Pro Bowl

Pro Bowl National Football League All-Star Game (1939–1942) Pro Bowl (1951–2022) Pro Bowl Games (2023–present)
Frequency	Annual
Location(s)	Varies (see text)
Inaugurated	1939
Previous event	February 4, 2024 (Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida)
Next event	February 2, 2025 (Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida)
Participants	American Football Conference National Football Conference
Organized by	National Football League
Website	probowl.com

The National Football League All-Star Game (1939–1942), Pro Bowl (1951–2022), or Pro Bowl Games (since 2023) is an annual event held by the National Football League (NFL) featuring the league's star players.

The format has changed throughout the years. Between 1939 and 1942, the NFL experimented with all-star games pitting the league's champion against a team of all-stars. The first official Pro Bowl was played in January 1951, matching the top players in the American/Eastern Conference against those in the National/Western Conference. From the merger with the rival American Football League (AFL) in 1970 up through 2013 and also in 2017, 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). From 2014 through 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.

For years, the game suffered from lack of interest for its perceived low quality, with observers and commentators expressing their disfavor with it. It drew lower television ratings than regular season NFL games, although the game drew similar ratings to the all-star games of the other major North American sports leagues, such as the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. However, the biggest concern was to avoid injuries to the star players. The Associated Press wrote that players in the 2012 game were "hitting each other as though they were having a pillow fight". Despite these criticisms, however, players who were selected to the Pro Bowl were nonetheless honored in a similar standing to their counterparts in the other leagues, and being named to it is considered to be a significant accomplishment for any player. In September 2022, the NFL announced that the Pro Bowl game would switch to a non-contact flag football game in 2023, as well as a partnership with Peyton Manning's Omaha Productions to revamp Pro Bowl week as the "Pro Bowl Games".

Unlike the other major North American sports leagues, which hold their all star weekends roughly midway through their regular seasons, the NFL has held theirs at or near the end of NFL season. Before the merger, the game was played annually after the NFL Championship Game. Between 1970 and 2009, the Pro Bowl was usually held the weekend after the Super Bowl. From 2010 to 2022, it was played on the Sunday before the Super Bowl and since 2023, it was played on the first Thursday and first Sunday of February; as a result, players from the two teams competing in the Super Bowl will not participate.

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. 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. 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. 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. 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 (a decision probably due to increasingly low Nielsen ratings from being regarded as an anti-climax to the Super Bowl). With the new rule being 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. 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". 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 would 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).

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. The game returned to Hawaii in 2016, and the "unconferenced" format was its last.

For 2017, the league considered hosting the game at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which would have been the first time the game had been hosted outside the United States. The NFL was also considering future Pro Bowls in Mexico and Germany to leverage international markets. 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. On June 1, 2016, the league announced that it was restoring the old conference format.

Since the 2017 Pro Bowl, the NFL has also hosted a series of side events leading up to the game called the Pro Bowl Skills Showdown, which includes competitions like passing contests and dodgeball among the players.

The 2021 Pro Bowl game was canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic, and new host Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas was held over to the 2022 Pro Bowl. The roster was still voted on and named, and alternative broadcast and streaming events were held during the week of the game.

In May 2022, Commissioner Roger Goodell questioned the future of the Pro Bowl, arguing that it "doesn't work", and that "another way to celebrate the players" was needed. On September 26, 2022, it was announced that the NFL would host the 2023 event as "The Pro Bowl Games"—in partnership with Peyton Manning's Omaha Productions—which will replace the culminating event with a flag football game.

Player selection

See also: List of Pro Bowl players

Jeremiah Trotter tackling Ladainian Tomlinson during the 2006 Pro Bowl in Hawaii

Players are voted into the Pro Bowl by the coaches, the players themselves, and the fans. Each group's ballots count for ⅓, or 33.3%, of the votes. Fans vote on their preferred players at NFL.com. Replacements are selected should any selected player be unable to play for injuries, self-withdrawal, or Super Bowl contention. 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. Since 2010, players of the two teams that advance to the Super Bowl will not play in the Pro Bowl, and they are replaced by alternate players. Players who would have been invited as an alternate but could not play because they were slated to play in that season's Super Bowl are also considered Pro Bowlers (for example, Tom Brady in 2016).

