Pro Bowl

Pro Bowl

The Pro Bowl Most Valuable Player trophy
First played 1951
Recent and upcoming games
2016 season
January 29, 2017 (Details)

The Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League (NFL). From the merger with the rival American Football League (AFL) in 1970 up through 2013, it was officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference (AFC) against those in the National Football Conference (NFC). Since 2014, the teams have been selected by two honorary team captains (who are each in the Hall of Fame), instead of selecting players from each conference. The players are picked in a televised "schoolyard pick" prior to the game.[1]

Unlike most North American sports leagues, which hold their all-star games roughly midway through their respective regular seasons, the Pro Bowl is played around the end of the NFL season. Between 1970 and 2009, it was usually held the weekend after the Super Bowl. Since 2010, the Pro Bowl has been played the weekend before the Super Bowl. Players from the two teams going for the Super Bowl do not participate.

The Pro Bowl has caused controversy within recent history.[2] It draws lower TV ratings than its regular-season games,[3] although the game draws similar ratings to other major all-star games such as the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.[4] However, the biggest concern of teams is to avoid injuries to the star players.[5] The Associated Press wrote that players in the 2012 game were "hitting each other as though they were having a pillow fight."[6]

History of the Pro Bowl

The first "Pro All-Star Game," featuring the all-stars of the 1938 season (as well as three players from the Hawaii Stars and Hawaii superstars , who were not members of the league), was played on January 15, 1939 at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles.[7][8] The NFL All-Star Game was played again in Los Angeles in 1940 and then in New York and Philadelphia in 1941 and 1942 respectively. Although originally planned as an annual contest, the all-star game was discontinued after 1942 because of travel restrictions put in place during World War II.[9] During the first five all-star games, an all-star team would face that year's league champion. The league champion won the first four games before the all-stars were victorious in the final game of this early series.

The concept of an all-star game would not be revived until June 1950, when the newly christened "Pro Bowl" was approved.[9] The game was sponsored by the Los Angeles Publishers Association. It was decided that the game would feature all-star teams from each of the league's two conferences rather than the league champion versus all-star format which had been used previously. This was done to avoid confusion with the Chicago College All-Star Game, an annual game which featured the league champion against a collegiate all-star team. The teams would be led by the coach of each of the conference champions.[9]

The first 21 games of the series (1951–1972) were played in Los Angeles, California. The site of the game was changed annually for each of the next seven years before the game was moved to Aloha Stadium in Halawa, Hawaii for 30 straight seasons from 1980 through 2009. The 2010 Pro Bowl was played at Sun Life Stadium, the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins and host site of Super Bowl XLIV, on January 31, the first time ever that the Pro Bowl was held before the championship game, with the new rule that the conference teams do not include players from the teams that will be playing in the Super Bowl. The Pro Bowl then returned to Hawaii in 2011, but was again held during the week before the Super Bowl, where it remained for three more years.

The 2012 game was met with criticism from fans and sports writers for the lack of quality play by the players (see below). On October 24, 2012, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had second thoughts about the Pro Bowl, telling a Sirius XM show that if the players did not play more competitively [in the 2013 Pro Bowl], he was "not inclined to play it anymore."[10][11] During the ensuing off-season, the NFL Players Association lobbied to keep the Pro Bowl, and negotiated several rule changes to be implemented for the 2014 game. Among them, the teams will no longer be AFC vs. NFC, and instead be selected by captains in a fantasy draft. For the 2014 game, Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders were chosen as alumni captains, while their captains were Drew Brees and Robert Quinn (Rice), along with Jamaal Charles and J. J. Watt (Sanders).[12]

On April 9, 2014, the NFL announced that the 2015 Pro Bowl would be played the week before the Super Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on January 25, 2015.[13] The game returned to Hawaii in 2016. It was also announced that the "unconferenced" format will continue.[14] For 2017, the league is considering a bid to host the game at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which if approved will be the first time the game has been hosted outside the United States.[15] The NFL is also considering future Pro Bowls in Mexico and Germany. The NFL hopes that by leveraging international markets with the star power of Pro Bowls, international popularity and viewership will increase.[16]

Player selection

Tackle during the 2006 Pro Bowl in Hawaii

Currently, players are voted into the Pro Bowl by the coaches, the players themselves, and the fans. Each group's ballots count for one third of the votes. The fans vote online at the NFL's official website. There are also replacements that go to the game should any selected player be unable to play due to injuries. Prior to 1995, only the coaches and the players made Pro Bowl selections.

In order to be considered a Pro Bowler for a given year, a player must either have been one of the initial players selected to the team, or a player who accepts an invitation to the Pro Bowl as an alternate; invited alternates who decline to attend are not considered Pro Bowlers. Being a Pro Bowler is considered to be a mark of honor, and players who are accepted into the Pro Bowl are considered to be elite.

Players whose teams advanced to the Super Bowl do not play in the Pro Bowl, and they are replaced by alternate players.

