The very first “Pro All-Star Game” was played way back in 1939 at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. The game was suspended in 1942 due to WWII. Finally, in 1950 a new All-Star game began, now christened the “Pro Bowl”. The first 21 games of the series form 1951-1972 were played in Los Angeles. Then the site changed around for the next seven years before being moved to Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii where it remained for the next 30 years.
The 2010 Pro Bowl was played at Sun Life Stadium in Miami n Jan. 31….the first time ever that the game was held before the Super Bowl. The change means that the players going to the Super Bowl will not be playing in the Pro Bowl, no matter their accomplishments that year.
Peyton Manning came back to open the second half for the AFC and promptly throws and interception. Rookie All Pro Russell Wilson made his pro bowl debut and took only 3 plays to put the ball into the end zone on a 28 yard pass to Doug Martin. Nice first series there, Russ!
Matt Schaub makes up for two earlier interceptions with a short 4 yard pass for a touchdown to Josh Cribbs to bring the AFC back into the game…..but, then, Leon Washington of the Seahawks returns the kickoff 93yards and then his team mate Russell Wilson comes back in and makes quick work of a touchdown for the NFC.
Things continued to go badly for the AFC and by the end of the third quarter the score was an embarrassing 52-21. But the guys were playing hard.
Andrew Luck finally got his chance in the fourth quarter and put together two nice touchdown drives, both finishing with passes to AJ Green.
However, it was too little, too late and the NFC won the game 62-35.
The members of the winning All Pro team received $50,000 and the losers got $25,000. Not a bad payday for spending a week in paradise.
Players are elected to the Pro Bowl by the coaches, the players themselves and the fans. Each group’s ballots count for one third of the votes.
Being voted to be a Pro Bowler is considered to be a mark of honor and the players as members of an elite club. Congratulations to all the pros!
