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2012 Pro Bowl#Reactions

{{Short description|National Football League all-star game}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}

{{Infobox Pro Bowl

|type=pb

|name=2012

|image=2012 Pro Bowl logo.jpg

|visitor=NFC

|home=AFC

|visitor_qtr1=14

|home_qtr1=14

|visitor_qtr2=14

|home_qtr2=14

|visitor_qtr3=7

|home_qtr3=10

|visitor_qtr4=6

|home_qtr4=21

|date=January 29, 2012

|stadium=Aloha Stadium

|city=Honolulu, Hawaii

|visitor_coach=Mike McCarthy

|visitor_coach_team=Green Bay Packers

|home_coach=Gary Kubiak

|home_coach_team=Houston Texans

|MVP=Brandon Marshall

|MVPteam=Miami Dolphins

|anthem=TSgt Richard Vazquez, USAF

|coin_toss=MG Rodger Mathews, U.S. Army; LtGen Thomas L. Conant, U.S. Marines & Maj Gen Darryll Wong, USAF

|halftime="NFL Salute to Service" (tribute to U.S. Armed Forces)

|referee=Walt Coleman

|attendance=48,423

|network=NBC

|announcers=Dan Hicks, Mike Mayock, Doug Flutie, Alex Flanagan and Randy Moss

|rating=7.9 (nationally)

|share=

}}

The 2012 Pro Bowl was the National Football League's all-star game for the 2011 season. It took place at 2:00 pm local time on Sunday, January 29, 2012, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The AFC defeated the NFC, 59–41.{{cite news|title=Brandon Marshall catches Pro Bowl-record 4 TDs in AFC's win |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=320129031 |access-date=February 6, 2012 |newspaper=ESPN |date=January 29, 2012 |agency=AP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202083430/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=320129031 |archive-date=February 2, 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|title=Marshall's four TD catches lifts AFC in Pro Bowl |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/story/2012-01-29/brandon-marshall-leads-afc-in-pro-bowl/52876682/1 |accessdate=February 6, 2012 |newspaper=USA Today |date=January 30, 2012 |agency=AP |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201203419/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/story/2012-01-29/brandon-marshall-leads-afc-in-pro-bowl/52876682/1 |archivedate=February 1, 2012 |url-status=live }}

The 59 points scored by the AFC team were a Pro Bowl record, and the combined 100 total points was third in the series' history, behind the 2004 Pro Bowl, and the 2024 Pro Bowl Games. Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall was named the game's Most Valuable Player after catching four touchdown passes, breaking the record for touchdown receptions in a Pro Bowl which was set by Jimmy Smith in 2004.

The AFC team was coached by Gary Kubiak of the Houston Texans while Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy led the NFC all-stars.{{cite news|title=Despite defections, plenty of talent still on hand for Pro Bowl |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/despite-defections-plenty-of-talent-still-on-hand-for-pro-bowl/ |access-date=February 6, 2012 |newspaper=Fox News |date=January 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207051735/http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/01/27/despite-defections-plenty-talent-still-on-hand-for-pro-bowl/ |archive-date=February 7, 2012 |url-status=live }} The referee for the game was Walt Coleman.{{cite web|title=2012 Pro Bowl game book |url=http://www.nflgsis.com/2011/Post/05/55503/Gamebook.pdf |work=NFL Game Statistics & Information |publisher=National Football League |accessdate=February 6, 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103061536/http://www.nflgsis.com/2011/Post/05/55503/Gamebook.pdf |archivedate=November 3, 2013 |url-status=live }}

Scoring summary

class="wikitable"

