Each year the NFL’s most talented players are selected for the NFC and AFC Pro Bowl rosters. They then head west to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl, football’s All-Star event.
At first it may sound entertaining, with the thought of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Michael Vick all competing on the same field.
However, the Pro Bowl is far from an elite event.
The game is held the week before the Super Bowl, which causes players from the two remaining teams to not participate. Of course, that is the smart thing to do. No player wants to suffer an injury the week before the biggest game of his life.
Secondly, like many All-Star games, the selection process is not always justified. Did Adrian Wilson have a Pro Bowl caliber season? No way. Wilson is clearly a talented player, and a key part of the Cardinals’ defense, but definitely not an All-Star in 2010.
The NFL has put effort into improving the event. In 2010, the game was relocated to Miami, also the site of that year’s Super Bowl.
Fortunately, Commissioner Roger Goodell moved the game back to Hawaii. The players are able to spend time in the Hawaiian Islands after a grueling season, and Hawaii is an exciting destination for fans. Hopefully the NFL can somehow find ways to make the Pro Bowl worthwhile. Until then, this football fan is not tuning in.
Reach the reporter at gregory.dillard@asu.edu
