NFL announces new Pro Bowl Skills showdown: includes game of dodgeball

[soxhop411]

- Airs Thursday, January 26 at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN --

-- Pro Bowlers face off in an AFC vs. NFC skills showdown in Orlando --

-- NFL Legends Captains will lead the Pro Bowlers in unique competitions --

The Pro Bowl Skills Showdown, pitting AFC and NFC All-Stars against each other in unique competitions, will air during Pro Bowl Week on Thursday, January 26 at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN, the NFL announced today.

The Skills Showdown is a part of the re-imagined Pro Bowl Week, culminating in the 2017 Pro Bowl, which features a return to the traditional AFC vs. NFC format following three years using a revised, "unconferenced" structure.

The 2017 Pro Bowl Legends Captains, JEROME BETTIS and RAY LEWIS of the AFC and TONY GONZALEZ and CHARLES WOODSON of the NFC, will lead their respective squads.

Each team in the Skills Showdown will feature a mix of quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, linemen, linebackers, and defensive backs.

Taking place at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando, the Skills Showdown will be produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions, producers of such shows as American Ninja Warrior and Hell’s Kitchen.

Competitions include:

• Epic Pro Bowl Dodgeball: Pro Bowlers will compete in a game of dodgeball.
  
  
• Power Relay Challenge: Four team members will compete in a timed relay race.

• Precision Passing: Two players on each team will battle it out, trying to hit moving targets of varying size and distance.
  
  
• Best Hands: Quarterback and wide receiver duos from each team will show off their skills, connecting on as many pass attempts as possible before time runs out.
  

https://nflcommunications.com/Pages/PRO-BOWL-SKILLS-SHOWDOWN.aspx

I give it better than 50/50 odds that someone tears their ACL playing dodgeball

 

[Dr. Gonzo]

Hopefully the game of dodgeball isn't played in the sand

 

[kenneycb]

Just change it to Battle of the Network Stars and be over with it.

 

[dbn]

Ratings Whaat? THE NFL IS BACK BIGLY! What football fan wouldn't be wooed back to loving the NFL after whateverthef*ck that crap is?!?

 

[allstonite]

Surprised Robert Edwards isn't the honorary AFC captain

 

[54thMA]

https://nflcommunications.com/Pages/PRO-BOWL-SKILLS-SHOWDOWN.aspx

I give it better than 50/50 odds that someone tears their ACL playing dodgeball

I can't believe the NFL has turned this once great, can't miss event into a farce.

When I think "can't miss" sporting events, I think The Boston Marathon, Opening day at Fenway, the finals of the World Cup, the Kentucky Derby, the NCAA Men's basketball final four and the Pro Bowl.

This development ruins the Pro Bowl for me.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

*can't tell if serious meme*

 

[loshjott]

This wouldn't be bad if it replaced the actual game.

 

[mauf]

I'll offer a contrarian view -- this isn't a bad idea.

I never watch the Pro Bowl, but I could definitely see myself watching this dodge ball game. And dodge ball is a staple of every football camp ever -- I'll bet a lot of players would love to play against other world-class athletes.

Obviously, there's a risk of injury, but I doubt it's greater than the risk in other ancillary athletic competitions, and it's probably less than the risk of the game itself.

 

[54thMA]

*can't tell if serious meme*

Yeah...............no.

 

[InstaFace]

They should play against the winners of the pro Dodgeball league, just to watch real athletes clown those guys.

 

[DanoooME]

https://nflcommunications.com/Pages/PRO-BOWL-SKILLS-SHOWDOWN.aspx

I give it better than 50/50 odds that someone tears their ACL playing dodgeball

I give the same odds to a concussion when someone gets hit in the head with a ball.

 

[singaporesoxfan]

I'd like to see the players do Ninja Warrior

 

[Devizier]

Ultimate frisbee is slated for next year.

 

[Dollar]

Ultimate frisbee is slated for next year.

In that case, Shannon Sharpe is going to need to captain the AFC squad.