From 2014 to 2016, players did not play according to conference; instead, they were placed in a draft pool and chosen by team captains.

Coaching staff

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. 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 for health reasons and Jets assistant head coach Bill Belichick took his place.

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 to 1982. It remained that way through 2013; it resumed 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. 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 for illness.)

After changing to the Pro Bowl Games format in 2022, Manningcast hosts Peyton Manning and Eli Manning served as the "honorary" coaches for the AFC and NFC respectively. Peyton spent his entire playing career exclusively in the AFC with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, while Eli played his whole career with the New York Giants in the NFC.

Game honors

Kyle Rudolph with the Pro Bowl MVP trophy in 2013.

A Player of the Game was honored 1951–1956. 1957–1971, 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 thrice this award has been presented to multiple players in a single game). In 2008 the award was changed to Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Players are paid for participating in the game with the winning team receiving a larger payout. The chart below shows how much the players of their respective teams earn:

Years	Winners	Losers
2011/2013	$50,000	$25,000
2012	$65,000	$40,000
2014	$53,000	$26,000
2015/2016	$55,000	$28,000
2017	$61,000	$30,000
2018	$64,000	$32,000
2019	$67,000	$39,000
2020	$74,000	$37,000
2022–23	$84,000	$42,000
2024	TBA

Rule differences

Although there is no official rule against tackling, the players in the Pro Bowl have come to a gentlemen's agreement to do little if any tackling. On the vast majority of plays, the ball carrier either gives up as soon as a defensive player grabs him, or goes out of bounds to avoid contact. In that sense it is essentially a two-hand touch football game. A future ban on tackling and contact is being considered.

In addition to the above, the Pro Bowl does have different rules from regular NFL games to make the game safer with a view towards incorporating some of these rules to future NFL regular season games.

• No motion or shifting by the offense
• Offense must have a running back and tight end in all formations
• Offense may have up to three receivers on the same side
• Intentional grounding is legal
• No rushing the passer
• More than one forward pass thrown on the same play is allowed
• Defense must run a 4–3 at all times, though the Cover 2 and press coverage is allowed
• No blitz; DEs and tackles can rush on passing plays, provided they are on same side of ball
• No blindside or below the waist blocks
• No rushing the punter
• No rushing the kicker
• No rushing the holder
• Coin toss determines who receives first; loser receives to start third period. Procedure repeats at the start of first overtime.
• Kickoffs are eliminated (including free kicks)
• Punt returns are eliminated by the automatic fair catch
• Teams will start on their own 25-yard line after any score or at the start of each half/odd overtime
• If a team that would otherwise be kicking off wants to attempt to retain possession (situations where an onside kick would be attempted if there were kickoffs), they may run a single scrimmage play from their own 25-yard line; should the ball be advanced 15 yards forward, the team retains possession
• Receivers may flinch or raise either foot without incurring penalty
• 35-second play clock to run plays
• Deep middle safety must be aligned within hash marks
• Replay reviews are allowed
• 44-player roster per team
• Two-minute warning in effect for all quarters, plus overtime
• Game clock runs on incompletions except at two minutes left in half or overtime period
• Very limited contact is allowed much like touch football, provided the ball carrier is surrounded by opponents

In case of a tie after regulation, multiple 15-minute OT periods will be played (with each team receiving two time outs per period), and in the first overtime teams receive one possession to score unless one of them scores a safety on its first possession. True sudden death rules apply thereafter if both teams have had their initial possession and the game remains tied. The Pro Bowl is not allowed to end in a tie, unlike preseason and regular season games. (In general, beyond the first overtime, whoever scores first wins. The first overtime starts as if the game had started over, like the NFL Playoffs.)

2023 and hereafter has a flag football game which is a 50-yard by 28-yard field (like arena football), seven players on field per team, two 10-minute halves, 15-minute halftime, plus multiple best-of-three round plays from the 5-yard line for 1 point or 10-yard line for two points, from double overtime hereafter, championship game only. In overtime, no matter if a touchdown is scored or not, teams get one possession. If the teams are tied after one possession, true sudden death rules apply hereafter. No punts due to short field.

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. However, the players do wear the helmet of their respective 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.

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. 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. Beginning with the 1979 game, players wore the helmets of their respective teams.

Two players with the same number who were elected to the Pro Bowl could wear the same number for that game, which 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.