Since 2014, players do not play according to conference; instead, they are placed in a draft pool and chosen by team captains.[12]

Coaching staffs

When the Pro Bowl was held after the Super Bowl, the head coaches were traditionally the head coaches of the teams that lost in the AFC and NFC championship games for the same season of the Pro Bowl in question. From 1978 through 1982, the head coaches of the highest ranked divisional champion that lost in the Divisional Playoff Round were chosen.[17] For the 1983 Pro Bowl, the NFL resumed selecting the losing head coaches in the conference championship games. In the 1999 Pro Bowl, New York Jets head coach Bill Parcells, after his team lost to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game, had to decline due to health reasons and Jets assistant head coach Bill Belichick took his place.[18]

After the Pro Bowl was moved to the weekend between the Conference Championship games and the Super Bowl, the team that lost in the Divisional Playoff Round with the best regular-season record would have their coaching staffs lead their respective conference Pro Bowl team returning to the format used 1978-1982. If the losing teams of each conference had the same regular season record the coaches from the higher-seeded team will get the Pro Bowl honor.[19] Since 2014, the Pro Bowl coaches come from the two teams with the best records that lost in the Divisional Playoffs. (In the 2015 Pro Bowl, when John Fox left his coaching job with Denver after his playoff loss to Indianapolis that year, John Harbaugh of Baltimore took over. The next year saw Green Bay's assistant coach Winston Moss took over as Mike McCarthy resigned from coaching due to illness.)

Game honors

Kyle Rudolph with the Pro Bowl MVP trophy in 2013.

A Player of the Game was honored 1951–56. 1957–71, awards were presented to both an Outstanding Back and an Outstanding Lineman. In 1972 and since 2014, there are awards for both an Outstanding Offensive Player and an Outstanding Defensive Player. 1973–2007, only one Player of the Game award was honored (though three times this award has been presented to multiple players in a single game). In 2008 the award was changed to Most Valuable Player (MVP).[20]

Players are paid for participating in the game with the winning team receiving a larger payout. In 2011 and 2013, $50,000 went to victors versus $25,000 for the losers.[6] In 2012, this was increased to $65,000 and $40,000, respectively. In 2014, the winners took $53,000 and the losers $26,000. Since 2015 winners earn $55,000 while losers got $28,000.

Rule differences

The Pro Bowl has different rules from other NFL games to make the game safer.[21][22]

In case of a tie after regulation, multiple 15-minute OT periods will be played (with each team receiving two time outs per period; maximum of three per even period), and in the first overtime teams receive one possession to score unless one of them scores a touchdown/safety on its first possession. True sudden death rules apply thereafter if both teams have had their initial possession and the game remains tied. (In general, beyond the 1st overtime, whoever scores first wins. The first overtime starts as if the game had started over, like the NFL Playoffs.)

Pro Bowl uniforms

Quarterback Peyton Manning (#18) before the 2006 Pro Bowl.

The teams are made of players from different NFL teams, so using their own uniforms would be too confusing. The players each wear the helmet of their team, but the home jerseys and pants are either a solid blue for the NFC or solid red for the AFC, with white jerseys with blue or red accents, respectively, for the away team. While it had been speculated that the color of Pro Bowl jerseys was determined by the winner of the Super Bowl—as it had been played post-Super Bowl for many years—this is untrue. The design of Pro Bowl uniforms is changed every two years, and the color and white jerseys are rotated along with the design change. This has been Pro Bowl tradition since the switch to team specific helmets, which started with the January 1979 game. The two-year switch was originally created as a marketing ploy by Nike, and was continued by Reebok, which won the merchandising contract in 2002. Nike subsequently won the contract back in 2011.

The early Pro Bowl, contested by the National Football League's Eastern and Western Division stars and played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, featured the same uniforms from the 1950s to mid-1960s; the Eastern team wore scarlet jerseys with white numerals and a white crescent shoulder stripe, white pants with red stripe, red socks, and a plain red helmet. The Western team wore white jerseys with royal-blue numerals and a Northwestern University-style Ukon triple stripe on the sleeves, white pants with blue stripe and socks and a plain blue helmet. Perhaps oddly, the Eastern team wore home dark jerseys, although the host city team, the Los Angeles Rams, were members of the Western Conference. From January 1967 to January 1970 both teams wore gold helmets with the NFL logo on the sides; the Eastern helmets featured a red-white-red tri-stripe and the Western a similar blue-white-blue tri-stripe. In fact, the players brought their own game helmets to Los Angeles, which were then spray-painted and decorated for the contest. For the 1970 game the helmets featured the '50 NFL' logo, commemorating the league's half-century anniversary.

In the earliest years of the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, the players did not wear their unique helmets, as they do now. The AFC All-Stars wore a solid red helmet with a white A on it, while the NFC players wore a solid white helmet with a blue N on it. The AFC's red helmets were paired with white jerseys and red pants, while the NFC's white helmets were paired with blue jerseys and white pants.

Two players with the same number who are elected to the Pro Bowl can now wear the same number for that game. This was not always the case in the past.

