It’s been 30 years since the NFL held the Pro Bowl on the mainland, a game normally reserved for the tropical paradise of Hawaii. But the game returned to Miami in the rain amid a storm of complaints and criticism. Between the players and fans the game had mixed reviews.
The Pro Bowl, which has always been played the week after the Super Bowl was switched to the Sunday prior to the big game. The switch was a gamble but the NFL believes it paid off. Going up against the Grammys on prime-time television, the NFL All-Star game held its own in the ratings with 12.3 million viewers, the most ever, and an increase of over 39 percent from last year.
The change in the Pro Bowl venue and times did, however, create logistical nightmares for the league. Sixteen All-Stars on the Saints and Colts who will be playing in the Super Bowl could not play in the Pro Bowl. Having to replace those players, enthusiasts believe, also created a watered-down game that already is considered uncompetitive.
For the players, the game was a scoring fest with the AFC outscoring the NFC 41– 34 with Houston quarterback Matt Schaub getting MVP honors. Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb playing in his sixth Pro Bowl, performed an impromptu dance after one of his touchdown passes to teammate DeSean Jackson.
“It’s about the same (as Hawaii),” said McNabb. “Everyone’s here to have fun, that’s the most important thing. It’s an exciting time, no one’s trying to get hurt, but everybody’s trying to put on a show for the fans.”
The NFL’s experiment might have some lasting effects for the future of the game, but the odds are pretty good that the game will be moved back to Hawaii.
–lenn durant
Photo: Brandon Marshall and Chris Johnson
