Jan. 10, 2006

AUBURN, Ala. - Former Auburn offensive tackle and current Cincinnati Bengal Willie Anderson has been named as a starter for the AFC in the 2006 NFL Pro Bowl.

The appearance will mark Anderson's third straight Pro Bowl. He has played all 10 seasons of his professional career with the Bengals after being drafted in the first round, 10th overall, in the 1996 NFL Draft.

Anderson has started 97 straight games for the Bengals, which is a Cincinnati team record. In 2005, Anderson helped guide a Cincinnati offensive line that allowed just 1.31 sacks a game during the regular season, breaking the team's record of 1.56 a game in 1995.

Cincinnati finished the regular season 11-5, earning the team a trip to the playoffs. The Bengals were defeated in the first round by Pittsburgh, 31-17, on Sunday.

Anderson played for the Tigers from 1993-95 and was named to the All-SEC team in 1994 and 1995. He was a second-team All-American by the Associated Press his junior season. Anderson helped guide the Tigers to a 28-5-1 record in three seasons, including a 19-4-1 mark in Southeastern Conference play.

Anderson attended Vigor High School in Mobile, Ala., the same school that produced current Auburn freshman defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks.

The 2006 NFL Pro Bowl will be played on Feb. 12 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.