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 would not be used for the 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. 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.

Since 2017, when the conference format was restored, the league took an approach similar to the NFL Color Rush initiative, in which jerseys, pants, and socks were all a uniform color (red for the AFC, blue for the NFC).

With the switch to the Pro Bowl Games format in 2023, players are no longer required to wear standard football uniforms, helmets and pads. Instead they wore red (for AFC) or blue (for NFC) shirts and either gray shorts or pants. Some players would also wear caps as headgear and compression tights.

Game results

NFL All-Star Games (1938–1942)

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	15,000	AS: Ray Flaherty (Washington) and Gus Henderson (Detroit) NYG: Steve Owen
1939	January 14, 1940	Green Bay Packers 16, NFL All-Stars 7	Gilmore Stadium	18,000	AS: Steve Owen (New York) GB: Curly Lambeau
1940	December 29, 1940	Chicago Bears 28, NFL All-Stars 14	Gilmore Stadium	21,624	AS: Ray Flaherty (Washington) CHI: George Halas
1941	January 4, 1942	Chicago Bears 35, NFL All-Stars 24	Polo Grounds	17,725	AS: Steve Owen (New York) CHI: George Halas
1942	December 27, 1942	NFL All-Stars 17, Washington Redskins 14	Shibe Park	18,671	AS: Hunk Anderson (Chicago Bears) WAS: Ray Flaherty
No game was played from 1943 to 1950.

NFL Pro Bowls (1950–1969)

Season	Date	Score	Series	Most Valuable Players	Venue	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	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	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, Baltimore Colts	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, Minnesota Vikings Lineman: Terry Barr, Detroit Lions	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	60,598	EC: Blanton Collier, Cleveland WC: Don Shula, Baltimore	NBC
1965	January 16, 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 (1970–2012)

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	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	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	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	66,918	AFC: John Madden, Oakland NFC: Tom Landry, Dallas	NBC
1974	January 20, 1975	NFC, 17–10	AFC, 3–2	James Harris, Rams, Quarterback	Miami Orange Bowl	26,484	AFC: John Madden, Oakland NFC: Chuck Knox, Los Angeles	ABC
1975	January 26, 1976	NFC, 23–20	Tied, 3–3	Billy Johnson, Oilers, Kick returner	Louisiana Superdome	30,546	AFC: John Madden, Oakland NFC: Chuck Knox, Los Angeles	ABC
1976	January 17, 1977	AFC, 24–14	AFC, 4–3	Mel Blount, Steelers, Cornerback	The Kingdome	64,752	AFC: Chuck Noll, Pittsburgh NFC: Chuck Knox, Los Angeles	ABC
1977	January 23, 1978	NFC, 14–13	Tied, 4–4	Walter Payton, Bears, Running back	Tampa Stadium	51,337	AFC: Ted Marchibroda, Baltimore NFC: Chuck Knox, Los Angeles	ABC
1978	January 29, 1979	NFC, 13–7	NFC, 5–4	Ahmad Rashad, Vikings, Wide receiver	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	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	50,075	AFC: Bill Belichick, 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	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	50,128	AFC: Jon Gruden, Oakland NFC: Dennis Green, Minnesota	ABC
2001	February 9, 2002	AFC, 38–30	Tied, 16–16	Rich Gannon, Raiders, Quarterback	Aloha Stadium	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	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	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	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	50,190	AFC: Mike Shanahan, Denver NFC: John Fox, Carolina	ESPN
2006	February 10, 2007	AFC 31–28	AFC, 19–18	Carson Palmer, Bengals, Quarterback	Aloha Stadium	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	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	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	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	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	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	47,134	AFC: John Fox, Denver NFC: Mike McCarthy, Green Bay	NBC

Unconferenced Pro Bowls (2013–2015)

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	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	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	50,000	Irvin: Winston Moss, Green Bay Rice: Andy Reid, Kansas City

AFC–NFC Pro Bowls (2016–2022)

