Why Does the NFL Let Fans Vote for the Pro Bowl?
The NFL allowing fans to vote for the Pro Bowl hurts players who should really be awarded.
The Pro Bowl is the least entertaining All Star game that any of the “big four” sports teams conducts and allowing fans to vote for who makes the game is one of its many flaws. Year after year, players that deserve to make the game are snubbed out of accolades that can help a players resume to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and this year was no different.
One of the players who did not make the Pro Bowl that was super deserving is Green Bay Packers tight end, Robert Tonyan. He is in his third season and is having an elite season. Tonyan is tied for first in receiving touchdowns amongst tight ends with 10 this year and the two tight ends who are representing the NFC are T.J Hockenson, 6 touchdowns, and Evan Engram who has 1 touchdown.
Another huge Pro Bowl snub was Colts defensive lineman, Deforest Buckner. Buckner has 52 tackles and 7.5 sacks while Steelers defensive lineman, Cam Heyward only has 49 tackles with 3 sacks. Buckner is having the best season of his career thus far and deserves to be playing in the Pro Bowl this year.
This is where the Pro Bowl letting fans vote is an issue. Pittsburgh has a notoriously large fan base while Indianapolis does not. Heyward is a Steelers fan favorite and while he does not have better stats than Buckner, he will be on a plane to Vegas to play in the Pro Bowl.
Other aspects of the Pro Bowl that suck the fun out of the game is that quarterbacks are practically untouchable. The second a defensive lineman comes in contact with a quarterback the refs whistle the play dead. I understand the safety of players but, if you’re going to play, play 100%.
Players effort in the contest is minimal. The last hard hit I ever saw in a Pro Bowl game was in the 2007 contest when the late, Washington safety, Sean Taylor, destroyed Bills punter, Brian Moorman. Since then, the players might as well wear tee shirts and shorts and play flag football.
I think I speak for most of America and football fans when I say that it would be more entertaining to watch a 7v7 game between the quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, and tight ends. The linemen could compete in a 1v1 pass rush drill and other types of linemen drills. That would be a lot more exciting than the NFL’s best athletes trotting around the field, not caring who wins.