Pro Bowl

Pro Bowl

Tackle during 2006 Pro Bowl in Hawaii

In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League (NFL). Since the merger with the rival American Football League (AFL) in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference (AFC) against those in the National Football Conference (NFC).

Unlike most other sports leagues, which hold their all-star games during the halfway point of their respective regular seasons, the Pro Bowl is played at the end of the NFL season. The first Pro Bowl, featuring the all-stars of the 1938 season, was played on January 15, 1939 at Los Angeles' Wrigley Field. The game was then played at various venues before being held at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii for 30 consecutive seasons from 1980 to 2009. The 2010 Pro Bowl was played at Sun Life Stadium, the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins and host site of Super Bowl XLIV, on January 31, the first time ever that the Pro Bowl was held before the championship game, with the conference teams not including players from the teams that will be playing in the Super Bowl. The event is scheduled to return to Hawaii in 2011 and 2012.

Player selection

Currently, players are voted into the Pro Bowl by the coaches, the players themselves, and the fans. Each group's ballots count for one third of the votes. The fans vote online at the NFL's official website. There are also replacements that go to the game should any selected player be unable to play due to injuries. Prior to 1995, only the coaches and the players made Pro Bowl selections.

In order to be considered a Pro Bowler for a given year, a player must either have been one of the initial players selected to the team, or a player who accepts an invitation to the Pro Bowl as an alternate; invited alternates who decline to attend are not considered Pro Bowlers. Being a Pro Bowler is considered to be a mark of honor, and players who are accepted into the Pro Bowl are considered to be elite.

The Pro Bowl head coaches are traditionally the head coaches of the teams that lost in the AFC and NFC championship games for the same season of the Pro Bowl in question. However, for the 2010 Pro Bowl, a new rule was presented: The teams that lose in the divisional playoff game with the best regular-season record will have their coaching staffs lead their respective conference Pro Bowl team. If the losing teams of each conference had the same regular season record the coaches from the higher-seeded team will get the Pro Bowl honor. This was, presumably, to allow the coaches more time with the players while the Pro Bowl is held during the week before the Super Bowl, since the conference championship losers would only have one week to prepare as opposed to three weeks when the Pro Bowl was held the week after the Super Bowl.

Pro Bowl MVP

The first MVP award (or Most Valuable Player) in the Pro Bowl was presented in 1951. From 1957 to 1971, two awards were presented to an offensive back and a defensive lineman. In 1972, there were awards for both an offensive player and a defensive player. Since 1973, only one MVP award has been presented (though three times this award has been presented to multiple players).

Pro Bowl uniforms

Quarterback Peyton Manning (#18) before the 2006 Pro Bowl.

The teams are made of players from different NFL teams, so using their own uniforms would be too confusing. The players each wear the helmet of their team, but the home jerseys and pants are either a solid blue for the NFC or solid red for the AFC, while white jerseys with blue or red accents, respectively, for the away team. While it has been speculated that the color of Pro Bowl jerseys is determined by the winner of the Super Bowl, this is untrue. The design of Pro Bowl uniforms is changed every two years, and the color and white jerseys are rotated along with the design change. This has been Pro Bowl tradition since the switch to team specific helmets, which started with the January 1979 game. The two-year switch was originally created as a marketing ploy by Nike, and has been continued by Reebok, who won the merchandising contract in 2002. The early Pro Bowl, contested by the National Football League's Eastern and Western Division stars and played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, featured the same uniforms from the 1950s to mid-1960s; the Eastern team wore scarlet jerseys with white numerals and a white crescent shoulder stripe, white pants with red stripe, red socks, and a plain red helmet. The Western team wore white jerseys with royal-blue numerals and a Northwestern University-style triple stripe on the sleeves, white pants with blue stripe and socks and a plain blue helmet. Perhaps oddly, the Eastern team, wore home dark jerseys, although the host-city team, the Los Angeles Rams, were members of the Western Conference. From January 1967 to January 1970 both teams wore gold helmets with the NFL logo on the sides; the Eastern helmets featured a red-white-red tri-stripe and the Western a similar blue-white-blue tri-stripe. In fact the players brought their own game helmets to Los Angeles, which were then spray-painted and decorated for the contest. (For the 1970 game the helmets featured the 50 NFL logo, commemorating the league's half-century anniversary.)

