NFL Nixes Tackle Game From Pro Bowl

The league has for years faced criticism over the Pro Bowl and dwindling interest in it. Television ratings for the event have steadily declined, with the 2021 version drawing a reported 6.7 million viewers, the lowest total since 2006.

Few star players who are selected for the game actually participate, citing the need to rest after the regular season, and the N.F.L. has relocated the event several times in the hopes of drawing players to vacation destinations.

The game, which began in 1951, was originally hosted in Los Angeles, then moved to Hawaii from 1980 to 2009. The N.F.L. has since cycled the game among different cities, including Las Vegas and Miami.

With few competitive stakes and only passing interest, the game has been marked by lackluster play and few compelling moments. To add excitement to the broadcasts, the N.F.L. re-added the skills competition to the event in 2017 after having discontinued it ahead of the 2008 Pro Bowl.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/26/sports/football/nfl-pro-bowl-game.html