Every professional sport has an All-Star Game. The NFL is no different, but their Pro-Bowl is only football by definition. For much too long the game has been lackluster and nothing more than a glorified time waster. This year's 32-28 victory by Team Irvin was no exception. Here are a few ways that the Pro-Bowl can be improved with optimal pleasure for players and fans alike:
Hold The Pro-Bowl midway through the season : Every other professional sport has it's All Star festivities during its season. The biggest gripe about this scenario is that "players might get hurt". Players can get hurt at any point. Some get hurt during a game, and like Detroit Lions TE Joseph Fauria, some get hurt at home playing with a puppy. As previously mentioned, all of the other sports play their All-Star games midway through the season. It has been no secret that the NFL wants to add a couple of regular season games soon. The Pro-Bowl during week 9 or 10 would act as an extra bye week to anyone not participating, therefore possibly making the NFLPA more receptive to adding more games. Pro-Bowl in Pittsburgh or Dallas anyone?
Rotating Site Each Year : No one is trying to deny the beauty that is Honululu, but nothing is the polar opposite of football than grass skirts and sunshine. The NBA, NHL, and MLB All-Star games are held at a different site each year. The NFL should not be any different. Holding the game week 9 or 10 will still make cold-weather cities great destinations as the winter is not upon us at that point.
Million Dollar M.V.P. Bonus : If you want to see the best of the best, you have to include some kind of incentive. Nobody can imagine Michael Jordan, Cal Ripken Jr., or Wayne Gretzky declining an invite to the All-Star game. A bonus of $1 million dollars wouldn't guarantee that everyone participate, but it might be the deal breaker. It could even turn into a great story. Randall Cobb (WR - Green Bay Packers) made $812,648 this past season, but could have eclipsed that in one game.
AFC vs. NFC : As amusing as it may be to hear a couple of hall of famers (this year the teams were Cris Carter vs. Michael Irvin) talk jive while drafting their teams, it is unnecessary and gives the theme of a pick-up football game. Bring back NFC vs. AFC. Maybe even take a page out of the MLB and award the winning conference home-field advantage in the Super Bowl, negating the coin flip.
Skills Challenge : The NBA has it's dunk contest and 3pt. shooting contest. Major League Baseball has the Home Run Derby. Bring back a QB challenge or Wide Receiver challenge. Can you imagine how exciting it would be to see Odell Beckham Jr. and Calvin Johnson squaring off while catching crazy passes? Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady throwing the football?
There are many ways to renew interests in the Pro-Bowl. The NFL, as it seems, has given up trying to make this a football game, regardless of what the fans actually want.