The future of the Pro Bowl is still in doubt, but maybe not as much as it was even Sunday night.
While NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and many others around the NFL continue to prepare for Sunday’s Super Bowl in New Orleans, the future of the league’s all-star game still hangs in the balance.
With the Super Bowl media frenzy already shifting into overdrive, Goodell took to Reddit on Monday afternoon to answer questions from fans about the big game and all things NFL, including the uncertain future of the Pro Bowl.
When asked about the NFC’s 62-35 blowout win in Sunday night’s Pro Bowl, Goodell seemed upbeat by the players’ participation and the quality of the product on the field compared to years past.
“I watched the game and noticed the improved quality of the game. I appreciate the players’ commitment in this regard,” Goodell wrote in the chat. “We need to continually work to make our game better for the fans. I look forward to getting detailed player comment and input over the next few weeks.”
Plenty of players didn’t make the event, as has become customary in recent years. The ones who did attend still refused to put in the full effort — then again, what can you really expect at a meaningless all-star game? — and some of the tackling looked even worse than what you’d find on a high school field. But, whether it was J.J. Watt lining up as a wide receiver or the attempted back-heel onside kick, the game did offer some entertainment and an added level of excitement.
There is no contract in place to keep the contest going beyond this year, which could mean shelving the game altogether, but Goodell doesn’t sound quite as certain about that as he once did. So, in reading into the commissioner’s words a bit, the future of the Pro Bowl is by no means safe, but his excitement over what he witnessed in Hawaii on Sunday is at least encouraging.
Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter at @LukeFHughes or send it here.
