LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Nine months after joining the Bears as an unheralded fifth-round draft pick from Division II Abilene Christian, Johnny Knox will conclude a memorable rookie season by playing in the Pro Bowl.

Johnny Knox's 102-yard kickoff return was the second longest in Bears history.

Knox was added to the NFC all-star roster as a return specialist Monday after fellow rookie Percy Harvin of the Minnesota Vikings pulled out of the game due to an injury.

“When I heard the news, I was speechless,” Knox said. “I was real excited to hear news like that. This was a long-term goal I had set early on in my career, but I didn’t expect it to happen this quickly.”

Knox ranked second in the NFL in kickoff returns with a 29.0-yard average, trailing only the Buccaneers’ Clifton Smith (29.1). The dynamic rookie returned 32 kickoffs for 927 yards, including a 102-yarder for a touchdown in a Week 4 win over the Lions that was the second longest kick return in Bears history.

Knox is the first Bears rookie to be named to the Pro Bowl since Devin Hester also went as a return specialist in 2006, and the fourth Bears kick returner to be selected in the last 11 seasons, following Glyn Milburn (1999), Jerry Azumah (2003) and Hester.

The Pro Bowl will be played Sunday at Sun Life Stadium in South Florida at the site of Super Bowl XLIV. Knox is scheduled to fly to Miami on Tuesday to join his NFC teammates.

“I’ve always been a fan of the game,” he said, “so I’m going to be real excited to see the veteran guys that I’ve been watching before I made it to this level.”

Knox will be the Bears’ lone Pro Bowl representative. Linebacker Lance Briggs was selected for the fifth straight season, but he withdrew from the game due to an injury.

Knox also excelled on offense this season. His 45 receptions tied for third most by a Bears rookie and tied for the most by a rookie wide receiver in team history. His 527 yards were the fifth most by a Bears rookie receiver.

Knox’s six total TDs tied for fifth among NFL rookies, trailing only Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno (9), Harvin (8), Cardinals running back Beanie Wells (7) and Colts receiver Austin Collie (7).

Knox also became the first Bears rookie to score a touchdown in four straight games since Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton accomplished the feat in 1975.