Cowboys Dominate Pro Bowl : NFL: An NFC-record 11 are chosen. Raiders’ Brown, Wisniewski and McDaniel, Rams’ Bettis and Gilbert are selected.

Three Raiders--receiver Tim Brown, guard Steve Wisniewski and defensive back Terry McDaniel--and two Rams--defensive tackle Sean Gilbert and running back Jerome Bettis--were selected to the Pro Bowl squad on Tuesday. All but McDaniel and Bettis were picked as starters.

Former Raider Marcus Allen also made the team as a starting running back in his first season as a Kansas City Chief.

But every team was dwarfed by the Dallas Cowboys’ 11-man contingent, an NFC record for one team, that was voted into Feb. 6 all-star game in Honolulu.

“I think having 11 guys selected shows you the kind of respect we have around the league,” said Dallas wide receiver Michael Irvin, who was selected. Quarterback Troy Aikman was top vote-getter among the fans.

This is the third selection for Brown, but his first as a receiver. He made the team in both 1988, his rookie season, and 1991 as a kick returner.

“I think I was a little surprised to be a starter, “ Brown said after learning of Tuesday’s selection. “Years ago, when I was new around here, I never even thought about it. I’d just come in the next day and find out who did make it.”

Brown has already reached career highs in receptions with 69 and yards gained receiving with 1,007 and has caught five touchdown passes. He has also returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown.

“I realized I had a chance this year because I had the numbers,” Brown said. “I’m very happy. It’s been a long time coming. It’s something I’ve wanted to achieve since I’ve been in this league.”

This trip to Hawaii will be the best of the three for Brown.

“This is a lot sweeter,” he said. “When I came into league, everyone knew I could return kickoffs and punts. The question was, could I be a Pro Bowl receiver? (Quarterback) Jeff (Hostetler) came in here and did a good job getting me the ball. He let me just go out and play this year.”

Another big difference, according to Brown, has been his ability to avoid injury as well as defensive backs.

“I’ve been able to work harder,” he said, “because I’ve not been banged up as much. I’ve been able to go into each game in peak condition and not worry about my ankle or my knee or whatever.”

Brown began this season not even sure he would be a Raider. He thought his contract made him a free agent, but the league ruled that he would have to remain a Raider for this season.

“It’s pretty ironic it turned out this way,” he said. “Once I realized I was going to be here, I told myself to go out and have the best year I could. I lost one battle, but I was not going to lose the rest. I put (the contract dispute) behind me.”

Wisniewski will be making his fourth Pro Bowl appearance, having been voted into the game each season since 1990. McDaniel, who leads the Raiders with five interceptions, made it to the Pro Bowl for the first time last season.

Gilbert, who leads the Rams with 9 1/2 sacks, is making his first Pro Bowl appearance. Bettis, a rookie, has rushed for 1,283 yards.

Gilbert and Bettis are the first Rams to make the NFC team since Jim Everett and Jackie Slater were selected in 1990.

This is the first season that the fans have been allowed to take part in the voting. The players, coaches and fans were each given one-third of the total vote.