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Legend Steve Largent Shocks NFL by Publicly Criticizing the League After an “Indispensable” Seahawks Star Is Unusually Left Out of the 2025 Pro Bowl Voting

Seattle, Washington – December 24, 2025

Less than 24 hours after the Pro Bowl 2025 roster was released, the fallout has already rippled across the NFL. This time, however, the backlash is being fueled not just by fans or analysts, but by a voice that carries exceptional weight: Steve Largent, the most iconic figure in the history of the Seattle Seahawks.

Largent publicly expressed his frustration after Byron Murphy II was left off the Pro Bowl roster, despite being widely viewed as an indispensable cornerstone of Seattle’s defense during the 2025 season. Inside the organization, the omission wasn’t seen as a routine snub — but rather as a glaring sign of a flawed voting system.

Murphy has been a driving force behind the Seahawks’ emergence as one of the NFL’s top teams. He co-led Seattle in sacks, ranked among the league’s most productive interior defensive linemen, and served as the anchor at the line of scrimmage — a role that has made him nearly impossible for the coaching staff to take off the field. Perhaps most notably, Murphy led all defensive tackles in fan voting.

Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald praises Byron Murphy II for Week 15 showing -  Yahoo Sports

Yet the Pro Bowl is not determined by fans alone. Final selections are weighted equally between fan voting, NFL players, and coaches — each accounting for one-third of the total. And it was the lack of support from players and coaches that ultimately kept Murphy off the list — a detail that prompted Largent to speak out.

“The Pro Bowl exists to honor players who truly make a difference on the field,” Largent said. “And if a player is viewed by his own coaching staff as the foundation of the defense, leads fan voting at his position, and still doesn’t make the roster, then I honestly don’t know who in this league would be more deserving. When that happens, it’s clear the issue isn’t the player.”

Largent’s comments quickly spread throughout the Seahawks community, elevating the situation from a single omission into a broader debate about the fairness and purpose of the Pro Bowl itself. Many believe players who do the gritty, less glamorous work — yet consistently tilt the outcome of games — are routinely undervalued in the current recognition system.

The NFL has yet to issue an official response. But in Seattle, the message is unmistakable. The Pro Bowl may have overlooked Byron Murphy II, but inside the Seahawks’ locker room — and on the field when games truly matter — his value is unquestioned. And sometimes, the most meaningful recognition isn’t found on a ballot, but in the reality that you simply cannot be replaced when the stakes are at their highest.

US Destroys Iran's Attack Capabilities as Iranian Military Showcases Weapon Strength
The ongoing military standoff between the United States and Iran has escalated further, as the US claims to have destroyed several key Iranian military targets, while Iran continues to showcase its advanced weapons to assert its military power. In one of the latest developments, a submarine of the Iranian Navy was destroyed by US forces using the short-range ATACM ballistic missile as part of Operation Epic Fury. This move is part of the US strategy to weaken Iran’s military capabilities in the Middle East. Additionally, the US is deploying a landing strike group, including reconnaissance Marines, to bolster its presence in the region. This move comes amidst rising concerns about Iran’s growing military activities. However, Iran is not standing idle. The Iranian military has released videos showing underground tunnels filled with suicide drones, along with secret "firepower city" military facilities. These drones were launched from various locations, both during the day and at night, as part of Tehran’s retaliation against the US and Israel. In addition to the suicide drones, Iran has claimed to possess a massive stockpile of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which could be used to disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and launch attacks on multiple critical targets across the Gulf region. These weapons are reportedly stored in underground facilities, making it difficult for the US to detect and eliminate Iran’s military capabilities completely. Furthermore, Iran is said to possess explosive-laden unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) designed for suicide attacks on ships. Due to their small size and fast mobility, these USVs are challenging to detect and defend against, especially during nighttime operations. Despite the US claiming to have destroyed Iran’s offensive capabilities, military experts believe Tehran still retains the ability to effectively control the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route. The US has used long-range missiles such as the ATAC MS and PSM in attacks on Iranian military targets, including warships and supply depots. General Dan Ken, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, emphasized the importance of artillery forces in the ongoing operation. He stated that US artillery units, including those from the Army and Marine Corps, have accurately struck several key Iranian targets, including at least one submarine of the Russian-made Kilo class. In the first 13 days of the operation, US artillery achieved a historic milestone by using the PSM missile for the first time in actual combat, deep inside Iranian territory. These actions not only pressure Iran but also have significant ramifications for the Strait of Hormuz, where oil transportation activities could be severely disrupted, leading to oil prices reaching their highest levels since July 2022. The US continues to reinforce its military presence in the Middle East, with additional warships and landing forces expected to carry out further attacks on Iran. However, given Iran’s powerful military capabilities and its control over the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran remains a formidable challenge to US military strategies in the region.