NFL ends the Pro Bowl game, but players will still be honored as Pro Bowlers

ATLANTA (AP) – The Pro Bowl is no more, the NFL confirmed Wednesday, ending an exhibition of the league's top players that was held in some form almost every year since 1951.

Key points

• The game wasn't played in 2021 since of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that was the only pause in the postseason event.
• The league remarked 88 players will still be named as Pro Bowlers and honored in Los Angeles after this season.
• "The Pro Bowl has always been about recognizing the players who distinguish themselves as the very best in the NFL, " O'Reilly remarked in an official note.
• "It's OK to be the first league to walk away from a competitive all-star game, " NFL executive vice president Peter O'Reilly remarked at the owners' gathering in Atlanta.

Meanwhile, the game wasn't played in 2021 since of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that was the only pause in the postseason event.

Meanwhile, the league remarked 88 players will still be named as Pro Bowlers and honored in Los Angeles after this season. A number of flag football events additionally will take place at that time.

"The Pro Bowl has always been about recognizing the players who distinguish themselves as the very best in the NFL, " O'Reilly remarked in an official note. "A Pro Bowl selection will return to its original purpose, honoring the best of the best. We want that distinction to carry even greater meaning for the players, their families, their clubs and our fans."

Taken together, the developments around NFL ends the Pro Bowl game, but players will still be honored point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.