The 2008 Pro Bowl included a unique example of several players from the same team wearing the same number in a Pro Bowl. For the game, Washington Redskins players T Chris Samuels, TE Chris Cooley, and LS Ethan Albright all wore the number 21 (a number normally inappropriate for their positions) in memory of their teammate Sean Taylor, who had been murdered during the 2007 season.[23]

On October 7, 2013, Nike unveiled the uniforms for the 2014 Pro Bowl, which revealed that the red, white and blue colors that the game uniforms bore throughout its entire history will no longer be used for this game. As the NFC–AFC format will no longer be used either, team 1 will sport a white uniform with bright orange and team 2 will sport a grey uniform with volt green.[24] The new uniforms received mixed reviews from fans and sports columnists alike, one even mentioning that the game would look like an "Oregon vs. Oklahoma State" game.[25]

Game results

NFL All-Star Games (1939–1942)

No Most Valuable Player awards were presented during these games
Season Date Score Venue Attendance Head coaches
1938 January 15, 1939 New York Giants 13, NFL All-Stars 10 Wrigley Field, Los Angeles 15,000[26] AS: Ray Flaherty (Washington) and Gus Henderson (Detroit)
NY: Steve Owen
1939 January 14, 1940 Green Bay Packers 16, NFL All-Stars 7 Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles 18,000 AS: Steve Owen (New York)
GB: Curly Lambeau
1940 December 29, 1940 Chicago Bears 28, NFL All-Stars 14 Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles 21,624 AS: Ray Flaherty (Washington)
CB: George Halas
1941 January 4, 1942 Chicago Bears 35, NFL All-Stars 24 Polo Grounds, New York City 17,725 AS: Steve Owen (New York)
CB: George Halas
1942 December 27, 1942 NFL All-Stars 17, Washington Redskins 14 Shibe Park, Philadelphia 18,671 AS: Hunk Anderson (Chicago Bears)
Wash: Ray Flaherty

NFL Pro Bowls (1951–1970)

Season Date Score Series Most Valuable Players Venue[27] Attendance Head coaches Television
1950 January 14, 1951 American Conference 28, National Conference 27 AC, 1–0 Otto Graham, Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 53,676 AC: Paul Brown, Cleveland
NC: Joe Stydahar, Los Angeles
1951 January 12, 1952[28] National Conference 30, American Conference 13 Tied, 1–1 Dan Towler, Los Angeles Rams, Running back Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 19,400 AC: Paul Brown, Cleveland
NC: Joe Stydahar, Los Angeles 		NBC
1952 January 10, 1953[28] National Conference 27, American Conference 7 NC, 2–1 Don Doll, Detroit Lions, Defensive back Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 34,208 AC: Paul Brown, Cleveland
NC: Buddy Parker, Detroit 		NBC
1953 January 17, 1954 East 20, West 9 Tied, 2–2 Chuck Bednarik, Philadelphia Eagles, Linebacker Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 44,214 EC: Paul Brown, Cleveland
WC: Buddy Parker, Detroit 		DuMont
1954 January 16, 1955 West 26, East 19 West, 3–2 Billy Wilson, San Francisco 49ers, End Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 43,972 EC: Jim Trimble, Philadelphia
WC: Buck Shaw, San Francisco
1955 January 15, 1956 East 31, West 30 Tied, 3–3 Ollie Matson, Chicago Cardinals, Running back Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 37,867 EC: Joe Kuharich, Washington
WC: Sid Gillman, Los Angeles
1956 January 13, 1957 West 19, East 10 West, 4–3 Back: Bert Rechichar, Baltimore Colts
Lineman: Ernie Stautner, Pittsburgh Steelers 		Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 44,177 EC: Jim Lee Howell, New York
WC: Paddy Driscoll, Chicago Bears
1957 January 12, 1958 West 26, East 7 West, 5–3 Back: Hugh McElhenny, San Francisco 49ers
Lineman: Gene Brito, Washington Redskins 		Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 66,634 EC: Buddy Parker, Pittsburgh
WC: George Wilson, Detroit 		NBC
1958 January 11, 1959 East 28, West 21 West, 5–4 Back: Frank Gifford, New York Giants
Lineman: Doug Atkins, Chicago Bears 		Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 72,250 EC: Jim Lee Howell, New York
WC: Weeb Ewbank, Baltimore 		NBC
1959 January 17, 1960 West 38, East 21 West, 6–4 Back: Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts
Lineman: Eugene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb, Pittsburgh Steelers 		Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 56,876 EC: Buck Shaw, Philadelphia
WC: Red Hickey, San Francisco 		NBC
1960 January 15, 1961 West 35, East 31 West, 7–4 Back: Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts
Lineman: Sam Huff, New York Giants 		Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 62,971 EC: Buck Shaw, Philadelphia
WC: Vince Lombardi, Green Bay 		NBC
1961 January 14, 1962 West 31, East 30 West, 8–4 Back: Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns
Lineman: Henry Jordan, Green Bay Packers 		Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 57,409 EC: Allie Sherman, New York
WC: Norm Van Brocklin, Minnesota 		NBC
1962 January 13, 1963 East 30, West 20 West, 8–5 Back: Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns
Lineman: Eugene Lipscomb, Pittsburgh Steelers 		Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 61,374 EC: Allie Sherman, New York
WC: Vince Lombardi, Green Bay 		NBC
1963 January 12, 1964 West 31, East 17 West, 9–5 Back: Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts
Lineman: Gino Marchetti, Baltimore Colts 		Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 67,242 EC: Allie Sherman, New York
WC: George Halas, Chicago 		NBC
1964 January 10, 1965 West 34, East 14 West, 10–5 Back: Fran Tarkenton, Vikings
Lineman: Terry Barr, Detroit Lions 		Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 60,598 EC: Blanton Collier, Cleveland
WC: Don Shula, Baltimore 		NBC
1965 January 15, 1966 East 36, West 7 West, 10–6 Back: Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns
Lineman: Dale Meinert, St. Louis Cardinals 		Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 60,124 EC: Blanton Collier, Cleveland
WC: Vince Lombardi, Green Bay 		CBS
1966 January 22, 1967 East 20, West 10 West, 10–7 Back: Gale Sayers, Chicago Bears
Lineman: Floyd Peters, Philadelphia Eagles 		Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 15,062 EC: Tom Landry, Dallas
WC: George Allen, Los Angeles 		CBS
1967 January 21, 1968 West 38, East 20 West, 11–7 Back: Gale Sayers, Chicago Bears
Lineman: Dave Robinson, Green Bay Packers 		Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 53,289 EC:Otto Graham, Washington
WC: Don Shula, Baltimore 		CBS
1968 January 19, 1969 West 10, East 7 West, 12–7 Back: Roman Gabriel, Los Angeles Rams
Lineman: Merlin Olsen, Los Angeles Rams 		Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 32,050 EC: Tom Landry, Dallas
WC: George Allen, Los Angeles 		CBS
1969 January 18, 1970 West 16, East 13 West, 13–7 Back: Gale Sayers, Chicago Bears
Lineman: George Andrie, Dallas Cowboys 		Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 57,786 EC: Tom Fears, New Orleans
WC: Norm Van Brocklin, Atlanta 		CBS