In the earliest years of the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, the players did not wear their unique helmets, as they do now. The AFC All-Stars wore a solid red helmet with a white A on it, while the NFC players wore a solid white helmet with a blue N on it. The AFC's red helmets were paired with white jerseys and red pants, while the NFC's white helmets were paired with blue jerseys and white pants.

Two players with the same number who are elected to the Pro Bowl can now wear the same number for that game. This was not always the case in the past.

The 2008 Pro Bowl included a unique example of several players from the same team wearing the same number in a Pro Bowl. For the game, Washington Redskins players T Chris Samuels, TE Chris Cooley, and LS Ethan Albright all wore the number 21 (a number normally inappropriate for their positions) in memory of their teammate Sean Taylor who had been murdered during the 2007 season.

Game results

NFL All-Star Games (1939–1942)

No Most Valuable Player awards were presented during these games

Season	Date	Score	Venue
1938	January 15, 1939	New York Giants 13, Pro All-Stars 10	Wrigley Field, Los Angeles
1939	January 14, 1940	Green Bay Packers 16, NFL All-Stars 7	Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles
1940	December 29, 1940	Chicago Bears 28, NFL All-Stars 14	Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles
1941	January 4, 1942	Chicago Bears 35, NFL All-Stars 24	Polo Grounds, New York City
1942	December 27, 1942	NFL All-Stars 17, Washington Redskins 14	Shibe Park, Philadelphia

• 1943-50 - No games

NFL Pro Bowls (1951–70)

Season	Date	Score	Most Valuable Players	Venue	Head Coaches	Television
1950	January 14, 1951	American Conference 28, National Conference 27	Otto Graham, Cleveland Browns, Quarterback	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	AC: Paul Brown, Cleveland NC:Joe Stydahar, Los Angeles
1951	January 12, 1952	National Conference 30, American Conference 13	Dan Towler, Los Angeles Rams, Running back	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	AC: Paul Brown, Cleveland NC:Joe Stydahar, Los Angeles	NBC
1952	January 10, 1953	National Conference 27, American Conference 7	Don Doll, Detroit Lions, Defensive back	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	AC: Paul Brown, Cleveland NC:Buddy Parker, Detroit	NBC
1953	January 17, 1954	East 20, West 9	Chuck Bednarik, Philadelphia Eagles, Linebacker	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	EC: Paul Brown, Cleveland WC: Buddy Parker, Detroit	NBC
1954	January 16, 1955	West 26, East 19	Billy Wilson, San Francisco 49ers, End	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	EC: Jim Trimble, Philadelphia WC:Buck Shaw, San Francisco	NBC
1955	January 15, 1956	East 31, West 30	Ollie Matson, Chicago Cardinals, Running back	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	EC: Joe Kuharich, Washington WC: Sid Gillman, Los Angeles	NBC
1956	January 13, 1957	West 19, East 10	Back: Bert Rechichar, Baltimore Colts Lineman: Ernie Stautner, Pittsburgh Steelers	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	EC:Jim Lee Howell, New York WC: Paddy Driscoll, Chicago Bears	NBC
1957	January 12, 1958	West 26, East 7	Back: Hugh McElhenny, San Francisco 49ers Lineman: Gene Brito, Washington Redskins	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	EC: Buddy Parker, Pittsburgh WC:George Wilson, Detroit	NBC
1958	January 11, 1959	East 28, West 21	Back: Frank Gifford, New York Giants Lineman: Doug Atkins, Chicago Bears	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	EC:Jim Lee Howell, New York WC:Weeb Ewbank, Baltimore	NBC
1959	January 17, 1960	West 38, East 21	Back: Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts Lineman: Eugene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb, Pittsburgh Steelers	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	EC:Buck Shaw, Philadelphia WC:Red Hickey, San Francisco	NBC
1960	January 15, 1961	West 35, East 31	Back: Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts Lineman: Sam Huff, New York Giants	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	EC:Buck Shaw, Philadelphia WC:Vince Lombardi, Green Bay	NBC
1961	January 14, 1962	West 31, East 30	Back: Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns Lineman: Henry Jordan, Green Bay Packers	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	EC: Allie Sherman, New York WC:Norm Van Brocklin, Minnesota	NBC
1962	January 13, 1963	East 30, West 20	Back: Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns Lineman: Eugene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb, Pittsburgh Steelers	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	EC: Allie Sherman, New York WC: Vince Lombardi, Green Bay	NBC
1963	January 12, 1964	West 31, East 17	Back: Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts Lineman: Gino Marchetti, Baltimore Colts	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	EC: Allie Sherman, New York WC:George Halas, Chicago	NBC
1964	January 10, 1965	West 34, East 14	Back: Fran Tarkenton, Vikings Lineman: Terry Barr, Detroit Lions	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	EC: Blanton Collier, Cleveland WC:Don Shula, Baltimore	NBC
1965	January 15, 1966	East 36, West 7	Back: Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns Lineman: Dale Meinert, St. Louis Cardinals	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	EC: Blanton Collier, Cleveland WC: Vince Lombardi, Green Bay	CBS
1966	January 22, 1967	East 20, West 10	Back: Gale Sayers, Chicago Bears Lineman: Floyd Peters, Philadelphia Eagles	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	EC: Tom Landry, Dallas WC: George Allen, Los Angeles	CBS
1967	January 21, 1968	West 38, East 20	Back: Gale Sayers, Chicago Bears Lineman: Dave Robinson, Green Bay Packers	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	EC:Otto Graham, Washington WC: Don Shula, Baltimore	CBS
1968	January 19, 1969	West 10, East 7	Back: Roman Gabriel, Los Angeles Rams Lineman: Merlin Olsen, Los Angeles Rams	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	EC: Tom Landry, Dallas WC: George Allen, Los Angeles	CBS
1969	January 18, 1970	West 16, East 13	Back: Gale Sayers, Chicago Bears Lineman: George Andrie, Dallas Cowboys	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	EC: Tom Fears, New Orleans WC:Norm Van Brocklin, Atlanta	CBS

