Posted by Michael David Smith on June 3, 2012, 7:01 AM EDT
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers ripped the effort (or lack thereof) of some of his fellow Pro Bowlers after this year’s game, and the NFL’s decision to bring back the Pro Bowl for at least another year hasn’t changed his mind.
Rodgers told the Green Bay Press-Gazette that he thought the effort most of the guys brought to the game was a joke.
“After the Pro Bowl experience, the things that happened at the hotel, during the week and then in the game, I just thought was so disappointing,” Rodgers said. “Not only myself, the coaching staff that we brought, but to the fans. I mean, I’m sitting there, I bought six tickets as well so I have six people in the stands watching me in the game and I felt I was embarrassed for them so I just felt like it was the right time to say something like that.”
Bart Scott might not like it, but Rodgers is right: The quality of play in the Pro Bowl has grown increasingly poor, and if the players aren’t even going to act interested, there’s little reason to play the game at all.
Rodgers is a true sportsman with the type of competitive nature that was the driving force behind NFL players of days gone by. He needs to be commended for speaking his mind in this matter, but it makes one wonder just what direction the rest of the modern-day league is really heading....
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that Rodgers actually cares about the product on the field, and that the fans get what they pay for.
Deletedid you read what you just read??? "RODGERS IS A TRUE SPORTSMAN..." - Please.... I love the sport of Football... sounds like Rodgers is trying to make the Pro Bowl serious... sounds like he's trying to put an end to the Pro Bowl - DOES THAT SOUND LIKE A TRUE SPORTSMAN??? Yeah, let's get rid of the Pro Bowl... what's next? get rid of Preseason? Playoff Games? Hell, let's get rid of football all together - I like the pro bowl - I like football... Rodgers is too young to understand what he has - every boy playing football that loves football right now would love to be in the NFL - AND WOULD LOVE TO BE SELECTED TO PLAY IN THE PRO BOWL... Rodgers lost that somewhere - and you start out your comment by saying he is a TRUE SPORTSMAN??? You and Rodgers both need to SHUT UP!
DeleteYour the one that needs to shut up! All the Pro Bowl is becoming is a paid trip to Hawaii. If your not going to play the game dont go.
Deleteif they really want too make it meaningful , here is an opportunity for it too be . I in all honesty dont blame the players for sacrificing for a meaningless game , but yet as a fan you do want too see it competitive . Lets not automatically designate it too Hawaii. Lets let it come too a nationwide vote . The vote would come down too two cities every year . The cities in regards would be the cities of the Defensive and Offensive MVP's . That then would place meaning too the game , and give the fans/cities the chance too host the pro bowl which would help with some of its economy . I would then think that the meaning would also have a huge impact on who gets voted into the probowl .
DeleteI totally agree w/Aaron Rodgers. Not that anyone needs an excuse to go to Hawaii for Vacation, but the Pro Bowl in February has always been a dream of mines. My wife did it with her family as a youngster and we decided we'd do it as adults. But after seeing the MISERABLE effort that I witnessed at the last Pro Bowl, entirely squashed my desire to waste time watching a meaningless game that no one(incentives or not)was interested in playing. Not that I don't still plan on going to Hawaii, I'll just go for something more interesting....Hey...... Why not the Lingerie Bowl? It would be just as interesting. Thank you AARON RODGERS for speaking the truth.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't even stomach watching it on television this past year. When they snapped the ball and all the linemen stood just stood up, I was just appalled.
DeleteI can't imagine how mad I would be if I paid for tickets to the game itself.
Hawaii on the other hand, yes please.
hey bonehead, you don't have to watch the pro bowl, so stop using it as an excuse to get out of your honey do list - PLEASE, SOME OF US LIKE FOOTBALL... HELL, SOME OF US LOVE FOOTBALL... THE Pro Bowl is a Fun Game - it's for the players, coaches and fans to enjoy at the END OF THE SEASON (not before the Superbowl).... some of us LOVE THE PRO BOWL... if you don't want to watch it - SHUT UP.... cause if enough people speak up and say they don't like it, it's not going to be around - and then what - you're gonna cry = SO SHUT THE F UP!!!
DeleteI say dump the pro bowl. Players don't want a career ending injury from a meaningless game. If the effort isn't there then don't waste everyone's time.
DeleteI FOR ONE LOVE THE PRO BOWL... the NFL screwed up by F'n with it... they moved it out of Hawaii and then put it before the superbowl.... Tebow was the biggest name kicked around last year and he should of been there..
