Pro Bowl

Pro Bowl

The Pro Bowl Most Valuable Player trophy
First played	1951
Recent and upcoming games
2016 season
January 29, 2017 (Details)
2017 season
January 28, 2018 (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 and resumes in 2017, it is 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). Between 2014 and 2016, the NFL experimented with an unconferenced format, where the teams were selected by two honorary team captains (who are each in the Hall of Fame), instead of selecting players from each conference. The players were picked in a televised "schoolyard pick" prior to the game.^[1]

Unlike most major 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.

Observers and commentators expressed their disfavor with the Pro Bowl in its current state.^[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]

Between 1980 and 2016, the game was played at Aloha Stadium in Hawaii, save for two years. On June 1, 2016, the NFL announced that they reached a multi-year deal to move the game to Orlando, Florida as part of their ongoing efforts to make the game more relevant. For years, the game has suffered from lack of interest due to perceived low quality. The 2017 Pro Bowl will also mark a return to the AFC–NFC format.^[7][8]

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 Los Angeles Bulldogs and Hollywood Bears, who were not members of the league), was played on January 15, 1939 at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles.^[9][10] 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.^[11] 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 was not revived until June 1950, when the newly christened "Pro Bowl" was approved.^[11] 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.^[11] Immediately prior to the Pro Bowl, following the 1949 season, the All-America Football Conference, which contributed three teams to the NFL in a partial merger in 1950, held its own all-star game, the Shamrock Bowl.

The first 21 games of the series (1951–1972) were played in Los Angeles. 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."^[12][13] 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).^[14]

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.^[15] The game returned to Hawaii in 2016, and that the "unconferenced" format was its last.^[16]

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.^[17] 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.^[18] A report released May 19, 2016, indicated that the 2017 Pro Bowl would instead be hosted at a newly renovated Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida; Orlando beat out Brazil (which apparently did not make the final round of voting), Honolulu, Super Bowl host site Houston, and a bid from Sydney, Australia for the hosting rights.^[19] On June 1, 2016, the league announced that it is restoring to the old conference format.^[20]

Player selection

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.

From 2014 to 2016, players didn't play according to conference; instead, were placed in a draft pool and chosen by team captains.^[14] Starting 2017 players by conference are placed into separate draft pools and chosen by their team captains.

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.^[21] 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.^[22]

When the Pro Bowl was moved to the weekend between the Conference Championship games and the Super Bowl in 2009, 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 from 1978–1982. It remained that way through 2013; it resumes in 2017. 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.^[23] From 2014 to 2016, the Pro Bowl coaches came 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

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).^[24]

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.^[25][26]

• No motion or shifting by the offense
• Offense must have a tight end in all formations
• Offense may have 1 or 2 receivers on the same side
• Intentional grounding is legal
• Defense must run a 4–3 at all times, though the Cover 2 is permitted^[14]
• No press coverage except inside the 5-yard line
• No blitz
• Not allowed to rush a punt, PAT or FG attempt
• Two timeouts per period. If team has one unused timeout left over at end of the odd period they can carry over to next period; however they can't carry over from one half to next, nor from 4th period into first overtime.
• Teams trade possessions after each period (except at the start of 3rd period/3 OT, when the team that lost the coin toss has the choice to receive or defer to other team)
• Kickoffs are eliminated (including free kicks)^[14]
• Teams will start on their own 25-yard line after any score or at the start of each period^[14]
• 2-minute warning in every period
• 35-second play clock (rather than 40 seconds) to run plays
• Clock won't stop on sacks outside last 2 minutes of regulation/4th overtime
• Clock stops in last 2 minutes of each period when team with ball can't gain any yardage
• 43-player roster per team
• Clock starts after incompletions on referee's signal outside last 2 minutes of 2nd period/2 OT or last 5 minutes of 4th/4 OT

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

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.^[27]

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 was not used between 2014 through 2016, team 1 sported a white uniform with bright orange and team 2 sported a gray uniform with volt green.^[28] 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.^[29] Starting 2017 the AFC will use the bright orange & white uniforms; the NFC the gray & volt green ones.

