The NFC Pro Bowl winners put as much emphasis on their agenda to keep the Pro Bowl active, as they did at playing the game. The Pro Bowl seemed more like an NFL quality game, but the blatant pandering to the NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, seemed overly staged.
The NFC dominated the game, showcasing the effectiveness of the NFC quarterbacks, time after time as each quarterback took the helm. The NFC defense, clearly came ready to play the game and the players appeared to seamlessly adapt to each quarterback change. The NFC wins, 62-35. The total game score provided a lot of TD action, which is always crowd pleasing, as long as the touchdowns aren't handouts.
Jan. 28, Fox Sports reports, "If players were coasting this time around, it was less obvious. The AFC just played poorly. And the fans didn't boo; the stands were relatively empty even though the game sold enough tickets to lift a local television blackout."
The NFL players were very vocal in expressing their desire to keep the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Pro Bowl MVP, Minnesota Vikings' Kyle Rudolph, had five catches and racked up 122 yards, stated, "Guys were competing, guys wanted to win and guys want to keep the game here,'' Rudolph insisted. ''That was the point before the game. We want to keep this game rolling for future Pro Bowlers.''
Seattle Seahawks' quarterback, Russell Wilson, with three touchdown completions, expressed his gratitude in being part of the game and he attested to the effort by the NFL players, ''If you watched us, everybody was competing today and it was really awesome.''
New York Giants' Victor Cruz, now holds the Pro bowl record for the most catches in a game, at 10. Cruz scored one touchdown, celebrated with his signature salsa victory dance.
Cruz commented on the game's progress, ''We understood exactly what (Goodell) wanted, guys were making plays all over the field,'' Cruz said. ''There was a little bit more high intensity than in years past and we were excited to play.''
"NFL officials said earlier in the week that the league wants to decide the future of the Pro Bowl by the time next season's schedule is released in April."
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