! Scoring Play

! Score

colspan="4" align="center"| 1st quarter
NFC – Larry Fitzgerald 10 yd. pass from Aaron Rodgers (David Akers kick)

| NFC 7–0

NFC – Larry Fitzgerald 44 yd. pass from Aaron Rodgers (David Akers kick)

| NFC 14–0

AFC – A. J. Green 34 yd. pass from Ben Roethlisberger (Sebastian Janikowski kick)

| NFC 14–7

AFC – Brandon Marshall 74 yd. pass from Ben Roethlisberger (Sebastian Janikowski kick)

| Tied 14–14

colspan="4" align="center"| 2nd quarter
NFC – Jimmy Graham 2 yd. pass from Drew Brees (David Akers kick)

| NFC 21–14

AFC – Brandon Marshall 29 yd. pass from Philip Rivers (Sebastian Janikowski kick)

| Tied 21–21

NFC – Greg Jennings 11 yd. pass from Drew Brees (David Akers kick)

| NFC 28–21

AFC – Antonio Gates 27 yd. pass from Philip Rivers (Sebastian Janikowski kick)

| Tied 28–28

colspan="4" align="center"| 3rd quarter
AFC – Sebastian Janikowski 37 yd. Field Goal

| AFC 31–28

NFC – Steve Smith 55 yd. pass from Cam Newton (David Akers kick)

| NFC 35–31

AFC – Brandon Marshall 47 yd. pass from Andy Dalton (Sebastian Janikowski kick)

| AFC 38–35

colspan="4" align="center"| 4th quarter
AFC – Vonta Leach 1 yd. run (Sebastian Janikowski kick)

| AFC 45–35

AFC – Brandon Marshall 3 yd. pass from Andy Dalton (Sebastian Janikowski kick)

| AFC 52–35

AFC – Derrick Johnson 60 yd. Interception Return (Sebastian Janikowski kick)

| AFC 59–35

NFC – Larry Fitzgerald 36 yd. pass from Cam Newton (kick short)Conversion attempt was a drop kick by Drew Brees.

| AFC 59–41

AFC roster

The following players were selected to represent the AFC:{{cite web|title=2012 Pro Bowl rosters |url=http://www.nfl.com/probowl/story/09000d5d82578253/article/2012-pro-bowl-rosters |publisher=National Football League |accessdate=February 6, 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206092955/http://www.nfl.com/probowl/story/09000d5d82578253/article/2012-pro-bowl-rosters |archivedate=February 6, 2012 |date=January 26, 2012 |url-status=live }}

=Offense=

class="wikitable" width=75%

!width=10%|Position

!width=30%|Starter(s)

!width=30%|Reserve(s)

!width=30%|Alternate(s)

align=center|Quarterback

|{{Small|12}} Tom Brady, New England{{Ref label|Super Bowl|e|e}}

|{{Small|  7}} Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh
{{Small|17}} Philip Rivers, San Diego

|{{Small|14}} Andy Dalton, Cincinnati{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}

align=center|Running back

|{{Small|27}} Ray Rice, Baltimore{{Ref label|injury|b|b}}

|{{Small|32}} Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville
{{Small|23}} Arian Foster, Houston{{Ref label|injury|b|b}}

|{{Small|23}} Willis McGahee, Denver{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}
{{Small|24}} Ryan Mathews, San Diego{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}

align=center|Fullback

|{{Small|44}} Vonta Leach, Baltimore

|

|

align=center|Wide receiver

|{{Small|83}} Wes Welker, New England{{Ref label|Super Bowl|e|e}}
{{Small|17}} Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh

|{{Small|18}} A. J. Green, Cincinnati
{{Small|19}} Brandon Marshall, Miami

|{{Small|83}} Vincent Jackson, San Diego{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}, {{Small|85}}

align=center|Tight end

|{{Small|87}} Rob Gronkowski, New England{{Ref label|Super Bowl|e|e}}

|{{Small|85}} Antonio Gates, San Diego

|{{Small|84}} Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}

align=center|Offensive tackle

|{{Small|73}} Joe Thomas, Cleveland
{{Small|77}} Jake Long, Miami{{Ref label|injury|b|b}}

|{{Small|60}} D'Brickashaw Ferguson, N.Y. Jets

|{{Small|78}} Ryan Clady, Denver{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}

align=center|Offensive guard

|{{Small|70}} Logan Mankins, New England{{Ref label|Super Bowl|e|e}}
{{Small|54}} Brian Waters, New England{{Ref label|Super Bowl|e|e}}

|{{Small|73}} Marshal Yanda, Baltimore

|{{Small|65}} Brandon Moore, N.Y. Jets{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}
{{Small|66}} Ben Grubbs, Baltimore{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}

align=center|Center

|{{Small|53}} Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh{{Ref label|injury|b|b}}

|{{Small|74}} Nick Mangold, N.Y. Jets

|{{Small|55}} Chris Myers, Houston{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}

