By Darren Johnson
Campus News
Today at 3 p.m. on ESPN is the annual NFL Pro Bowl game. Virtually no one will watch it.
The game was never good, but about a decade ago it entered WWE territory as far as athletic integrity goes. That’s when the league decided to place the game before the Super Bowl, as opposed to after.
The problem with that is, the players from the best two teams, the Patriots and the Rams, won’t be able to be in the Pro Bowl — no Tom Brady, no Rob Gronkowsi, no Jared Goff, no Todd Gurley, no Aaron Donald.
As well, most of the best players from the No. 2 teams from the AFC and NFC respectively, the Chiefs and Saints, won’t really be in the best shape to play in a Pro Bowl, considering last week they had put it all on the line. They are sore and tired. They probably won’t even show up.
It used to be the game was in Honolulu, so at least the players got a nice trip to Hawaii out of it, where they could bask in the sun and bring their families. Now the game is in Orlando. Nice town, but for a guy making millions — big deal.
The players who do show up for this game will only go at half speed. Anyone who actually bets on this game is a gambling addict, as there’s no rhyme or reason as to who wins. It’s a virtual coin flip.
Here are my ideas to make this game better (or at least get better ratings):
- Instead of having the NFL all-stars take on each other, why not have them take on NCAA champ Clemson in a game for charity? I’d be extremely curious as to the outcome and think the college players — a cohesive unit — would have a chance against a bigger NFL squad that only has had a week to practice. Look how USA soccer loses to, say, Scotland. Teamwork matters. The winning players can go on to eat Chicken McNuggets with Trump.
- Or how about instead of AFC vs. NFC, have a captain pick each team, as happens on a playground? That would be suspenseful.
- How about the all-stars just play the Jets? We all like to see the Jets get demolished. It’s a national pastime.
- How about they play shirts vs. skins? Well, since steroids were banned, maybe not…
- How about adding celebrity players to the game? Say that virgin guy from “The Bachelor” or Dr. Pimple Popper? The networks can cross-promote shows with such crossover, like when Mork from Ork showed up on “Happy Days.”
See, there are lots of ways we can make the Pro Bowl great again.
Now, go enjoy the game! Or not…
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