NFLPA President: Roger Goodell came close to canceling Pro Bowl

CBSSports.com ^ | January 26, 2014 10:41 am ET | John Breech

[Cyber Liberty]

I don’t mind the extra week, and I don’t mind the hype. It’s the “circus” part of Bread and Circuses, and people seem to like it. However, I’m biased because I live in a warm climate, and more often than not this hype comes to my hometown with the “bread” part.

Now that we have a real Stadium, we get considered a lot more often (I’m in Phoenix, so there’s essentially no football the rest of the season). Every once in a while they have to award it to a Northern city in an open Stadium, just to remind them why that’s stupid.

[Political Junkie Too]

Is it single-flag or two-flag football tackles?

-PJ

[Political Junkie Too]

Given the high financial value placed on these elite players, I’m quite surprised they are playing a game like this any more.

I always thought of it as simply a free vacation to Hawaii for the players after the season was over.

-PJ

[Repeal 16-17]

no kick-offs and no more AFC vs NFC

he might as well have cancelled it

The players blocked him from cancelling it, so he turned it into a parody of itself.

[Repeal 16-17]

Time to cancel Roger Goodell at $29 Million a year.

Goodell is doing his best to destroy the NFL. I've never seen a commissioner before him that I was convinced hated the sport over which he ruled.

As an aside, what is the need for a Commissioner in any professional sport? It started only because of the Black Sox Scandal, but what is the need for it now?

[catnipman]

Instead, though, he chose to turn it into a ridiculous joke this year.

[onyx]

I'm not sure he hates football, but he's a NYer so he caters to the media, and he aims to change the game (he was injured and couldn't play football in college).

Thank you so much for reminding me of the original reason for Commissioners! (I am a woman). $29 Million a year is an outrageous salary no matter what's entailed.

[Hot Tabasco]

How and why does Roger Goodell have so much power?

[dfwgator]

Goodell is doing his best to destroy the NFL. I've never seen a commissioner before him that I was convinced hated the sport over which he ruled.

And I thought Gary Bettman was bad.

[catnipman]

I still can’t figure out which “team” to pull for. Let’s see: shirts or skins? Well, since I could care even LESS than previous Pro Bowls as to who wins, no way am I going to watch this travesty.

Maybe they should just continue to the Pro Bowl selection, give the players a free vacation to Hawaii, but just skip the game itself. Given the way the players play,skipping the game wouldn’t be too much different than playing it anyway.

[discostu]

They should cancel it, the probowl is just awful. Of course the ratings beat most of the championship games of other sports, so it won’t be canceled.

[discostu]

The players are OK with canceling it, half the players opt out. He did the draft to try to get some sense of pride in the game and get the players actually playing football. And it won’t work.

[Hatteras]

"Maybe they should make it a flag football game..."

... between "Pro Bowl Cheerleaders"!!!.....

yeah, that's it.... yeah.... in BIKINIS...

aaaand.... ON THE BEACH!!!! Yeah, THAT'S the TICKET!

[peeps36]

If they wanted to make it more competitive they could have paid the winning team twice as much as the losing team. Maybe a winner takes all approach would be a good incentive.

[dfwgator]

As an owner, if I’m paying my stars millions a year, I don’t want them risking my investment on a stupid thing like the Pro Bowl.

[bfh333]

Here’s another aspect...

How about a prowl bowl player on one team hitting a team mate on the other team?

What a great idea! I’m sure no one will be playing hard....

[Dave346]

They already give bonus $$$ to the winners.

This year it’s $53,000 to winners, $26,000 to losers, and $39,500 for anyone missing the game because they’re in the Super Bowl.

[Some Fat Guy in L.A.]

I never bother to watch the Pro Bowl. They should name all-star teams but there is little point to the game.