=Defense=

class="wikitable" width=75%

!width=10%|Position

!width=30%|Starter(s)

!width=30%|Reserve(s)

!width=30%|Alternate(s)

align=center|Defensive end

|{{Small|93}} Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis
{{Small|93}} Andre Carter, New England{{Ref label|injury|b|b}}{{Ref label|Super Bowl|e|e}}

|{{Small|58}} Elvis Dumervil, Denver{{Ref label|starter|c|c}}

|{{Small|94}} Antonio Smith, Houston{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}

align=center|Defensive tackle

|{{Small|92}} Haloti Ngata, Baltimore{{Ref label|injury|b|b}}
{{Small|75}} Vince Wilfork, New England{{Ref label|Super Bowl|e|e}}

|{{Small|92}} Richard Seymour, Oakland

|{{Small|97}} Geno Atkins, Cincinnati{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}
{{Small|96}} Paul Soliai, Miami{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}

align=center|Outside linebacker

|{{Small|55}} Terrell Suggs, Baltimore{{Ref label|injury|b|b}}
{{Small|58}} Von Miller, Denver

|{{Small|91}} Tamba Hali, Kansas City

|{{Small|92}} James Harrison, Pittsburgh{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}

align=center|Inside linebacker

|{{Small|52}} Ray Lewis, Baltimore

|{{Small|56}} Derrick Johnson, Kansas City

|

align=center|Cornerback

|{{Small|24}} Darrelle Revis, N.Y. Jets
{{Small|24}} Champ Bailey, Denver

|{{Small|24}} Johnathan Joseph, Houston

|

align=center|Free safety

|{{Small|20}} Ed Reed, Baltimore{{Ref label|injury|b|b}}

|{{Small|32}} Eric Weddle, San Diego

|{{Small|25}} Ryan Clark, Pittsburgh{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}

align=center|Strong safety

|{{Small|43}} Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh{{Ref label|injury|b|b}}

|

|{{Small|20}} Brian Dawkins, Denver{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}

=Special teams=

class="wikitable" width=75%

!width=10%|Position

!width=30%|Starter(s)

!width=30%|Reserve(s)

!width=30%|Alternate(s)

align=center|Punter

|{{Small|  9}} Shane Lechler, Oakland

|

|

align=center|Placekicker

|{{Small|11}} Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland

|

|

align=center|Kick returner

|{{Small|84}} Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh

|

|

align=center|Special teamer

|{{Small|18}} Matthew Slater, New England{{Ref label|Super Bowl|e|e}}

|

|{{Small|24}} Montell Owens, Jacksonville{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}

align=center|Long snapper

|{{small|59}} Jon Condo, Oakland{{Ref label|need|d|d}}

|

|

NFC roster

The following players were selected to represent the NFC:

=Offense=

class="wikitable" width=75%

!width=10%|Position

!width=30%|Starter(s)

!width=30%|Reserve(s)

!width=30%|Alternate(s)

align=center|Quarterback

|{{Small|12}} Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay

|{{Small|  9}} Drew Brees, New Orleans
{{Small|10}} Eli Manning, N.Y. Giants {{Ref label|Super Bowl|e|e}}

|{{Small|1}} Cam Newton, Carolina{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}

align=center|Running back

|{{Small|25}} LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia

|{{Small|22}} Matt Forte, Chicago
{{Small|21}} Frank Gore, San Francisco{{Ref label|injury|b|b}}

