SAN FRANCISCO – NFL commissioner Roger Goodell finally said what we already knew: The Pro Bowl isn't working.
He could have reached further at Friday's annual pre-Super Bowl media address. The word "embarrassment" comes to mind. Rather than developing a showcase for stars, the event has devolved into a glorified walkthrough. Now it sadly is a bookend of two things fans hate: preseason games and pre-Super Bowl shame.
But there is hope. Goodell said he is open to new ideas. Here are a few, which could be considered a Pro Bowl booster shot:
Ditch the game. We are growing exponentially smarter about long-term physical consequences of playing football, so it's irresponsible to ask players to risk themselves in full-contact situations in an exhibition game. The franchises don't want that, the players don't want it and fans surely aren't interested in having stars put into harms way for what amounts to an NFL infomercia.
He could have reached further at Friday's annual pre-Super Bowl media address. The word "embarrassment" comes to mind. Rather than developing a showcase for stars, the event has devolved into a glorified walkthrough. Now it sadly is a bookend of two things fans hate: preseason games and pre-Super Bowl shame.
But there is hope. Goodell said he is open to new ideas. Here are a few, which could be considered a Pro Bowl booster shot:
Ditch the game. We are growing exponentially smarter about long-term physical consequences of playing football, so it's irresponsible to ask players to risk themselves in full-contact situations in an exhibition game. The franchises don't want that, the players don't want it and fans surely aren't interested in having stars put into harms way for what amounts to an NFL infomercia.
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