Pro-Bowl will take place this year, NFLPA gives assurances of full dedication to game by players to league - NFL News
The Pro-Bowl at least for next year will take place in Hawaii once again after both the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) and the National Football League (NFL) agreed to try and make the game more competitive and exciting.
Future of the traditional fixture which pits the best players from both NFL conferences against each other in an exhibition game, had been in considerable doubt after the drab affair that was the last Pro-Bowl.
Boo-ing crowds and players just going through the motions were the main highlights from last year’s game and many senior players said that some of their teammates did not give the effort the fixture and crowd deserved.
The poor response to the game had led the NFL to consider suspending the fixture indefinitely if no other method to improve the match was found.
However, the game has been given a lifeline after both the NFL and NFLPA had successful discussions over the event’s future.
Both agreed that the Pro-Bowl was an important event on the calendar with the NFLPA assuring the league that the players will give their all in the next edition of the event.
According to ESPN NFL executive vice president Ray Anderson said.
"The players have made it clear through the NFL Players Association that they would like the opportunity to continue to play the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. We look forward to working with the players toward the goal of improving the competitiveness of this season's
game."
NFLPA President, Domonique Foxworth, also said that the players felt the game is an important tradition and they will work hard to ensure that the best players in the league are honoured through the Pro-Bowl.
"The players believe that the Pro Bowl is an important tradition. We worked hard with the league to make sure the best players in the NFL are honored for their achievements on the field."
The next Pro-Bowl will be the 33rd time the event would be held in Hawaii.
It is now up to the players and the NFL to ensure that fans get to see the players give their all at the All-star game.
Pro-Bowl games have been a fixture of the NFL season for decades.
The best players from the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC) are voted for by the fans, coaches and players to feature in the All-Star event and being selected for the event is considered a great honour.
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