AFC–NFC Pro Bowls (1971–present)

Date	Score	Series	Most Valuable Player(s)	Venue	Head Coaches	Television
January 24, 1971	NFC, 27-6	NFC, 1-0	Lineman: Fred Carr, Packers Back: Mel Renfro, Cowboys	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California	AFC: John Madden, Oakland NFC: Dick Nolan, San Francisco	CBS
January 23, 1972	AFC, 26-13	Tied, 1-1	Defense: Willie Lanier, Chiefs Offense: Jan Stenerud, Chiefs	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California	AFC: Don McCafferty, Baltimore NFC: Dick Nolan, San Francisco	NBC
January 21, 1973	AFC, 33-28	AFC, 2-1	O.J. Simpson, Bills, Running back	Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas	AFC: Chuck Noll, Pittsburgh NFC: Tom Landry, Dallas	CBS
January 20, 1974	AFC, 15-13	AFC, 3-1	Garo Yepremian, Dolphins, Placekicker	Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri	AFC: John Madden, Oakland NFC: Tom Landry, Dallas	NBC
January 20, 1975	NFC, 17-10	AFC, 3-2	James Harris, Rams, Quarterback	Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida	AFC: John Madden, Oakland NFC: Chuck Knox, Los Angeles	ABC
January 26, 1976	NFC, 23-20	Tied, 3-3	Billy Johnson, Oilers, Kick returner	Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana	AFC: John Madden, Oakland NFC: Chuck Knox, Los Angeles	ABC
January 17, 1977	AFC, 24-14	AFC, 4-3	Mel Blount, Steelers, Cornerback	The Kingdome, Seattle, Washington	AFC: Chuck Noll, Pittsburgh NFC: Chuck Knox, Los Angeles	ABC
January 23, 1978	NFC, 14-13	Tied, 4-4	Walter Payton, Bears, Running back	Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida	AFC: John Madden, Oakland NFC: Bud Grant, Minnesota	ABC
January 29, 1979	NFC, 13-7	NFC, 5-4	Ahmad Rashad, Vikings, Wide receiver	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California	AFC: Bum Phillips, Houston NFC: Ray Malavasi, Los Angeles	ABC
January 27, 1980	NFC, 37-27	NFC, 6-4	Chuck Muncie, Saints, Running back	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Bum Phillips, Houston NFC: John McKay, Tampa Bay	ABC
February 1, 1981	NFC, 21-7	NFC, 7-4	Eddie Murray, Lions, Placekicker	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Don Coryell, San Diego NFC: Tom Landry, Dallas	ABC
January 31, 1982	AFC, 16-13	NFC, 7-5	Lee Roy Selmon, Buccaneers, Defensive end Kellen Winslow, Chargers, Tight end	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Don Coryell, San Diego NFC: Tom Landry, Dallas	ABC
February 6, 1983	NFC, 20-19	NFC, 8-5	Dan Fouts, Chargers, Quarterback John Jefferson, Packers, Wide receiver	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Walt Michaels, N.Y. Jets NFC: Tom Landry, Dallas	ABC
January 29, 1984	NFC, 45-3	NFC, 9-5	Joe Theismann, Redskins, Quarterback	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Chuck Knox, Seattle NFC: Bill Walsh, San Francisco	ABC
January 27, 1985	AFC, 22-14	NFC, 9-6	Mark Gastineau, Jets, Defensive end	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Chuck Noll, Pittsburgh NFC: Mike Ditka, Chicago	ABC
February 2, 1986	NFC, 28-24	NFC, 10-6	Phil Simms, Giants, Quarterback	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Don Shula, Miami NFC: John Robinson, L.A. Rams	ABC
February 1, 1987	AFC, 10-6	NFC, 10-7	Reggie White, Eagles, Defensive end	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Marty Schottenheimer, Cleveland NFC: Joe Gibbs, Washington	ABC
February 7, 1988	AFC, 15-6	NFC, 10-8	Bruce Smith, Bills, Defensive end	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Marty Schottenheimer, Cleveland NFC: Jerry Burns, Minnesota	ESPN
January 29, 1989	NFC, 34-3	NFC, 11-8	Randall Cunningham, Eagles, Quarterback	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Marv Levy, Buffalo NFC: Mike Ditka, Chicago	ESPN
February 4, 1990	NFC, 27-21	NFC, 12-8	Jerry Gray, Rams, Cornerback	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Bud Carson, Cleveland NFC: John Robinson, L.A. Rams	ESPN
