2021 Pro Bowl to be played on 'Madden NFL 21'

The NFL confirmed that the 2021 Pro Bowl will be a virtual experience and conducted via "Madden NFL 21" due to concerns related to COVID-19.

According to Michael Rothstein of ESPN, next Sunday's exhibition between the AFC and NFC squads will feature disgruntled Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry, former NFL wide receiver and current ESPN analyst Keyshawn Johnson, and music icon Snoop Dogg representing the AFC. Meanwhile, Arizona Cardinals signal-caller Kyler Murray, Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams, former Seattle ball-carrier Marshawn Lynch and NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace will play as the NFC. 

Each individual will play one five-minute quarter. Exact head-to-head matchups will be announced at a later time. All eight will play from their homes.

"We'll be taking the Pro Bowl to the virtual world of Madden this weekend and I can't wait to do it big with football fans in my favorite game," Snoop Dogg said in a prepared statement shared by Rothstein. "I'm a Madden NFL star. So Kyler and Marshawn better watch out, my team is comin' in to win that championship title for the AFC."

ESPN and ABC will air a Pro Bowl celebration starting at 3 p.m. ET next Sunday. The virtual Pro Bowl will be streamed on the EA Madden NFL Twitch channel and the NFL's YouTube, Twitter and Facebook pages at 5 p.m. ET. NFL Network will broadcast the game at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday night and also at 12:30 a.m. Monday morning.