AFC–NFC Pro Bowls (1971–2013)

Season Date Score Series Most Valuable Player(s) Venue Attendance Head coaches Television
1970 January 24, 1971 NFC, 27–6 NFC, 1–0 Lineman: Fred Carr, Packers
Back: Mel Renfro, Cowboys 		Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California 48,222 AFC: John Madden, Oakland
NFC: Dick Nolan, San Francisco 		CBS
1971 January 23, 1972 AFC, 26–13 Tied, 1–1 Defense: Willie Lanier, Chiefs
Offense: Jan Stenerud, Chiefs 		Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California 53,647 AFC: Don McCafferty, Baltimore
NFC: Dick Nolan, San Francisco 		NBC
1972 January 21, 1973 AFC, 33–28 AFC, 2–1 O.J. Simpson, Bills, Running back Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas 37,091 AFC: Chuck Noll, Pittsburgh
NFC: Tom Landry, Dallas 		CBS
1973 January 20, 1974 AFC, 15–13 AFC, 3–1 Garo Yepremian, Dolphins, Placekicker Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 66,918 AFC: John Madden, Oakland
NFC: Tom Landry, Dallas 		NBC
1974 January 20, 1975[29] NFC, 17–10 AFC, 3–2 James Harris, Rams, Quarterback Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida 26,484 AFC: John Madden, Oakland
NFC: Chuck Knox, Los Angeles 		ABC
1975 January 26, 1976[29] NFC, 23–20 Tied, 3–3 Billy Johnson, Oilers, Kick returner Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana 30,546 AFC: John Madden, Oakland
NFC: Chuck Knox, Los Angeles 		ABC
1976 January 17, 1977[29] AFC, 24–14 AFC, 4–3 Mel Blount, Steelers, Cornerback The Kingdome, Seattle, Washington 64,752 AFC: Chuck Noll, Pittsburgh
NFC: Chuck Knox, Los Angeles 		ABC
1977 January 23, 1978[29] NFC, 14–13 Tied, 4–4 Walter Payton, Bears, Running back Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida 51,337 AFC: Ted Marchibroda, Baltimore
NFC: Chuck Knox, Los Angeles 		ABC
1978 January 29, 1979[29] NFC, 13–7 NFC, 5–4 Ahmad Rashad, Vikings, Wide receiver Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California 46,281 AFC: Chuck Fairbanks, New England
NFC: Bud Grant, Minnesota 		ABC
1979 January 27, 1980 NFC, 37–27 NFC, 6–4 Chuck Muncie, Saints, Running back Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 49,800 AFC: Don Coryell, San Diego
NFC: Tom Landry, Dallas 		ABC
1980 February 1, 1981 NFC, 21–7 NFC, 7–4 Eddie Murray, Lions, Placekicker Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,360 AFC: Sam Rutigliano, Cleveland
NFC: Leeman Bennett, Atlanta 		ABC
1981 January 31, 1982 AFC, 16–13 NFC, 7–5 Lee Roy Selmon, Buccaneers, Defensive end
Kellen Winslow, Chargers, Tight end 		Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,402 AFC: Don Shula, Miami
NFC: John McKay, Tampa Bay 		ABC
1982 February 6, 1983 NFC, 20–19 NFC, 8–5 Dan Fouts, Chargers, Quarterback
John Jefferson, Packers, Wide receiver 		Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 49,883 AFC: Walt Michaels, N.Y. Jets
NFC: Tom Landry, Dallas 		ABC
1983 January 29, 1984 NFC, 45–3 NFC, 9–5 Joe Theismann, Redskins, Quarterback Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,445 AFC: Chuck Knox, Seattle
NFC: Bill Walsh, San Francisco 		ABC
1984 January 27, 1985 AFC, 22–14 NFC, 9–6 Mark Gastineau, Jets, Defensive end Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,385 AFC: Chuck Noll, Pittsburgh
NFC: Mike Ditka, Chicago 		ABC
1985 February 2, 1986 NFC, 28–24 NFC, 10–6 Phil Simms, Giants, Quarterback Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,101 AFC: Don Shula, Miami
NFC: John Robinson, L.A. Rams 		ABC
1986 February 1, 1987 AFC, 10–6 NFC, 10–7 Reggie White, Eagles, Defensive end Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,101 AFC: Marty Schottenheimer, Cleveland
NFC: Joe Gibbs, Washington 		ABC
1987 February 7, 1988 AFC, 15–6 NFC, 10–8 Bruce Smith, Bills, Defensive end Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,113 AFC: Marty Schottenheimer, Cleveland
NFC: Jerry Burns, Minnesota 		ESPN
1988 January 29, 1989 NFC, 34–3 NFC, 11–8 Randall Cunningham, Eagles, Quarterback Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,113 AFC: Marv Levy, Buffalo
NFC: Mike Ditka, Chicago 		ESPN
1989 February 4, 1990 NFC, 27–21 NFC, 12–8 Jerry Gray, Rams, Cornerback Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,445 AFC: Bud Carson, Cleveland
NFC: John Robinson, L.A. Rams 		ESPN
1990 February 3, 1991 AFC, 23–21 NFC, 12–9 Jim Kelly, Bills, Quarterback Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,345 AFC: Art Shell, L.A. Raiders
NFC: George Seifert, San Francisco 		ESPN