February 3, 1991	AFC, 23-21	NFC, 12-9	Jim Kelly, Bills, Quarterback	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Art Shell, L.A. Raiders NFC: George Seifert, San Francisco	ESPN
February 2, 1992	NFC, 21-15	NFC, 13-9	Michael Irvin, Cowboys, Wide receiver	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Dan Reeves, Denver NFC: Wayne Fontes, Detroit	ESPN
February 7, 1993	AFC, 23-20 (OT)	NFC, 13-10	Steve Tasker, Bills, Special teams	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Don Shula, Miami NFC: George Seifert, San Francisco	ESPN
February 6, 1994	NFC, 17-3	NFC, 14-10	Andre Rison, Falcons, Wide receiver	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Marty Schottenheimer, Kansas City NFC: George Seifert, San Francisco	ESPN
February 5, 1995	AFC, 41-13	NFC, 14-11	Marshall Faulk, Colts, Running back	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Bill Cowher, Pittsburgh NFC: Barry Switzer, Dallas	ABC
February 4, 1996	NFC, 20-13	NFC, 15-11	Jerry Rice, 49ers, Wide receiver	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Ted Marchibroda, Indianapolis NFC: Mike Holmgren, Green Bay	ABC
February 2, 1997	AFC, 26-23 (OT)	NFC, 15-12	Mark Brunell, Jaguars, Quarterback	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Tom Coughlin, Jacksonville NFC: Dom Capers, Carolina	ABC
February 1, 1998	AFC, 29-24	NFC, 15-13	Warren Moon, Seahawks, Quarterback	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Bill Cowher, Pittsburgh NFC: Steve Mariucci, San Francisco	ABC
February 7, 1999	AFC, 23-10	NFC, 15-14	Keyshawn Johnson, Jets, Wide receiver Ty Law, Patriots, Cornerback	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Bill Belichick, N.Y. Jets NFC: Dennis Green, Minnesota	ABC
February 6, 2000	NFC, 51-31	NFC, 16-14	Randy Moss, Vikings, Wide receiver	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Tom Coughlin, Jacksonville NFC: Tony Dungy, Tampa Bay	ABC
February 4, 2001	AFC, 38-17	NFC, 16-15	Rich Gannon, Raiders, Quarterback	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Jon Gruden, Oakland NFC: Dennis Green, Minnesota	ABC
February 9, 2002	AFC, 38-30	Tied, 16-16	Rich Gannon, Raiders, Quarterback	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Bill Cowher, Pittsburgh NFC: Andy Reid, Philadelphia	ABC
February 2, 2003	AFC, 45-20	AFC, 17-16	Ricky Williams, Dolphins, Running back	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Jeff Fisher, Tennessee NFC: Andy Reid, Philadelphia	ABC
February 8, 2004	NFC, 55-52	Tied, 17-17	Marc Bulger, Rams, Quarterback	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Tony Dungy, Indianapolis NFC: Andy Reid, Philadelphia	ESPN
February 13, 2005	AFC, 38-27	AFC, 18-17	Peyton Manning, Colts, Quarterback	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Bill Cowher, Pittsburgh NFC: Jim L. Mora, Atlanta	ESPN
February 12, 2006	NFC 23-17	Tied, 18-18	Derrick Brooks, Buccaneers, Linebacker	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Mike Shanahan, Denver NFC: John Fox, Carolina	ESPN
February 10, 2007	AFC 31-28	AFC, 19-18	Carson Palmer, Bengals, Quarterback	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Bill Belichick, New England NFC: Sean Payton, New Orleans	CBS
February 10, 2008	NFC 42-30	Tied, 19-19	Adrian Peterson, Vikings, Running Back	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: Norv Turner, San Diego, NFC: Mike McCarthy, Green Bay	Fox
February 8, 2009	NFC 30-21	NFC 20-19	Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals, Wide receiver	Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii	AFC: John Harbaugh, Baltimore NFC: Andy Reid, Philadelphia	NBC
January 31, 2010	AFC 41-34	Tied, 20-20	Matt Schaub, Texans, Quarterback	Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida	NFC: Wade Phillips, Dallas AFC: Norv Turner, San Diego	ESPN
TBD, 2011				Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii		Fox
TBD, 2012				Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii		NBC

