NFL replaces Pro Bowl with 'The Pro Bowl Games' featuring skill competitions, flag football game
The Pro Bowl will be undergoing a significant makeover, according to a report by The Associated Press.
The new event -- called "The Pro Bowl Games" -- will feature AFC and NFC players "showcasing their football and non-football skills in challenges over several days." The first Pro Bowl took place in 1951 and the 2023 Games will be held in Las Vegas, with the flag football contest taking place at Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 5.
Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and his Omaha Productions company will help "shape programming and promote the event's content throughout the week." Manning will also be a part of the coaching staff for the flag football game.
"The Pro Bowl is something that we've been looking at for a while, really continuing to evolve," NFL executive Peter O'Reilly told The Associated Press. "Coming out of last year's game, we really made the decision based on a lot of internal conversations, getting feedback from GMs and coaches, getting a lot of feedback from players. We think there's a real opportunity to do something wholly different here and move away from the traditional tackle football game. We decided the goal is to celebrate 88 of the biggest stars in the NFL in a really positive, fun, yet competitive way. ... The feedback very directly from guys who had been in the Pro Bowl recently was to keep the construct of the week, make sure you're having that multi-day element. It was overwhelmingly positive both from players as well as from clubs."
The NFL is planning to announce the new format later on Monday.
"The Pro Bowl has always been a time to step back and celebrate the game of football with teammates, fans, and family," Manning told the Associated Press. "I'm thankful I can continue to be part of the week as all of us at Omaha Productions work with the NFL to reimagine The Pro Bowl Games. Making Sunday's game a flag football game is great to see. Youth football has been extremely important to me, and knowing NFL FLAG will help grow this sport, I hope boys and girls can see themselves playing the same game as the best players in the world."
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