1991 February 2, 1992 NFC, 21–15 NFC, 13–9 Michael Irvin, Cowboys, Wide receiver Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,209 AFC: Dan Reeves, Denver
NFC: Wayne Fontes, Detroit 		ESPN
1992 February 7, 1993 AFC, 23–20 (OT) NFC, 13–10 Steve Tasker, Bills, Special teams Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,007 AFC: Don Shula, Miami
NFC: George Seifert, San Francisco 		ESPN
1993 February 6, 1994 NFC, 17–3 NFC, 14–10 Andre Rison, Falcons, Wide receiver Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,026 AFC: Marty Schottenheimer, Kansas City
NFC: George Seifert, San Francisco 		ESPN
1994 February 5, 1995 AFC, 41–13 NFC, 14–11 Marshall Faulk, Colts, Running back Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 49,121 AFC: Bill Cowher, Pittsburgh
NFC: Barry Switzer, Dallas 		ABC
1995 February 4, 1996 NFC, 20–13 NFC, 15–11 Jerry Rice, 49ers, Wide receiver Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,034 AFC: Ted Marchibroda, Indianapolis
NFC: Mike Holmgren, Green Bay 		ABC
1996 February 2, 1997 AFC, 26–23 (OT) NFC, 15–12 Mark Brunell, Jaguars, Quarterback Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,031 AFC: Tom Coughlin, Jacksonville
NFC: Dom Capers, Carolina 		ABC
1997 February 1, 1998 AFC, 29–24 NFC, 15–13 Warren Moon, Seahawks, Quarterback Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 49,995 AFC: Bill Cowher, Pittsburgh
NFC: Steve Mariucci, San Francisco 		ABC
1998 February 7, 1999 AFC, 23–10 NFC, 15–14 Keyshawn Johnson, Jets, Wide receiver
Ty Law, Patriots, Cornerback 		Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,075 AFC: Bill Belichick,[30] N.Y. Jets
NFC: Dennis Green, Minnesota 		ABC
1999 February 6, 2000 NFC, 51–31 NFC, 16–14 Randy Moss, Vikings, Wide receiver Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,112 AFC: Tom Coughlin, Jacksonville
NFC: Tony Dungy, Tampa Bay 		ABC
2000 February 4, 2001 AFC, 38–17 NFC, 16–15 Rich Gannon, Raiders, Quarterback Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,128 AFC: Jon Gruden, Oakland
NFC: Dennis Green, Minnesota 		ABC
2001 February 9, 2002[28] AFC, 38–30 Tied, 16–16 Rich Gannon, Raiders, Quarterback Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,301 AFC: Bill Cowher, Pittsburgh
NFC: Andy Reid, Philadelphia 		ABC
2002 February 2, 2003 AFC, 45–20 AFC, 17–16 Ricky Williams, Dolphins, Running back Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,125 AFC: Jeff Fisher, Tennessee
NFC: Andy Reid, Philadelphia 		ABC
2003 February 8, 2004 NFC, 55–52 Tied, 17–17 Marc Bulger, Rams, Quarterback Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,127 AFC: Tony Dungy, Indianapolis
NFC: Andy Reid, Philadelphia 		ESPN
2004 February 13, 2005 AFC, 38–27 AFC, 18–17 Peyton Manning, Colts, Quarterback Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,225 AFC: Bill Cowher, Pittsburgh
NFC: Jim L. Mora, Atlanta 		ESPN
2005 February 12, 2006 NFC 23–17 Tied, 18–18 Derrick Brooks, Buccaneers, Linebacker Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,190 AFC: Mike Shanahan, Denver
NFC: John Fox, Carolina 		ESPN
2006 February 10, 2007[28] AFC 31–28 AFC, 19–18 Carson Palmer, Bengals, Quarterback Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,410 AFC: Bill Belichick, New England
NFC: Sean Payton, New Orleans 		CBS
2007 February 10, 2008 NFC 42–30 Tied, 19–19 Adrian Peterson, Vikings, Running back Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50,044 AFC: Norv Turner, San Diego
NFC: Mike McCarthy, Green Bay 		Fox
2008 February 8, 2009 NFC 30–21 NFC, 20–19 Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals, Wide receiver Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 49,958 AFC: John Harbaugh, Baltimore
NFC: Andy Reid, Philadelphia 		NBC
2009 January 31, 2010 AFC 41–34 Tied, 20–20 Matt Schaub, Texans, Quarterback Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida 70,697 AFC: Norv Turner, San Diego
NFC: Wade Phillips, Dallas 		ESPN
2010 January 30, 2011 NFC 55–41 NFC, 21–20 DeAngelo Hall, Redskins, Cornerback Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 49,338 AFC: Bill Belichick, New England
NFC: Mike Smith, Atlanta 		Fox
2011 January 29, 2012 AFC 59–41 Tied, 21–21 Brandon Marshall, Dolphins, Wide receiver Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 48,423 AFC: Gary Kubiak, Houston
NFC: Mike McCarthy, Green Bay 		NBC
2012 January 27, 2013 NFC 62–35 NFC, 22–21 Kyle Rudolph, Vikings, Tight End Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii 47,134 AFC: John Fox, Denver
NFC: Mike McCarthy, Green Bay 		NBC

