Pro Bowl Fail

In every league it seems there is an all-star game. It seems to be an unwritten rule. These are games for the fans, by the fans. In the NBA, MLB, and most other leagues these games are usually enjoyable exhibitions. NBA all-star weekend is a huge event complete with everything from the dunk contest (which I'm sure will be a topic on this blog later), to the rookie challenge, to the all-star game itself. The MLB has the home run derby and the game itself determines home field advantage in the world series. All of this seems pretty benign right? Well, that's because the NBA and MLB have a clue how to run these things. The NFL? Not so much.

The NFL Pro Bowl used to come the week after the Super Bowl and almost no players wanted to come. This year, the NFL has a new plan: let's make it the week before the Super Bowl! Not only that, but now players from the Colts and the Saints are being required by the NFL to fly to the Pro Bowl not even to play. No, the high and mighty NFL in all its wisdom is making players who should be getting ready mentally and physically for the biggest game of the year show up at the Pro Bowl just to make an appearance. This is beyond idiotic. The all-star games in other leagues work because they are in mid-season and there is some incentive for athletes to participate. The Pro Bowl is an afterthought and usually not even watchable.

What's the answer? Call me crazy but I think the Pro Bowl should be eliminated altogether. It's a waste of time and it comes after the Super Bowl so it also seems anti-climactic. Let the players who have worked so hard to get to the Super Bowl be with their teams, get ready for the circus of Super Bowl week, and, if necessary, get healthy. The Pro Bowl is a shameless attempt by the NFL to make more money. The NFL is loaded with cash so making players participate in an exhibition game just to please sponsors is absurd. The only thing dumber would be charging fans for pre-season games. Oops! The NFL is already ripping fans off that way too.