

As part of his 174 tackles, Greenway had 22 tackles against the Oakland Raiders, another personal best and the second-most tackles in a game in Vikings history. Greenway also added 13 tackles for a loss, two sacks and one fumble recovery.

The Vikings made Greenway their franchise player before the NFL lockout and subsequently signed him to a five-year, $41 million deal with $20 million guaranteed before the regular season began.

Greenway was also named the Vikings 2011 Community Man of the Year.

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