Unconferenced Pro Bowls (2014–)

Season Date Score Most Valuable Player(s) Venue Attendance Head coaches Television
2013 January 26, 2014 Team Rice 22,
Team Sanders 21		 Offense: Nick Foles, Eagles, Quarterback
Defense: Derrick Johnson, Chiefs, Linebacker 		Aloha Stadium,
Honolulu, Hawaii 		47,270 Rice: Ron Rivera, Carolina
Sanders: Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis 		NBC
2014 January 25, 2015 Team Irvin 32,
Team Carter 28		 Offense: Matthew Stafford, Lions, Quarterback
Defense: J. J. Watt, Texans, Defensive End 		University of Phoenix Stadium,
Glendale, Arizona		63,225 Irvin: Jason Garrett, Dallas
Carter: John Harbaugh, Baltimore
ESPN
2015 January 31, 2016 Team Irvin 49,
Team Rice 27 		Offense: Russell Wilson, Seahawks, Quarterback
Defense: Michael Bennett, Seahawks, Defensive End		 Aloha Stadium,
Honolulu, Hawaii		50,000Irvin: Winston Moss, Green Bay
Rice: Andy Reid, Kansas City

Stadiums that have hosted the Pro Bowl

Records

Appearances

This is a list of players with most Pro Bowl selections. Players listed in bold type are currently active as of the 2015 season.

Number Player Position Seasons by team Selection Years Year of induction into
Pro Football Hall of Fame
14 Tony Gonzalez TE Kansas City Chiefs (1997–2008)
Atlanta Falcons (2009–2013)		 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Eligible in 2019
14 Peyton Manning QB Indianapolis Colts (1998–2011)
Denver Broncos (2012–2015)		 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 Eligible in 2021
14 Bruce Matthews G Houston Oilers / Tennessee Oilers / Tennessee Titans (1983–2001) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 2007
14 Merlin Olsen DT Los Angeles Rams (1962–1976) 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975 1982
13 Ray Lewis LB Baltimore Ravens (1996–2012) 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 Eligible in 2018
13 Jerry Rice WR San Francisco 49ers (1985–2000)
Oakland Raiders (2001–2004)
Seattle Seahawks (2004)		 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2002 2010
13 Reggie White DE Philadelphia Eagles (1985–1992)
Green Bay Packers (1993–1998)
Carolina Panthers (2000)		 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 2006
12 Champ Bailey CB Washington Redskins (1999–2003)
Denver Broncos (2004–2013)
 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 Eligible in 2019
12 Ken Houston S Houston Oilers (1967–1972)
Washington Redskins (1973–1980)		 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 1986
12 Randall McDaniel G Minnesota Vikings (1988–1999)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2000–2001)		 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 2009
12 Jim Otto C Oakland Raiders (1960–1974) 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 1980
12 Junior Seau LB San Diego Chargers (1990–2002)
Miami Dolphins (2003–2005)
New England Patriots (2006–2009)		 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 2015
12 Will Shields G Kansas City Chiefs (1993–2006) 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 2015
11 Larry Allen G Dallas Cowboys (1994–2005)
San Francisco 49ers (2006–2007)		 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 2013
11 Tom Brady QB New England Patriots (2000–present) 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Active player
11 Derrick Brooks LB Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1995–2008) 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 2014
11 Brett Favre QB Atlanta Falcons (1991)
Green Bay Packers (1992–2007)
New York Jets (2008)
Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)		 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009 2016
11 Bob Lilly DT Dallas Cowboys (1961–1974) 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 1980
11 Tom Mack G Los Angeles Rams (1966–1978) 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978 1999
11 Gino Marchetti DE Dallas Texans (1953)
Baltimore Colts (1953–1966)		 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964 1972
11 Anthony Muñoz OT Cincinnati Bengals (1980–1992) 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 1998
11 Jonathan Ogden OT Baltimore Ravens (1996–2007) 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 2013
11 Willie Roaf OT New Orleans Saints (1993–2001)
Kansas City Chiefs (2002–2005)		 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 2012
11 Bruce Smith DE Buffalo Bills (1985–1999)
Washington Redskins (2000–2003)		 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 2009
11 Rod Woodson CB Pittsburgh Steelers (1987–1996)
San Francisco 49ers (1997)
Baltimore Ravens (1998–2001)
Oakland Raiders (2002–2003)		 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 2009
10 Joe Greene DT Pittsburgh Steelers (1969–1981) 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979 1987
10 Ronnie Lott S San Francisco 49ers (1981–1990)
Los Angeles Raiders (1991–1992)
New York Jets (1993–1994)
Kansas City Chiefs (1995)		 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 2000
10 Leo Nomellini DT San Francisco 49ers (1950–1963) 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961 1969
10 Mel Renfro S Dallas Cowboys (1964–1977) 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 1996
10 Jim Ringo C Green Bay Packers (1953–1963)
Philadelphia Eagles (1964–1967)		 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967 1981
10 Barry Sanders RB Detroit Lions (1989–1998) 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 2004
10 Joe Schmidt LB Detroit Lions (1953–1965) 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963 1973
10 Mike Singletary LB Chicago Bears (1981–1992) 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 1998
10 Lawrence Taylor LB New York Giants (1981–1993) 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 1999
10 Johnny Unitas QB Baltimore Colts (1956–1972)
San Diego Chargers (1973)		 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967 1979
10 Jason Witten TE Dallas Cowboys (2003–present) 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 Active player

