NFL to end Pro Bowl

[Mizak]

NFL ends Pro Bowl, turns to skills competition

The NFL is replacing the Pro Bowl with weeklong skills competitions and a flag football game, the league announced Monday.

www.espn.com

 

[sutz]

Meh, might as well. Probably best not to risk injury for basically nothing. Once they do the voting, that's all the accolades they need.

 

[James in PA]

It's about time. What a joke the Pro Bowl had become.

 

[Rat]

No one is going to miss it. Easily the worst All-Star game of the big four sports. Not that I blame the NFL for it necessarily, after what these guys put their bodies through, they're not giving full effort, or even showing up to an exhibition game if they aren't heavily incentivized.

 

[Maelstrom787]

The skill competition is the way better event anyway. Used to be absolutely prime viewing back in the 2000s.

 

[ElvisInBlue]

Been saying for years they should just do skills competitions and forget about the half ass scrimmage.

Hope they get creative with something for the big bodies. Tug of war? Strongman events??

Could still keep the conference rivalry alive with an overall team points format.

 

[AROS]

Wait, I thought the Pro Bowl WAS flag football all these years.

 

[SantaClaraHawk]

What about the nominees who decline due to injury or fear of? Can they still do that now that it’s going to be flag?

 

[AROS]

Honestly this is something they should have done years ago. I am all for a fun, competitive but safer way to celebrate the league's best players at the end of each season. Stretching it out a week is even better. Various challenges, games, opportunities to enjoy watching the NFL's best perform in a low-risk environment which could still be engaging and fun to watch.

 

[Mizak]

What about the nominees who decline due to injury or fear of? Can they still do that now that it’s going to be flag?

These guys still have to run. What if they pull a hammy or go down on a non contact injury?

 

[nanomoz]

These guys still have to run. What if they pull a hammy or go down on a non contact injury?

Fair point. I'm not sure I would do it unless I was handsomely insured against injuries (on the NFL's dime) sustained during the event.

 

[Maelstrom787]

These guys still have to run. What if they pull a hammy or go down on a non contact injury?

If I were an athlete worth a damn, this is what I'd be worried about. Popping my achilles, specifically.