Season	Date	Score	Series	Most Valuable Player(s)	Venue	Attendance	Head coaches	Network
2016	January 29, 2017	AFC 20–13	Tied, 22–22	Offensive: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs, Tight end Defensive: Lorenzo Alexander, Buffalo Bills, Linebacker	Camping World Stadium	60,834	AFC: Andy Reid, Kansas City NFC: Jason Garrett, Dallas	ESPN
2017	January 28, 2018	AFC 24–23	AFC, 23–22	Offensive: Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans, Tight end Defensive: Von Miller, Denver Broncos, Linebacker	Camping World Stadium	51,019	AFC: Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh NFC: Sean Payton, New Orleans	ESPN/ABC
2018	January 27, 2019	AFC 26–7	AFC, 24–22	Offensive: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs, Quarterback Defensive: Jamal Adams, New York Jets, Safety	Camping World Stadium	57,875	AFC: Anthony Lynn, L.A. Chargers NFC: Jason Garrett, Dallas	ESPN/ABC/Disney XD
2019	January 26, 2020	AFC 38–33	AFC, 25–22	Offensive: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens, Quarterback Defensive: Calais Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars, Defensive end	Camping World Stadium	54,024	AFC: John Harbaugh, Baltimore NFC: Pete Carroll, Seattle	ESPN/ABC/Disney XD
2020	January 31, 2021	NFC 32–12	AFC, 25–23	Kyler Murray, Arizona, Quarterback	N/A (Game played in Madden NFL 21 controlled by teams of NFL players, alumni, and celebrity guests due to COVID-19)			YouTube
2021	February 6, 2022	AFC 41–35	AFC, 26–23	Offensive: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers, Quarterback Defensive: Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders, Defensive end	Allegiant Stadium	56,206	AFC: Mike Vrabel, Tennessee NFC: Matt LaFleur, Green Bay	ESPN/ABC/Disney XD

Pro Bowl Games (2023–present)

Season	Date	Score	Series	Most Valuable Player(s)	Venue	Attendance	Head coaches	Network
2022	February 5, 2023	NFC 35–33	AFC, 26–24	N/A	Allegiant Stadium	58,331	AFC: Peyton Manning NFC: Eli Manning	ESPN/ABC/Disney XD
2023	February 4, 2024	NFC 64–59	AFC, 26–25	Offensive: Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay, Quarterback Defensive: Demario Davis, New Orleans, Linebacker	Camping World Stadium	55,709	AFC: Peyton Manning NFC: Eli Manning	ESPN/ABC/Disney XD

Stadiums that have hosted the Pro Bowl

• Wrigley Field (1939)
• Gilmore Stadium (January and December 1940)
• Polo Grounds (January 1942)
• Shibe Park (December 1942)
• Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (1951–1972, 1979)
• Texas Stadium (1973)
• Arrowhead Stadium (1974)
• Miami Orange Bowl (1975)
• Louisiana Superdome (1976)
• Kingdome (1977)
• Tampa Stadium (1978)
• Aloha Stadium (1980–2009, 2011–2014, 2016)
• Sun Life Stadium (2010)
• University of Phoenix Stadium (2015)
• Camping World Stadium (2017–2020, 2024)
• Allegiant Stadium (2022–2023)

Records

Main article: NFL Pro Bowl records

Players with most invitations

As of the 2024 Pro Bowl, 29 players have been invited to at least 11 Pro Bowls in their careers. Except for those that are current active or not yet eligible, each of these players have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. With his selection in the 2022 Pro Bowl, quarterback Tom Brady has the all-time invitations record at 15. Of currently active players, offensive lineman Trent Williams has the most Pro Bowl invitations with 11.

