by Lamar Davis

Drew Brees (New Orleans) and Payton Manning (Indianapolis Colts) observing at the Pro Bowl 2010.

Football Sunday is coming to a close as of next week. Yesterday, an event that is usually held in Hawaii and a week after the Super Bowl was held in Miami and a week before the Super Bowl. Yes, I am referring to the Pro Bowl. There was a lot of talk about football fans not watching this event in previous years. I’m sure the change that was made this year did not help increase viewers at all. Football fans have been asking why change in location and why move the Pro Bowl to the week before the Super Bowl? Also, several players chose not to attend the Pro Bowl. 

It is rumored that players were bitter about losing in the playoffs or still haven’t gotten over the fact that their team will not be playing in the big game. Therefore this year’s Pro Bowl was missing first selections to the Pro Bowl and was replaced with alternates. There is another reason why some of the first selections did not play in the Pro Bowl. That reason is because the NFL decided to hold the Pro Bowl a week before the Super Bowl (which makes no sense to me). It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that if you have the Pro Bowl before the Super Bowl, marquee players such as Payton Manning, Drew Brees, and Dwight Freeney will not be able to play because they are participating in the Super Bowl the following week. I don’t know exactly who made this decision but it was a horrible one. Somehow the NFL managed to lose their contract in Hawaii this year, so the NFL had to find another venue to hold the Pro Bowl. It was played at the University of Miami which is a big difference in weather and scenery compared to Hawaii. However, I have good news for faithful football fans. The NFL worked out a deal with Hawaii and the 2011 Pro Bowl will be played there next year and I’m pretty certain after the back lash they have received for having this event before the Super Bowl, that the Pro Bowl will be moved back to the week after the Super Bowl. 

Initially it was hard watching the game knowing you would not see some of the best players but it still turned out to be somewhat entertaining. I was happy to see Vince Young in the Pro Bowl, his invitation was well deserved. His teammate Chris Johnson (2,000 yard rusher) was invited as well and scored a touchdown. I wouldn’t dare forget our hometown heroes London Fletcher and Brian Orakpo of the Washington Redskins. Orakpo is the first defensive rookie in Redskins history since the 1970 merger to be selected to the Pro Bowl. London Fletcher (the tackling machine) was elated when he realized he was going to the Pro Bowl. Fletcher’s invitation was long overdue. They both were named starters in the Pro Bowl. Fletcher tied for first in tackles (5) with Dallas Cowboys Terrence Newman. The AFC won 41-34. Houston Texans Matt Schaub (QB) was the MVP.