Stadiums that have hosted the Pro Bowl

• Wrigley Field, Los Angeles (1939)
• Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles (Jan and Dec 1940)
• Polo Grounds, New York (Jan 1942)
• Shibe Park, Philadelphia (Dec 1942)
• Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (1951–1972, 1979)
• Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas (1973)
• Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City (1974)
• Miami Orange Bowl (1975)
• Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans (1976)
• Kingdome, Seattle (1977)
• Tampa Stadium (1978)
• Aloha Stadium, Honululu (1980–2009)
• Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida (2010)

Records

• Merlin Olsen (Rams) and Bruce Matthews (Oilers/Titans) each were in 14 pro-bowls. Olsen played in 14 consecutive pro-bowls beginning his rookie year.
• In the 20 seasons prior to the AFL–NFL merger, the Western/National Conference won both the Pro Bowl and the NFL Championship game nine times, while the Eastern/American won both two times. In the years they have split, the East won the Pro Bowl and West won the NFL title five times, while the reverse has occurred four times. Also, in this era, the National/Western Conference won 13 of 20 games played against the American/Eastern Conference.
• In the 37 seasons since the AFL–NFL Merger, both conferences have swept the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl 9 times. In the 19 years they have split, the NFC has won the Super Bowl 10 times.
• Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts players have won six MVP awards, more than any other team. Chicago Bears and Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams players have won five MVP awards. Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns players have won four MVP awards. 10 teams have won two, and 13 teams have won one each. The Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos have never had a player win an MVP award.
• Quarterbacks have won 16 MVP awards; wide receivers are second with eight.
• Only two AFC–NFC Pro Bowls have gone to overtime. Both have been won by the AFC in overtime with field goals.
• Due to the rescheduling of Super Bowl XXXVI in the wake of 9/11, the 2002 game was moved from Sunday to the following Saturday, one week later.
• Sean Taylor was voted to the 2007/08 NFC Roster as a starter at free safety, shortly after he was fatally shot in his home by armed intruders. This was the first time in Pro Bowl history that a player was named as a Pro Bowler posthumously. The NFC took the field on defense for their first series with only 10 players on the field. He was later replaced by Roy Williams.
• John Madden and Tom Landry have coached in the most Pro Bowls (5 each).
• Pittsburgh head coaches Bill Cowher and Chuck Noll are #1 and #2 in Pro Bowls won (Cowher 4, Noll 3).
• The 2007/08 Dallas Cowboys have the most selections in one season with 13.
• The most points in a single game was 55 by the NFC in the 2004 Pro Bowl, which also featured the most points by the losing team (the AFC scored 52).
• Marshall Faulk and Adrian Peterson are the only rookies in NFL history to win both the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and the Pro Bowl’s Most Valuable Player Award in the same season.

