Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay packers was bummed by the NFC pro bowl's effort. The NFC a 5 point favorite lost 59-41 to the AFC. Rodgers was also quoted as saying "I was a little bit disappointed. I felt like some of the guys on the NFC side embarrassed themselves."
The pro bowl to me is a useless game and a waste of money. Don't get me wrong it is a great honor to be voted as a pro bowler and get the chance to go to Hawaii and play with the Pro Bowlers. Do these guys who make millions really need an all expense paid vacation to Hawaii? Do they really need to be out there playing in a game that means nothing but revenue to someone?
In MLB the All Star game mean's something. They are playing for home field advantage in the World Series. In NBA and NHL there might not be as much meaning in the game but they are different games. I mean in hockey you could still get hurt with an arrant slap shot or an accidental high stick but the game isn't played like it normally is with the big hits. In NBA it's more of a pick up game style of game just with a group of very rich athletic guys. In the NFL and the game of football every single play someone gets hit. The risk of getting hurt is a lot higher. So why risk getting hurt over a game that means nothing? Why risk getting hurt when it could effect next years season, the season that gets you your pay check?
The NFL this year is having an award ceremony show to award all the player their awards. For what reason? To make more money. So why not come up with a different solution for the All Star/Pro Bowl week in the NFL. Why not still have the award ceremony like they plan on doing this week but also have a skills competition like they used to?
As a fan I admit I did not watch the Pro Bowl and will probably not watch the award ceremony. Having the depressing week of no football was too much to have to settle for a game (the Pro Bowl) that is being played half speed. If they had the skills competition back, I would watch every single second of that. It would be similar to the love I had for the NFL Quarterback video game.
In 2007 they had the last skills competition and had the following events:
40 yard dash
Throwing Accuracy
Distance Kicking
Catching
Bench Press
You could throw in several more events to not only make it last a little longer but to make it so more players in the pro bowl can participate, and to have it be more view able for fans. Have a contest to see what QB can throw it the farthest, or race the big OL in the 40 yard dash to see which of the slowest guys in football are the fastest. Have an obstacle course the players can race through. Have a touchdown celebration contest free of fines and flags. I could go on and on thinking of fun events. I honestly think you could have a day of skills challenges and a night of NFL awards to help fill the void instead of having a meaningless game that bums Aaron Rodgers out.
So NFL if you are listening please do something to help make the fan experience better. Even if players get upset they don't get a free trip to Hawaii do something great for the people that help pay those players payroll.
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