Pro Bowls	Player	Pos	Seasons by team	Selection years	Year of induction into Hall of Fame
15	Tom Brady	QB	New England Patriots (2000–2019) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–2022)	2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009–2018, 2021	Eligible in 2028
14	Tony Gonzalez	TE	Kansas City Chiefs (1997–2008) Atlanta Falcons (2009–2013)	1999–2008, 2010–2013	2019
	Peyton Manning	QB	Indianapolis Colts (1998–2011) Denver Broncos (2012–2015)	1999, 2000, 2002–2010, 2012–2014	2021
	Bruce Matthews	G	Houston Oilers / Tennessee Oilers / Tennessee Titans (1983–2001)	1988–2001	2007
	Merlin Olsen	DT	Los Angeles Rams (1962–1976)	1962–1975	1982
13	Drew Brees	QB	San Diego Chargers (2001–2005) New Orleans Saints (2006–2020)	2004, 2006, 2008–2014, 2016–2019	Eligible in 2026
	Ray Lewis	LB	Baltimore Ravens (1996–2012)	1997–2001, 2003, 2004, 2006–2011	2018
	Jerry Rice	WR	San Francisco 49ers (1985–2000) Oakland Raiders (2001–2004) Seattle Seahawks (2004)	1986–1996, 1998, 2002	2010
	Reggie White	DE	Philadelphia Eagles (1985–1992) Green Bay Packers (1993–1998) Carolina Panthers (2000)	1986–1998	2006
12	Champ Bailey	CB	Washington Redskins (1999–2003) Denver Broncos (2004–2013)	2000–2007, 2009–2012	2019
	Ken Houston	S	Houston Oilers (1967–1972) Washington Redskins (1973–1980)	1968–1979	1986
	Randall McDaniel	G	Minnesota Vikings (1988–1999) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2000–2001)	1989–2000	2009
	Jim Otto	C	Oakland Raiders (1960–1974)	1961–1972	1980
	Junior Seau	LB	San Diego Chargers (1990–2002) Miami Dolphins (2003–2005) New England Patriots (2006–2009)	1991–2002	2015
	Will Shields	G	Kansas City Chiefs (1993–2006)	1995–2006	2015
11	Larry Allen	G	Dallas Cowboys (1994–2005) San Francisco 49ers (2006–2007)	1995–2001, 2003–2006	2013
	Derrick Brooks	LB	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1995–2008)	1997–2006, 2008	2014
	Brett Favre	QB	Atlanta Falcons (1991) Green Bay Packers (1992–2007) New York Jets (2008) Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)	1992, 1993, 1995–1997, 2001–2003, 2007–2009	2016
	Larry Fitzgerald	WR	Arizona Cardinals (2004–2020)	2005, 2007–2013, 2015–2017	Eligible in 2026
	Bob Lilly	DT	Dallas Cowboys (1961–1974)	1962, 1964–1973	1980
	Tom Mack	G	Los Angeles Rams (1966–1978)	1967–1975, 1977, 1978	1999
	Gino Marchetti	DE	Dallas Texans (1952) Baltimore Colts (1953–1964; 1966)	1954–1964	1972
	Anthony Muñoz	OT	Cincinnati Bengals (1980–1992)	1981–1991	1998
	Jonathan Ogden	OT	Baltimore Ravens (1996–2007)	1997–2007	2013
	Willie Roaf	OT	New Orleans Saints (1993–2001) Kansas City Chiefs (2002–2005)	1994–2000, 2002–2005	2012
	Bruce Smith	DE	Buffalo Bills (1985–1999) Washington Redskins (2000–2003)	1987–1990, 1992–1998	2009
	Trent Williams	OT	Washington Redskins (2010–2019) San Francisco 49ers (2020–present)	2012–2018, 2020−2023	Currently Playing
	Jason Witten	TE	Dallas Cowboys (2003–2017, 2019) Las Vegas Raiders (2020)	2004–2010, 2012–2014, 2017	Eligible in 2026
	Rod Woodson	CB	Pittsburgh Steelers (1987–1996) San Francisco 49ers (1997) Baltimore Ravens (1998–2001) Oakland Raiders (2002–2003)	1989–1994, 1996, 1999–2002	2009

Television

The Pro Bowl was originally broadcast on an alternative basis by CBS and NBC from 1971 to 1974, while the other network broadcast the Super Bowl. The game was then broadcast as part of the Monday Night Football package on ABC from 1975 to 1987. Sister network ESPN took it over as part of the ESPN Sunday Night Football package from 1988 to 1994. The game then returned to ABC for the 1995 through 2003 games. In the early 2000s, after suffering through several years of dwindling ratings ABC considered moving the game to Monday night, but the network instead decided to sell off the rights for the 2004–2006 games to ESPN.

For the 2007 to 2014 Pro Bowls, the network which aired the Super Bowl that season also aired 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 four years.

ESPN then began holding exclusive rights to the Pro Bowl starting in 2015. In 2018, the Pro Bowl returned to network television for the first time in four years as part of a joint ABC/ESPN simulcast (both sister networks are owned by The Walt Disney Company). Disney XD was added to the simulcast for 2019. The ESPN/ABC simulcasts of the game continued through 2022.

Throughout his broadcasting career, the late John Madden declined to be part of the announcing crew when his network carried the Pro Bowl for 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).

