Beginning in 1923,[1] All-Pro teams have traditionally been assembled from press polls of individually voting sportswriters.
[2] After polling the writers, the votes are tallied to determine the selected players and the results have historically been published through various news syndicates.
The Associated Press (AP) and its All-Pro selections are the most widely recognized today.
Both the original selection and alternate will be credited as being a member of that year's Pro Bowl squad.
[7] The AP began selecting All-Pros in 1940, and is the longest running annual selector of the top NFL players.
Unlike selection to the Pro Bowls, votes are cast for outstanding players by position without consideration for whether the player competes in the American Football Conference (AFC) or National Football Conference (NFC).
One player is selected at quarterback, fullback, tight end, center, punter, kicker, and return specialist, while two players are selected at running back, wide receiver, offensive tackle, offensive guard, outside linebacker, inside/middle linebacker, defensive end, defensive tackle, cornerback, and safety.
Additionally, the editors and writers of Pro Football Weekly have personally selected All-AFC and All-NFC teams since 1970.