Is the Pro Bowl worthy to watch?

2013 Pro Bowl Game-Peyton Manning representing the AFC, and Adrian Peterson representing the NFC.

As the Pro Bowl is near, the constant debate remains. Should the Pro Bowl exist or be completely cancelled?

Last year, Roger Goodell wanted to cancel the Pro Bowl due to fans extremely upset with the play of these "pro bowlers". The term "pro bowl" means that these selected individuals were selected by fans and his peers that he was the best at his position: however, it seems to be more a popularity contest than actual ability. For instance, the teams that seem to be more victorious tend to have more players, but does that mean those players are better than teams with subpar records? No. I know at least four teams that do not have one player on the roster nor as an alternative. Why? If this is suppose to be exciting, by not having at least one player from each team on the "Pro Bowl" squad than it already eliminates certain fans to watch the game. I am not saying that each team needs a player to keep it interesting, but that would reduce the low television ranks.

The big issue with the pro bowl is the money and the incentives these players receive. The players want a bonus. It's one thing just to receive a bonus, but winning the pro bowl game allows that team to recieve more money on top of a nice trip Honolulu. It's a dream come true. Each pro bowler receives money and a nice vacation. If you were a player enjoying a nice vacation and receiving more money besides your regularly high pay check what is the purpose to play? The past few years, the pro bowl is infamous for players not trying to tackle or play hard because they fear injuries so the scoring is ridiculously high making it seem more of a walk through practice than an actual game.

Too bad this game lacks cockiness and attitude to be deemed the best of the best, not just a pro bowler. Why is football such a great sport? Camaraderie and hard hits make football enjoyable to watch.

The injured players or those players going to the super bowl are still paid despite them missing the action to unpredicted circumstances.

If the players do not care, why should we the viewers care?

The pro bowl use to be after the super bowl and it was a nice way to end the season. Imagine winning the super bowl and then seeing all the other greats on the same field at the same time. The last game of the 2012 season. Although the money seems to have the most power, more fans watched the pro bowl after the super bowl than before the super bowl and there was no issue with any player missing the pro bowl except those injured players.

I know the MLB, NBA all have mid-year all-star games, which I think is ludicrous since some athletes emerge after the break where others dwindle. Does the "best" no longer have meaning? Or are all these games just to make more money.

If the latter, why do we watch them? What perks does it have on the viewers? In the Baseball All-star game, it determines home field advantage in the world series, which means that All Star game holds a purpose for the baseball season. Again, I think the team with the best record should have home field advantage since these players playing in the mid-season game won't necessarily remain consistent statistically.

If everything is based off of luck or mid-season form, what is the purpose of these all-star games? MONEY!

I think it is essential to recognize those athletes that had remarkable seasons and its great seeing them with those other greats as well, but is there something we can change in order for ball players to take the game seriously and us the viewers to actually enjoy the game?

I think the best solution is having all the all-star games at the end of the year where the winning team is the only team to receive a bonus. Let's face it, these athletes already receive incentives for winning MVP of the league, or best defender, and this way we are making them play to earn his bonus.

Even the olympians love being in the olympics, but it is never enough for them. To win a gold medal puts those athletes on elite status of the world and sets themselves apart from the rest of the olympians, so why not treat our athletes that same way. Give glory and praise to those athletes that not only proved it during the season, but the all star game as well and that way there is no doubt for that sports season that player or those players were the best.





Sources: http://www.nfl.com/probowl