In conjunction with the Professional Bowlers Association, the Pro Bowl also sponsors a charity bowling tournament the occurs during the weekend leading up to the game. The tournament is open to all NFL players regardless of whether they have been selected to play in the Pro Bowl. Winners are announced at halftime, and are presented with a check in their name payable to their favorite charity.

Most watched Pro Bowls

Since 2000

Rank	Game	Date	Matchup				Network	Viewers (millions)	TV rating	Location
1	2011 Pro Bowl	January 29, 2011	AFC	41	NFC	55	Fox	13.4	7.7	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI
2	2000 Pro Bowl	February 6, 2000	AFC	31	NFC	51	ABC	13.2	8.6
3	2012 Pro Bowl	January 29, 2012	NFC	41	AFC	59	NBC	12.5	7.3
4	2010 Pro Bowl	January 31, 2010	AFC	41	NFC	34	ESPN	12.3	7.1	Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
5	2013 Pro Bowl	January 27, 2013	AFC	35	NFC	62	NBC	12.2	7.1	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI
6	2014 Pro Bowl	January 26, 2014	Team Rice	22	Team Sanders	21		11.4	6.6
7	2008 Pro Bowl	February 10, 2008	AFC	30	NFC	42	Fox	10.0	6.3
8	2003 Pro Bowl	February 2, 2003	NFC	23	AFC	45	ABC	9.1	5.9
9	2009 Pro Bowl	February 8, 2009	NFC	30	AFC	21	NBC	8.8	5.4
10	2015 Pro Bowl	January 25, 2015	Team Irvin	32	Team Carter	28	ESPN	8.8	5.1	University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ

Blackout policy

Prior to 2015, the Pro Bowl was still subject to the NFL's blackout policies, requiring the game to be blacked out within 75 miles (121 km) of the stadium site if the game does not sell out all of the stadium's seats. However, with the lifting of the NFL's blackout rules in 2015, the game can be shown within the host stadium regardless of attendance.

Criticism

Quality

For decades, the Pro Bowl has been criticized as a glamor event more than a football game. This is due to the voluntary nature of the game, the arbitrary voting process, 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 competing at the same level of intensity as they would during the regular season or the playoffs. 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 it. Because of the above-noted fear of injury, players from the two teams participating in the Super Bowl were banned from participation, thus increasing the absence of star players.

In the 2012 game, the lack of defensive effort was apparent, not only to anyone watching, but additionally evidenced by the combined score of 100 points. Brett Keisel, an NFL player watching the game said, "They probably should have just put flags on them," 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. It is worth noting that entire teams have declined to participate after losing the conference championship, like the 2015 New England Patriots, which had seven starters on the Pro Bowl roster. This, among other factors, caused the 2016 Pro Bowl to be more of a game featuring emerging players, with a record of 133 players selected overall (including those who were absent), and ended up including rookie quarterback 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 their respective conference finals. In 2022 and 2023, Josh Allen turned down invitations to the Pro Bowl in favor of playing in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament, decisions that he stated were to allow himself to recover from several minor injuries. In 2023, Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs called the event "stupid" and stated that he would prefer to go on vacation rather than play in the game. The event was set to be hosted in Las Vegas that year.

Selection process

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.

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 for their popularity among other players, something particularly common among positions such as the offensive line, where few statistics are available. 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.

Some players have had a surprisingly small number of Pro Bowl selections despite distinguished careers. Hall of Fame fullback John Riggins was selected only once in his career from 1971 to 1985. He was not selected in the year after which he set the record for rushing touchdowns in a season and his team made it to the Super Bowl (although 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. Aaron Smith made it to the Pro Bowl once in 13 years (2004) despite winning two Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers and being named to the Sports Illustrated 2000s All Decade Team and defensive teammates such as Troy Polamalu, Casey Hampton, and James Harrison being named to multiple Pro Bowls during his career; Smith would often be ranked as one of the NFL's most underrated players during his career.

See also

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

External links

• Official site
• The Complete History of the Pro Bowl
• The NFL's official website
• Online Fan Voting Ballot Archived 2008-09-17 at the Wayback Machine
• "Pro Bowl Game Books 1971–2011". NFL Game Statistics & Information System. National Football League. Archived from the original on November 15, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2012.