Trey McBride was receiving treatment ahead of the season finale when a lifelong dream of his was fulfilled.
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill walked into the training room and told the tight end that he was selected to the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl.
"It was great to hear it from him," McBride said. "I'm very proud to represent this organization."
Safety Budda Baker will join McBride in Orlando this week, marking his seventh Pro Bowl appearance. Thursday's events will feature a skills showdown which consists of competitive games between the NFC and AFC. A flag football game between the conferences will take place on Sunday in the Pro Bowl Games Championship.
McBride's selection is historic for a number of reasons. Not only is it McBride's Pro Bowl debut, but he becomes the first Cardinal tight end to go since Jackie Smith played in the game in 1970.
The selection comes after McBride posted record-smashing statistics in his third season. The Colorado native set a franchise record for tight end receptions with 111, and his 1,146 receiving yards is the second-most in team history at the position.
"You want to make it to the pros and then you want to be the best and for me, this is just one step in the right direction," McBride said. "This was a goal coming into this season and something I've been striving for since I've gotten to the NFL. I'm happy to finally accomplish it."
Only three former Cardinals have been to the Pro Bowl more than Baker. Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald had 11 selections, followed by the eight for defensive backs Patrick Peterson and Larry Wilson.
The Pro Bowl experience is nothing new for the Cardinals captain, and last year, Baker and the NFC won 64-59 in the flag game.
"I like the different events," said Baker, who has played in the Pro Bowl when it still resembled a regular game. "It's cool for people that don't really see our faces because we're in helmets."
"I'm just trying to have a good time out there and not take things super serious but just relish the moment," he added.
Even at 29, Baker continues to play at a high level. The second-team All-Pro safety set a career-high with 164 tackles this season. Sustained success under his recently signed contract extension will likely allow him to pass Peterson and Wilson's Pro Bowl nods.
But that's in the future. For this weekend, Baker is focused on the present, and the Pro Bowl veteran hopes his teammate does the same.
"There's a schedule that you have in the Pro Bowl so (McBride) will be at all the things and I'll be trying to hang out with him at certain times," Baker said. "He'll have a great time and I'm kind of just going to let him relish his moment of being in the Pro Bowl and be with the other tight ends and with the NFC guys. Just have a good time because that's what it's all about."
