He couldn’t lift weights last year. But now Dallas Cowboys’ Frederick is in Pro Bowl.
Dallas Cowboys center Travis Frederick has now been named to five Pro Bowls.
He remembers each one and, yes, the first one remains special.
But there is something a little more satisfying and thrilling about his selection to the 2019 Pro Bowl, after missing all last season with Guillain-Barre syndrome.
“I think it does,” Frederick said. “Each one brings its own, unique feeling to it. But after everything I’ve been through, this one means a lot to me.”
Guillain-Barré syndrome is a disorder in which the immune system attacks the body’s nervous system in response to illness. With the condition, there was no set timetable with recovery.
It not only cost Frederick the entire 2018 season but also many wondered if he would play football again, let alone return to Pro Bowl form.
There were times last season when he couldn’t lift weights or even his kids.
Frederick readily acknowledges he is not back to his top level from years past but he still has been pretty good in 2019.
He believes the lessons he learned from his time away when he served as a volunteer coach may have increased his ceiling because he knows so much more about the game.
“That year helped me learn a lot about the game and [be more cerebral with my] approach to the game.”
Coach Jason Garrett agrees and says Frederick’s return has helped the offensive line reach another level.
“His impact is significant,” Garrett said. “Not only physically, but his ability to communicate and get everybody on the same page is critical.”
Frederick’s teammates know what he went through last season as well as what he means to their success.
They couldn’t be happier for him.
“You guys have an idea of what he went through last year,” right guard Zack Martin said. “The work that he put in in the off-season and through training camp and throughout the year to get back to where he’s been is pretty incredible. It’s been fun to watch.”
Said running back Ezekiel Elliott: “I know last year had to be scary for him. It was scary for me. Just to see where he was and how far he’s come, being able to come back and play at such a high level and make the Pro Bowl, that’s crazy.”
Martin, Elliott and tackle Tyron Smith will join Frederick at the Pro Bowl.
Martin is making his sixth straight trip to the Pro Bowl. But it never gets old for him.
“It’s an honor,” Martin said.
Elliott is heading to the Pro Bowl for a second straight season and third time in four seasons in the league.
“It’s really exciting,” Elliott said. “I’ve got to thank all the fans who voted, thank my coaching staff, thank my teammates. It’s the ultimate team sport. I wouldn’t be able to have success in this game without them. Just excited to make another Pro Bowl.”
This story was originally published December 18, 2019 at 6:58 PM.