ReplyDeleteI SAY..... Keep the Pro Bowl as the last game of the season. Keep it in Hawaii....
EVERYONE KNOWS THIS GAME doesn't count, so ROGERS SHUT UP!!! If you don't want to enjoy being with the best players from each team, then JUST DON'T GO - like so many other players.
The Superbowl should be played before the pro bowl because that is what the season is all about.... puting the probowl at the end of the season is for us diehard football fans that don't want the season to end yet and it already has.
the older you get, the more favorite players you have on other teams, so hell yeah, I love the pro bowl because when your favorite players from other teams get to play together - it's so cool - it's like fantasy football.
Rogers, you are one of my favorite players, I want you in the Pro Bowl.... Stop cry'n over it and see the positve side - you get to mingle with star players and get to hang with other coaches - damn.... If I could of been in the NFL I would be talking sooooo good about the Pro Bowl - that's how you get fans.... I remember a couple years back "boring" was a word kicked around by ANNOUNCERS - YOU JUST DON'T DO THAT.... Pro Bowl is meant to be fun, the score doesn't count - but the memories do - I'm a Bronco Fan... I like Brandon Marshall... it was cool to see him get 4 TDs last year.... and now he's on to Chicago to play with another former Bronco = Cutler.... What do I remember about Marshall being in Miami? - nothing.... what do I remember about Marshall being in the Pro Bowl??? good times.... and that's what the Pro Bowl is suppose to be - FUN FOOTBALL.... Rogers, Relax and have fun = hell, next year, let's see you be serious in the pro bowl and start yelling at everyone - YOU ADD SOME EXCITEMENT MR!!! You don't like the Pro Bowl? find a way to like it - or, just find a low paying job that cuts your hours and leaves you jobless - like a lot of us - YOUR FANS - Rogers, you don't know how lucky you have it - so shut up!
I understand your point, especially about job cuts etc.
DeleteI too have great memories of the Pro Bowl as well, but they were years ago, like when Marshall Faulk and Chris Warren competed hard against each other to see who would set the rushing record in that game. It was a crazy fun game, and it was super competitive all the way around.
@Anonymous- You're only talking about the league MVP, Super Bowl winning, record setting face of the best team in football. You're probably a Bears fan anyway, so your opinion doesn't really matter. The Pro Bowl is a joke. Why would anybody want to go out there and sacrifice their body for nothing. When you go to work, assuming you HAVE a job, do you do it for free?
ReplyDeleteRight on! I remember when the pro bowl meant something. Now it is just someplace where the best of the best want to go and screw off on a free vacation. It has lost its way.
DeleteI can just imagine the kind of behavior by some players in the hotels in Hawaii. I have also notice the lack of intensity of the players on the field since I was a kid back in the 60's.I am sure the they do not want to get hurt but I also have to believe it is hard to give your all after intense partying. I love the game and do believe youngsters look up to their favorite players and it is my hope the players realize that aspiring kids are looking up to them. However, it is my opinion that we treat sportmen and other celiberties like royalites but when it comes right down to it they are just like us except they get paid incrediable amount of money for what they do. Sadly, these are the people in society that get the most attention simply because they make alot of money. If it was not for that fact they would not get the recognition that others ought to get by their daily good deeds that help others out of the goodness of their hearts and do it discreetly.
DeleteWhat is the Pro Bowl? There is way too much football on TV the way it is. Let's see more golf or tennis, a real mans game!!!
ReplyDeletereally.....
DeleteMy personal opinion is Aaron is right on target. I quit watching the Pro
ReplyDeleteBowl almost ten yaers ago. It is a joke. I'm not asking anyone to give life or limb here like regular season, but some effort on the players part would certainly make it more enjoyable to watch. In meantime I'll
keep my pail warm on the ice. Tom.
these idiots get paid millions of dollars to play a game... each game should count.
ReplyDeleteso, make the pro bowl count for something. HELLO!
The pro bowl was best when it played a college team in the good old USA not on a island......it was soooooo good that sometimes they played 2.........but not in this day in age,just a free vacation week......
ReplyDeleteI'm with Aaron. I say dump it, it's worthless. They all just getting paid to go on vacation. They all work and have money let them pay for their own damn vacation to Hawaii if they want to go. Not everyone in the world can afford to go there so I find a disgrace the players just standing around doing nothing when people buy tickets to go watch you play and you acting like its nothing to you.
ReplyDelete