Television

Blackout policy

The Pro Bowl is still subject to the NFL's blackout policies, requiring the game to be blacked out within 75 miles of the stadium site if the game does not sell out all of the stadium's seats.[33][34] For games in Hawaii, this blackout radius covers the entire state (and, because the nearest television outlets are in California and American Samoa, both thousands of miles away, the blackout covers thousands of additional miles beyond the traditional 75-mile radius as well).

Criticism

Lack of quality

For decades, the Pro Bowl has been criticized as a glamour event more than a football game. This is due to two causes: the voluntary nature of the game, and the fear of player injury.

While players are financially compensated for participating in the Pro Bowl, for a star player, the pay can be less than 1% of their salary. Many star players have excused themselves from participation over the years, meaning that the very best players are not necessarily featured. Not having the best players in the Pro Bowl was exacerbated by the introduction of fan voting (see section below).

Another criticism of the game is that the players—particularly on defense—are not playing "full speed". This is because player injury plays a much greater part in a team's success in the NFL as compared to the other major American sports. For this reason, unlike the NBA, NHL, and MLB (which host their all-star events as a mid-season break), the Pro Bowl was historically held after the completion of the season and playoffs. This means that a player injured in the Pro Bowl would have at least six months to rehab before the next season begins. However, starting in 2010, the Pro Bowl was moved from the week after the Super Bowl to the week before the Super Bowl. Because of the above-noted fear of injury, players from the two teams participating in the Super Bowl were banned from participation, meaning that the absence of star players was only increased.

With the dearth of stars making the game the subject of much derision (SI.com refused to even include one pre-game story on the event in 2012), the players on the field appear to be taking it less seriously as well. In the 2012 game, the lack of defensive effort was apparent, not only to anyone watching, but to anyone who saw the score of 100 points. One NFL player watching the said, "They probably should have just put flags on them,"[35] indicating that the quality was about on the level of flag football. Commissioner Roger Goodell stated that the game needed to improve, otherwise it would be eliminated.[36][37] It is worth noting that entire teams have declined to participate after losing the conference championship, like the 2015 New England Patriots, who had 7 starters on the Pro Bowl roster. This, among other factors, caused the 2016 Pro Bowl to be more of a game displaying emerging players, with a record of 133 players selected overall including those who were absent, and ended up including rookie QB Jameis Winston instead of recognized veterans Tom Brady and Carson Palmer, who were both in the conversation for the 2015 NFL season MVP before losing in the conference finals.[38]

Selection process

Fan voting has increased criticism of the Pro Bowl. Voting by fans makes up 1/3 of the vote for Pro Bowl players. Some teams earn more selections of their players because fans often vote for their favorite team and not necessarily the best player. In the 2008 Pro Bowl, the Dallas Cowboys had thirteen players on the NFC roster, an NFL record. "If you're in a small market, no one really gets to see you play," said Minnesota Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield, who spent much of his early career with the small-market Buffalo Bills. "If you're a quiet guy, it's hard to get the attention. You just have to work hard and play." Winfield made the Pro Bowl in 2008 after ten seasons of being shut out.[39]

The player voting has also been subject to significant criticism. It is not uncommon for players to pick the same players over and over again; former offensive lineman (and SI.com analyst) Ross Tucker has cited politics, incumbency, personal vendettas, and compensation for injury in previous years as primary factors in players' choices. Thus, players who have seen their play decline with age can still be perennially elected to the Pro Bowl due to their popularity among other players, something particularly common among positions such as the offensive line, where few statistics are available.[40] For example, in 2010, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs admitted voting for Ryan Fitzpatrick (then the backup quarterback of the Buffalo Bills) over eventual league most valuable player Tom Brady not because he thought Fitzpatrick was the better player but as a vote of disrespect toward Brady's team, the New England Patriots.[41]