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[30]	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

• 1943–1950 – No games

NFL Pro Bowls (1951–1970)

Season	Date	Score	Series	Most Valuable Players	Venue[31]	Attendance	Head coaches	Network
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[32]	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[32]	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	Network
1970	January 24, 1971	NFC, 27–6	NFC, 1–0	Lineman: Fred Carr, Packers Back: Mel Renfro, Cowboys	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles	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[33]	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[33]	NFC, 23–20	Tied, 3–3	Billy Johnson, Oilers, Kick returner	Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans	30,546	AFC: John Madden, Oakland NFC: Chuck Knox, Los Angeles	ABC
1976	January 17, 1977[33]	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[33]	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[33]	NFC, 13–7	NFC, 5–4	Ahmad Rashad, Vikings, Wide receiver	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles	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	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	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	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	49,883	AFC: Walt Michaels, New York Jets NFC: Tom Landry, Dallas	ABC
1983	January 29, 1984	NFC, 45–3	NFC, 9–5	Joe Theismann, Redskins, Quarterback	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	50,075	AFC: Bill Belichick,[34] 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	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	50,128	AFC: Jon Gruden, Oakland NFC: Dennis Green, Minnesota	ABC
2001	February 9, 2002[32]	AFC, 38–30	Tied, 16–16	Rich Gannon, Raiders, Quarterback	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu	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	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	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	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	50,190	AFC: Mike Shanahan, Denver NFC: John Fox, Carolina	ESPN
2006	February 10, 2007[32]	AFC 31–28	AFC, 19–18	Carson Palmer, Bengals, Quarterback	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu	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	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	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	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	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	47,134	AFC: John Fox, Denver NFC: Mike McCarthy, Green Bay	NBC

Unconferenced Pro Bowls (2014–2016)

Season	Date	Score	Most Valuable Player(s)	Venue	Attendance	Head coaches	Network
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	50,000	Irvin: Winston Moss, Green Bay Rice: Andy Reid, Kansas City

AFC–NFC Pro Bowls (2017–)

Season	Date	Score	Series	Most Valuable Player(s)	Venue	Attendance	Head coaches	Network
2016	January 29, 2017				Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida			ESPN

Stadiums that have hosted the Pro Bowl

• Wrigley Field, Los Angeles (1939)
• Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles (Jan and Dec 1940)
• Polo Grounds, New York (Jan 1942)
• Shibe Park, Philadelphia (Dec 1942)
• Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (1951–1972, 1979)
• Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas (1973)
• Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri (1974)
• Miami Orange Bowl (1975)
• Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans (1976)
• Kingdome, Seattle (1977)
• Tampa Stadium (1978)
• Aloha Stadium, Honolulu (1980–2009, 2011–2014, 2016)
• Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida (2010)
• University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona (2015)
• Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida (from 2017)

Records

• Jeff Blake holds the record for the longest completion: 93 yards.^[35]
• Peyton Manning (Colts/Broncos), Tony Gonzalez (Chiefs/Falcons), Merlin Olsen (Rams), and Bruce Matthews (Oilers/Titans) were each selected to 14 Pro Bowls, Olsen and Matthews in consecutive seasons. Olsen played in 14 consecutive Pro Bowls beginning his rookie year.
• In the 20 seasons prior to the AFL–NFL merger, the Western/National Conference won both the Pro Bowl and the NFL Championship game nine times, while the Eastern/American won both two times. In the years they have split, the East won the Pro Bowl and West won the NFL title five times, while the reverse has occurred four times. Also, in this era, the National/Western Conference won 13 of 20 games played against the American/Eastern Conference.
• In the 37 seasons since the AFL–NFL Merger, both conferences have swept the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl 9 times. In the 19 years they have split, the NFC has won the Super Bowl 10 times.
• Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts players have won seven MVP awards, more than any other team. Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams players have won six MVP Awards. Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings players have won five MVP awards. Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns players have won four MVP awards. 10 teams have won two, and 14 teams have won one each. The Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers have never had a player win an MVP award.
• Quarterbacks have won 16 MVP awards; wide receivers are second with eight.
• Only two AFC–NFC Pro Bowls have gone to overtime. Both have been won by the AFC in overtime with field goals.
• Due to the rescheduling of Super Bowl XXXVI in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the northeast United States on September 11, 2001, the 2002 game was moved from Sunday to the following Saturday, one week later.
• Sean Taylor was voted to the 2007/08 NFC Roster as a starter at free safety, shortly after he was fatally shot in his home by armed intruders. This was the first time in Pro Bowl history that a player was named as a Pro Bowler posthumously. The NFC took the field on defense for their first series with only 10 players on the field. He was later replaced by Roy Williams.^[27]
• John Madden, Tom Landry, and Andy Reid have coached in the most Pro Bowls (five each).
• Pittsburgh head coaches Bill Cowher and Chuck Noll have the most and second-most wins Pro Bowl history, respectively, with Cowher having four victories and Noll with three.
• The 2007–08 Dallas Cowboys have the most selections in one season with 13.
• The most points in a single game was 62, achieved by the NFC (2013). The 2004 Pro Bowl also featured the most points by the losing team (the AFC scored 52).
• Marshall Faulk and Adrian Peterson are the only rookies in NFL history to win both the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and the Pro Bowl's Most Valuable Player Award in the same season.
• In 2010, DeSean Jackson became the only player to be named to the Pro Bowl at two different positions in the same year (wide receiver and kick returner).
• In 2016, there was a new record set for fake punt completions with two. Also there were the most declined invitations ever, making 2016 the most players to be on the Pro Bowl teams.

