NEW YORK - With 25 newcomers, the Pro Bowl is going to have a different look.

While the two 13-1 teams, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, led in total selections announced Wednesday, the biggest thrill was for those first-timers such as Arizona defensive end Bertrand Berry and Buffalo kick returner Terrence McGee.

"It's been a tremendous journey. One that has seen a lot of ups and downs," said Berry, the Cardinals' main offseason signing. "To be at this point at this stage of my career, I can't put it into words. It's a blessing, and a great story for young kids to know that if you stay persistent and never give up on your dreams, then good things can happen."

Good things such as beating out the likes of Dante Hall as the AFC's kick returner for the Feb. 13 game in Honolulu.

"I didn't think I'd be as excited as I was today when they called my name out," McGee said. "It feels good, but it will feel much better when I get over there and see my name on the back of the jersey."

Berry has 12½ sacks, tied with Simeon Rice for the NFC lead. McGee has run back four kicks for touchdowns, tying a league record.

"That makes it just as special because Dante is out there each year doing something amazing on special teams," McGee said.

The other AFC first-timers in balloting by players, fans and coaches were Chargers quarterback Drew Brees and tight end Antonio Gates; Steelers center Jeff Hartings, linebacker James Farrior and safety Troy Polamalu; Cincinnati cornerback Tory James; Houston wideout Andre Johnson; Kansas City guard Brian Waters and Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs.

For the NFC, newcomers were Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard, safety Michael Lewis and linebacker Ike Reese; Giants running back Tiki Barber; Dallas tight end Jason Witten; Green Bay fullback William Henderson and wideout Jevon Walker; Carolina linebacker Dan Morgan; Washington linebacker Marcus Washington; Detroit kick returner Eddie Drummond; defensive tackles Shaun Rogers of Detroit and Kevin Williams of Minnesota; and all three defensive ends: Berry, Atlanta's Patrick Kerney and Carolina's Julius Peppers.

"In my opinion, this has been his best season with us," Panthers coach John Fox said of Peppers. "I think every game he just gets better and better, and I think he'll continue that for some time."

The rest of the nine Eagles selected - the most representatives voted in for one team since 1998 - were quarterback Donovan McNabb, wide receiver Terrell Owens, who had ankle surgery Wednesday and is out for the rest of the regular season and perhaps the playoffs, tackle Tra Thomas, linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, kicker David Akers, and safety Brian Dawkins.

The Eagles already clinched home-field advantage for the NFC playoffs. Pittsburgh owns the AFC North crown and had the next-most selections with six: Farrior, Polamalu, Hartings, linebacker Joey Porter, guard Alan Faneca and wide receiver Hines Ward. That led the AFC, ahead of Baltimore and Kansas City with five each, while Indianapolis and New England had four apiece.

Green Bay, Atlanta and Dallas had four each in the NFC.

Peyton Manning set a record in the fan voting and was a runaway choice for AFC quarterback, along with the Patriots' Tom Brady and Brees.

"I certainly appreciate it," said Manning, one touchdown pass short of Dan Marino's record of 48 in a season. "I know it's voted on by my peers, by the coaches and the fans, and I'm proud to represent the Colts there."

For only the third time, a set of brothers made the same Pro Bowl. Cornerback Ronde Barber of Tampa Bay and running back Tiki Barber of the Giants were selected for the NFC roster - the first twins to make it.

The other brothers were Bruce and Clay Matthews in 1989 and 1990, and Sterling and Shannon Sharpe from 1993-95.

Other AFC notables were Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison, running back Edgerrin James and defensive end Dwight Freeney, the league's sacks leader with 15; the Jets' Curtis Martin, the league's leading rusher with 1,511 yards; and Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

The NFC runners along with Barber were Shaun Alexander of Seattle and Ahman Green of Green Bay. Joining McNabb as NFC quarterbacks were Michael Vick of Atlanta and Daunte Culpepper of Minnesota.

Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks made it for the eighth consecutive time, joining four others - Jack Lambert, Lawrence Taylor, Mike Singletary and Reggie White - who have won a Super Bowl, Defensive Player of the Year and eight straight trips to Hawaii.

"You take it in stride," Brooks said. "We're in a different position. You always want to be humble by the selection, don't want it to take away from the goal at hand. ... I'm still at the top of my game. I appreciate the league recognizes that."

Tennessee, Cleveland and San Francisco had no players selected.