We Spent a Week at the NFL Pro Bowl: Here's What We Saw

Very rarely do you get to see NFL players able to chill out and just be themselves in a football setting. It's an intense game and they're usually locked in. That's what makes the Pro Bowl so great. They're able to be themselves, but still play the game they love. The players genuinely seem to enjoy being there, and to the NFL's credit, they were able to bring out some major star power this year. Lamar Jackson, Drew Brees, Russell Wilson, Ezekiel Elliott, Deshaun Watson, and many more were all in attendance.

As we wrote last week, the Complex Sports crew was down in Orlando for an entire week to take in the Pro Bowl festivities and enjoy the show. We got to interact with the players, particpate in the Pro Bowl experience, watch the Skills Showdown, and much more.

The week was not only a great place for the NFL's biggest and brightest stars to get a chance to unwind and just be themselves, but it gives fans an opportunity to meet an interact with their favorite players for an entire week. You could tell the players love it. So many of the guys waited long after they had to to make sure that they could sign every autograph for fans. Was truly a special thing to witness. 

Being down in Orlando the whole week, we were able to take in a lot and really get a great feel from the players. We already put out one of our social pieces, and it was pretty epic.

We were also able to witness from start to finish how much fun guys have during Pro Bowl week. From Lamar Jackson's star power to some very real love for Kobe Bryant, here's what we saw and heard from a full week at the NFL Pro Bowl 2020. 

Lamar Jackson was a legit star throughout the entire Pro Bowl week. And I'm not just talking on the field, where he won MVP on Sunday. Throughout the week's activities, which included a few practices, the Skills Showdown, and some other fan events, Jackson was the center of attention. Not only did the media flock to him in droves, but fans chased and waited around to just get a glimpse of Jackson. And the best part? Jackson took pictures and signed autographs for every single person that waited for him. 

It's very rare to see such a young player have such a grounded outlook on these types of things, but Jackson is a true star who gets it. Seeing him interact with fans throughout the week really showcased what this was all about, and even though Jackson is about to become the second youngest NFL MVP in league history, he carries himself like a 10-year veteran. That's almost more impressive than the magic he produces on the field. Behind the likes of Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and Deshaun Watson, the NFL is in very good hands going forward. 

Listen, I wrote something similar to this last week, but I need to say it again: the Pro Bowl Skills Showdown is amazing. I don't think people truly believed me when I published that take last week, but then they watched the broadcast on ESPN and realized that it was indeed awesome. Remember guys, I will never steer you wrong.

Also, seeing Jarvis Landry completely dominate the dodgeball competition was one of the best moments as a Browns fan that I've felt in months. That's not really a great thing to admit, but we take what we can get.

And honeslty, I think the NFL needs to blow this up even more going forward. I'm talking primetime and under the lights. Go full American Gladiators with it. The product is there and fans are craving more of it. 

On Sunday, we put out a social video asking Pro Bowlers to pick from Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole as their favorite artist. Naturally, fans debated for hours about the selections and why certain guys picked the wrong rapper.

What we didn't drop yet was a similar video that included Roddy Ricch, and let me tell you, he was far and away the most popular pick from the Pro Bowlers. I don't want to give too much away, but Roddy is legit untouchable out here right now. This isn't a total surprise seeing that Roddy has the No. 1 song in the country with "The Box," but it's awesome to see his impact and popularity reach these sort of levels so quickly. I'd have to easily give him my pick for the music MVP of the Pro Bowl, which is something I just completely made up. 

I'm probably way more excited about these potential rule changes than anyone else, but man, the onside kick has become a brutal part of the game and a change would be welcomed. For those of us who desire some change, it might be on the way, as the NFL tested out a new change during the Pro Bowl on Sunday. Basically, instead of an onside kick after a scoring play, the scoring team can opt for a fourth-and-15 play from their own 25-yard-line to keep possession.

In my eyes, this would be a lovely fulltime addition to the NFL rulebook. It's become almost impossible to record an onside kick these days and this option would simply make the game more exciting. Let's make this happen, please.