MOBILE, Ala. -- Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said he became emotional last week when he called linebacker Sean Lee to tell him he was being added to the Pro Bowl team.

Lee has long been considered one of the league's top NFL linebackers but a series of injuries throughout his career has kept him from ever participating in the Pro Bowl.

Lee is replacing Kansas City linebacker Justin Houston. Lee missed all of last season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

"We got a chance to call him last week and tell him that and share that news with him and I'll be honest, it made me emotional doing it," Garrett said, "all the hard work that he went through to come back from the injury, the level he played at, the impact he had on our team, he's a really special guy."

Garrett said Lee was excited to learn he'll play in the Pro Bowl for the first time.

"Think about where he came from and what he went through this past year and really some of the injuries that he's had in the past," Garrett added. "He's been that caliber of player throughout his career. He's dealt with some injuries and some adversities that haven't allowed him to show that to everybody and I think he showed that to everybody this year and he just should have a hell of a week out there and really soak it all up."