The NFL is replacing the Pro Bowl, which has been in place since 1951, in favor of a weeklong event featuring skills competitions and a flag football game, the league announced Monday.
The new event, which will take place in Las Vegas, will be renamed the “Pro Bowl Games.” AFC and NFC players will participate in various challenges that make up the skills competition, before the weeklong event culminates in a flag football game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 5.
“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.”
Peyton Manning will coach the flag football game, while his Omaha Productions company will help promote the “Pro Bowl Games.”
“The Pro Bowl has always been a time to step back and celebrate the game of football with teammates, fans and family,” Manning said. “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.”
The news arrives on the heels of the lowest-rated Pro Bowl since 2006, per Austin Karm of Sports Business Journal.