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

• Under the current NFL television contract, in effect through the 2014 Pro Bowl, the network which airs the Super Bowl will air the Pro Bowl. The 2007 game on CBS was held on the Saturday after Super Bowl XLI because of the 49th Grammy Awards. The 2008 game was on Fox, broadcaster of Super Bowl XLII. Likewise, the 2009 game was on NBC, broadcaster of Super Bowl XLIII. CBS sold off their rights to the 2010 game to ESPN, which was played a week before the Super Bowl at the Super Bowl site, Sun Life Stadium. CBS also declined to broadcast the 2013 game, which was instead shown on NBC. The 2014 game, also shown on NBC, was the final Pro Bowl on network television for the foreseeable future, as exclusive broadcast rights move to ESPN in 2015.
• The Pro Bowl was originally broadcast on an alternative basis by CBS and NBC 1971–1974; the other network broadcast the Super Bowl. Later, the game was broadcast as part of the Monday Night Football package on ABC 1975–1987 and again 1995–2003. In 2004–2006, ABC sold its rights to the Pro Bowl to sister network ESPN (who had shown it 1988–1994). In those years, the ESPN Sunday Night Football crew covered the game.
• In the early 2000s, after suffering through several years of dwindling ratings ABC considered moving the game to Monday night. The idea was scrapped, however, when ABC decided to sell off the rights to sister network ESPN.
• Throughout his broadcasting career, John Madden declined to be part of the announcing crew when his network carried the Pro Bowl due to his aviatophobia and claustrophobia (a joke referencing both is made in the Madden NFL '97 video game before the beginning of the Pro Bowl in season mode, where Madden quips that he drove his "Madden Bus" to Hawaii, rather than flying). Until Madden's retirement from broadcasting after the 2009 Pro Bowl, it had only occurred twice: former San Diego Chargers quarterback and MNF personality Dan Fouts, whom Madden had replaced, took his place on ABC in 2003, and Cris Collinsworth took his place on NBC in 2009 (Collinsworth ended up replacing Madden permanently upon the latter's retirement).
• ESPN will hold exclusive rights to the Pro Bowl from 2015 through 2022.^[36]

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.^[37][38]

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 (Sports Illustrated website 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,"^[39] 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.^[40][41] 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.^[42]

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.^[43]

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 Sports Illustrated 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.^[44] 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.^[45]

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

• American Football League All-Star games
• All-America Football Conference All-Star Game
• List of Pro Bowl broadcasters
• Chicago College All-Star Game – a series played between an NFL team and a collegiate all-star team

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pro Bowl.

• Official site
• The Complete History of the Pro Bowl
• The NFL's official website
• Online Fan Voting Ballot
• "Pro Bowl Game Books 1971–2011". NFL Game Statistics & Information System. National Football League. Archived from the original on January 30, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2012.