Television

See also: List of Pro Bowl broadcasters

• Under the current NFL television contract, the network which airs the Super Bowl will air the Pro Bowl. The 2007 game on CBS was held on the Saturday after Super Bowl XLI because of the 49th Grammy Awards. The 2008 game was on Fox, broadcaster of Super Bowl XLII. Likewise, the 2009 game was on NBC, broadcaster of Super Bowl XLIII. CBS sold off their rights to the 2010 game to ESPN, which was played a week before the Super Bowl at the Super Bowl site, Sun Life Stadium.

• The Pro Bowl was originally broadcast on an alternative basis by CBS and NBC (with the other network broadcasting the Super Bowl) from 1971–1974. Later, the game was broadcast as part of the Monday Night Football package on ABC from 1975–1987 and again from 1995–2003. In 2004–2006, ABC sold its rights to the Pro Bowl to sister network ESPN (who had shown it from 1988-1994). In those years, the ESPN Sunday Night Football crew covered the game.

• In the early 2000s, after suffering through several years of dwindling ratings ABC considered moving the game to Monday night. The idea was scrapped, however, when ABC decided to sell off the rights to sister network ESPN.

• Throughout his broadcasting career, John Madden declined to be part of the announcing crew when his network carried the Pro Bowl due to his aviatophobia and claustrophobia (a joke referencing both is made in the Madden NFL '97 before the beginning of the Pro Bowl in season mode, where Madden quips that he drove his "Madden Bus" to Hawaii, rather than flying). Until Madden's retirement from broadcasting after the 2009 Pro Bowl, it had only occurred twice: former San Diego Chargers quarterback and MNF personality Dan Fouts, whom Madden had replaced, took his place on ABC in 2003, and Cris Collinsworth took his place on NBC in 2009 (Collinsworth ended up replacing Madden permanently upon the latter's retirement).

Blackout of game in Hawaii

Although Hawaii does not have a NFL team of its own, the Pro Bowl is still subject to the NFL's blackout policies, requiring the game to be blacked out within the state of Hawaii if it doesn't sell out all of its seats. This restriction will not be in effect in Hawaii for the 2010 game, but will be transferred to the Miami media market.

Criticism

The Pro Bowl has been plagued with criticism ever since the NFL allowed fan voting. Voting by fans makes up 1/3 of the vote for Pro Bowl players. Many teams like Dallas, New York, and other large fan bases usually win because fans usually vote for their own team and not necessarily the best player. In the 2008 Pro Bowl, the Dallas Cowboys had thirteen players on the NFC roster, an NFL record. "If you're in a small market, no one really gets to see you play," said Minnesota Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield. "If you're a quiet guy, it's hard to get the attention. You just have to work hard and play." Winfield made the Pro Bowl in 2008 after ten seasons of being shut out.

The player voting has also been subject to significant criticism. It is not uncommon for the players to pick the same players over and over again; former offensive lineman (and SI.com analyst) Ross Tucker has cited politics, incumbency, and compensation for injury in previous years as primary factors in player's choices among themselves.

Some players have had a surprisingly small number of Pro Bowl selections despite distinguished careers. Hall of fame running back John Riggins was only selected once in his career from 1971-1985. He was not selected in the year where he set the record for rushing touchdowns in a season and his team made it to the Super Bowl (though he did make the all-pro team). Defensive Back Ken Riley never made the Pro Bowl in his 15 seasons, even though he recorded 65 interceptions, the fourth highest total in NFL history at the time of his retirement.

See also

• American Football League All-Star games
• All-America Football Conference All-Star Game
• List of Pro Bowl broadcasters

External links

• The Complete History of the Pro Bowl
• Pro Bowl info, pictures and news
• The NFL's official website
• Online Fan Voting Ballot