STATE YOUR CASE: Should the NFL keep the Pro Bowl or get rid of it?

PRO BOWL NO LONGER NEEDED

by Curtis Lundstrom

sports editor

Consider this: The Kansas City Chiefs, the NFL’s worst team this season, had six players selected to the Pro Bowl last weekend. That’s fourth-most in the league and more than any NFC team.

The NFC won 62-35 by virtue of allowing two late AFC touchdowns in the 4th quarter.

Maybe it’s just me, but that doesn’t sound like a game worth playing. Especially when it’s being played between conference championships and the Super Bowl.

Members of the Super Bowl teams don’t participate anymore to avoid injury, thereby excluding some of the most talented players in the league.

It used to be the Pro Bowl was a credential and an honor, a reward for players performing at a high level. We’ve all heard someone say something like, “He was a 5-time Pro Bowl selection” in an attempt to boost a player’ validity.

That’s not how it is anymore. Ergo, there’s no need for it anymore.

– curtislundstrom@gmail.com

Twitter: @CurtisLundstrom

PRO BOWL SHOULD STAY

by Jeff Dahdah

staff writer

There has been talk this week about the significance of the Pro-Bowl and if it should stay. Obviously it should.

Why wouldn’t the NFL have a game to show off the best? We’re talking about NFL, the largest and most lucrative league in America. Of course that league should have a game honoring the players that make it enjoyable.

Think it’s not enjoyable? Maybe you or your friends think it’s insignificant, but then why do so many people watch it? 9.9 million people watched it this year, and that’s a down year for the bowl. It had 2 million more viewers than the NHL all star game, 7 million more than the NBA all star game and 9.4 million more than the MLS all star game. Yet not enough people watch?

The Pro-Bowl highlights the players that bring in fans, inspire young players, and dominate their opponents.  America’s favorite sport needs an all-star game.

– dahdahjm@gmail.com

Twitter: @dahdahjeff