Some players have had a surprisingly small number of Pro Bowl selections despite distinguished careers. Hall of Fame running back John Riggins was selected only once in his career from 1971 to 1985. He was not selected in the year where he set the record for rushing touchdowns in a season and his team made it to the Super Bowl (though he did make the All-Pro team). Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Nitschke only made the Pro Bowl once, despite being named All-Pro seven times and being the MVP of the 1962 NFL Championship Game. Defensive back Ken Riley never made the Pro Bowl in his 15 seasons, even though he recorded 65 interceptions, the fourth-highest total in NFL history at the time of his retirement. Former Jacksonville Jaguars halfback Fred Taylor, who is 15th in all-time rushing yards, was elected to his only Pro Bowl in 2007, despite averaging 4.6 yards per carry for his career, better than all but five running backs ranked in the top 30 in all-time rushing.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "NFL Pro Bowl Series - NFL.com". NFL Pro Bowl Series - NFL.com. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  2. ↑ "Goodell: Pro Bowl may not continue in current format". NFL.com. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  3. ↑ Fletcher, Dan (January 29, 2010). "Is the NFL Pro Bowl Broken?". Time. Retrieved January 31, 2011. While the Pro Bowl managed to sell out Dolphins Stadium, the game usually pulls down mediocre TV ratings; it's the only major all-star game that draws lower ratings than regular-season matchups.
  4. ↑ Finn, Chad (February 1, 2013). "Pro Bowl may be mocked, but it's popular". Boston Globe. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  5. ↑ "NFC reels in five picks to throttle AFC in Pro Bowl". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 30, 2011. Retrieved January 31, 2011. The NFC's 55-41 victory, a game not nearly as interesting as that score would indicate, did nothing to repair the tattered image of the NFL's all-star contest.
  6. 1 2 "Brandon Marshall catches Pro Bowl-record 4 TDs in AFC's win". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 30, 2012. Archived from the original on January 30, 2012.
  7. ↑ Crawford, Fred R. (1990). "The First Pro Bowl Game" (PDF). The Coffin Corner 12 (4). Archived from the original on January 31, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2012. External link in |journal= (help)
  8. ↑ Gill, Bob (1983). "The Best Of The Rest: Part One" (PDF). The Coffin Corner 5 (11). Archived from the original on January 31, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2012. External link in |journal= (help)
  9. 1 2 3 "Pro Bowl game approved by National Grid League". The Palm Beach Post. AP. June 4, 1950. p. 21. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  10. ↑ Hofmann, Sarah. "NFL commissioner may axe Pro Bowl". The Daily Caller. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  11. ↑ Players defend Pro Bowl after 62-35 NFC win. Associated Press. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Associated Press (July 31, 2013). "NFL Pro Bowl rosters to be determined by draft". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  13. ↑ http://nflcommunications.com/2014/04/09/2015-pro-bowl-to-be-played-in-arizona-2016-pro-bowl-slated-for-hawaii/
  14. ↑ "2015 Pro Bowl to be Played in Arizona; 2016 Pro Bowl Slated for Hawaii". National Football League. April 9, 2014. Archived from the original on April 9, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  15. ↑ Marvez, Alex (March 23, 2015). "NFL considering Brazil to host 2017 Pro Bowl". Fox Sports. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  16. ↑ Brady, James. "NFL exploring Mexico, Germany and other markets to host games". SB Nation. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  17. ↑ "Marchibroda, Knox Pro Bowl Coaches". Tampa Bay Times. December 28, 1977. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Parcells Needs Rest, Passes on Pro Bowl". LA Times. January 27, 1999. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  19. ↑ Wyche, Steve (December 28, 2009). "Pro Bowl selections, like game itself, will have new wrinkles". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved January 11, 2010.
  20. ↑ "All-Time Results". 2011 NFL Pro Bowl Official Game Program (NFL Publishing): 191–92. 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
  21. ↑ "2011 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl Facts and Figures". Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  22. ↑ "2011 Pro Bowl: Time, Announcers, Rosters And More For NFL's All-Star Event". Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  23. 1 2 Corbett, Jim (February 11, 2008). "Peterson helps NFC roar back for Pro Bowl crown". USA Today. Retrieved October 20, 2008.
  24. ↑ Fitzgerald, Matt. "NFL". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  25. ↑ Percy, Ethan (October 8, 2013). "New NFL Pro Bowl Uniforms Look More Like Oregon Vs. Oklahoma State". B'more2Boston. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
  26. ↑ "Giants Beat Stars; Ward Cuff Is Hero". Milwaukee Journal. UP. January 16, 1939. p. L-7. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  27. ↑ "The 1952 Pro Bowl". Retrieved October 20, 2008.
  28. 1 2 3 4 Saturday game
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 Monday night game
  30. ↑ Filled in for then-Jets head coach Bill Parcells
  31. ↑ http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/image/history/pdfs/Records/Pro_Bowl_Recs_2011.pdf
  32. ↑ Molloy, Tim and Lucas Shaw (September 8, 2011). 'Monday Night Football' to Remain on ESPN Through 2021. The Wrap. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  33. ↑ "NFL lifts TV blackout as Pro Bowl nears sell out". The Seattle Times. Seattle, WA, USA: The Seattle Times Company. 2009-02-07. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
  34. ↑ Pro Bowl Blackout Date Extended (KHOU-TV)
  35. ↑ "Keisel on Pro Bowl: They "should have just put flags" on players". Profootballtalk.com. January 30, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
  36. ↑ . Sports Illustrated https://web.archive.org/web/20120208051308/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/nfl/02/05/roger.goodell.pro.bowl.criticism.ap/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a3&eref=sihp. Archived from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2012. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  37. ↑ "Roger Goodell indicates Pro Bowl's future in doubt". National Football League. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
  38. ↑ http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/197015/2016-nfl-pro-bowl-most-declined-invitation-in-history
  39. ↑ Hill, Jemele (December 9, 2008). "Take away the fan vote". ESPN. Retrieved December 12, 2008.
  40. ↑ Tucker, Ross. NFL Pro Bowl voting among players should be consistent. SI.com
  41. ↑ Terrell Suggs: Teams hate Patriots. ESPN.com. Retrieved February 27, 2013.

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