{{Small|24}} Marshawn Lynch, Seattle{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}
align=center|Fullback

|{{Small|30}} John Kuhn, Green Bay{{Ref label|injury|b|b}}

|

|{{Small|26}} Michael Robinson, Seattle{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}

align=center|Wide receiver

|{{Small|81}} Calvin Johnson, Detroit{{Ref label|injury|b|b}}
{{Small|11}} Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona

|{{Small|89}} Steve Smith, Carolina
{{Small|85}} Greg Jennings, Green Bay

|{{Small|84}} Roddy White, Atlanta{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}

align=center|Tight end

|{{Small|80}} Jimmy Graham, New Orleans

|{{Small|88}} Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta

|

align=center|Offensive tackle

|{{Small|71}} Jason Peters, Philadelphia
{{Small|74}} Joe Staley, San Francisco

|{{Small|74}} Jermon Bushrod, New Orleans

|

align=center|Offensive guard

|{{Small|73}} Jahri Evans, New Orleans
{{Small|77}} Carl Nicks, New Orleans

|{{Small|75}} Davin Joseph, Tampa Bay

|

align=center|Center

|{{Small|67}} Ryan Kalil, Carolina

|{{Small|63}} Scott Wells, Green Bay

|

=Defense=

class="wikitable" width=75%

!width=10%|Position

!width=30%|Starter(s)

!width=30%|Reserve(s)

!width=30%|Alternate(s)

align=center|Defensive end

|{{Small|69}} Jared Allen, Minnesota
{{Small|93}} Jason Babin, Philadelphia

|{{Small|90}} Jason Pierre-Paul, N.Y. Giants{{Ref label|Super Bowl|e|e}}

|{{Small|90}} Julius Peppers, Chicago{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}

align=center|Defensive tackle

|{{Small|94}} Justin Smith, San Francisco
{{Small|90}} Jay Ratliff, Dallas

|{{Small|90}} B. J. Raji, Green Bay

|

align=center|Outside linebacker

|{{Small|94}} DeMarcus Ware, Dallas
{{Small|52}} Clay Matthews, Green Bay

|{{Small|55}} Lance Briggs, Chicago{{Ref label|injury|b|b}}

|{{Small|52}} Chad Greenway, Minnesota{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}

align=center|Inside linebacker

|{{Small|52}} Patrick Willis, San Francisco

|{{Small|54}} Brian Urlacher, Chicago{{Ref label|injury|b|b}}

|{{Small|59}} London Fletcher, Washington{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}

align=center|Cornerback

|{{Small|21}} Charles Woodson, Green Bay
{{Small|22}} Carlos Rogers, San Francisco{{Ref label|injury|b|b}}

|{{Small|33}} Charles Tillman, Chicago

|{{Small|39}} Brandon Browner, Seattle{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}

align=center|Free safety

|{{Small|29}} Earl Thomas, Seattle

|{{Small|38}} Dashon Goldson, San Francisco{{Ref label|injury|b|b}}

|{{Small|31}} Kam Chancellor, Seattle{{Ref label|replacement|a|a}}

align=center|Strong safety

|{{Small|24}} Adrian Wilson, Arizona

|

|

=Special teams=

class="wikitable" width=75%

!width=10%|Position

!width=30%|Starter(s)

!width=30%|Reserve(s)

!width=30%|Alternate(s)

align=center|Punter

|{{Small|  4}} Andy Lee, San Francisco

|

|

align=center|Placekicker

|{{Small|  2}} David Akers, San Francisco

|

|

align=center|Kick returner

|{{Small|21}} Patrick Peterson, Arizona

|

|

align=center|Special teamer

|{{Small|21}} Corey Graham, Chicago

|

|

align=center|Long snapper

|{{Small|86}} Brian Jennings, San Francisco{{Ref label|need|d|d}}

|

|

Notes:

:bold player who participated in game

:{{note label|replacement|a|a}}Replacement selection due to injury or vacancy

:{{note label|injury|b|b}}Injured player; selected but will not play

:{{note label|starter|c|c}}Replacement starter; selected as reserve

:{{note label|need|d|d}}"Need player"; named by coach

:{{note label|Super Bowl|e|e}}Selected but did not play because his team advanced to Super Bowl XLVI

Number of selections per team

border=0
valign="top"

|

{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"

|+ American Football Conference

TeamSelections
New England Patriots9
Baltimore Ravens8
Pittsburgh Steelers7
Denver Broncos6
San Diego Chargers5
Houston Texans4
New York Jets4
Oakland Raiders4
Cincinnati Bengals4
Miami Dolphins3
Indianapolis Colts2
Jacksonville Jaguars2
Kansas City Chiefs2
Cleveland Browns1
Buffalo Bills0
Tennessee Titans0

| style="padding-left:50px;" |

class="wikitable sortable" border="1"

|+ National Football Conference

TeamSelections
San Francisco 49ers9
Green Bay Packers7
Chicago Bears6
New Orleans Saints5
Seattle Seahawks5
Arizona Cardinals3
Carolina Panthers3
Philadelphia Eagles3
Atlanta Falcons2
Dallas Cowboys2
Minnesota Vikings2
New York Giants2
Detroit Lions1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers1
Washington Redskins1
St. Louis Rams0

|}

Broadcasting

The game was televised nationally by NBC. The telecast of the game garnered a Nielsen rating of 7.9 nationally.{{cite news|last=Karp |first=Austin |title=Overnight Ratings: NFL Pro Bowl On NBC Gets 7.9, Down 8% From '11 |url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2012/01/30/Research-and-Ratings/Overnights.aspx |accessdate=February 1, 2012 |newspaper=Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal |date=January 30, 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424063812/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2012/01/30/Research-and-Ratings/Overnights.aspx |archivedate=April 24, 2012 |url-status=live }} While this represented an eight percent drop over the 2011 Pro Bowl ratings, the game was still the second most watched Pro Bowl of the past twelve years.{{cite news|last=Lewis |first=Fred |title=Pro Bowl grabs 12.5 million viewers in second-best showing |url=http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/138347999.html |accessdate=February 1, 2012 |newspaper=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |date=January 30, 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202111237/http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/138347999.html |archivedate=February 2, 2012 |url-status=live }} The game drew more viewers than the 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. NBC also broadcast the 2013 game as Super Bowl broadcaster CBS had declined to carry it.

Social media

The NFL loosened its rules which forbid players from communicating via social media during games, by setting up a computer on each sideline to allow players to use Twitter.{{cite news|title=NFL to allow Twitter during Pro Bowl |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7503314/nfl-allow-players-tweet-pro-bowl |access-date=February 6, 2012 |newspaper=ESPN |date=January 25, 2012 |agency=Associated Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129033556/http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7503314/nfl-allow-players-tweet-pro-bowl |archive-date=January 29, 2012 |url-status=live }} Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher used the occasion to propose a contest among his Twitter followers to predict the game's final score and MVP. However, the NFL had him rescind the offer and he instead gave away a signed jersey instead of cash, presumably on anti-gambling grounds.{{cite news|last=Ford |first=Rebecca |title=Pro Bowl 2012: Did the Twitter Experiment Work? |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/pro-bowl-2012-twitter-nfl-285816 |accessdate=February 6, 2012 |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 30, 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203070045/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/pro-bowl-2012-twitter-nfl-285816 |archivedate=February 3, 2012 |url-status=live }}

Entertainment

The pop band Hot Chelle Rae played during the pregame ceremonies for the game.{{cite web|title=NFL Pro Bowl Calendar |url=http://espn1420am.com/includes/news_items/3/news_items_more.php?id=1281§ion_id=3 |publisher=ESPN 1420 |accessdate=February 1, 2012 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240525171727/https://www.webcitation.org/65886TB0j?url=http://espn1420am.com/includes/news_items/3/news_items_more.php%3Fid=1281§ion_id=3 |archivedate=May 25, 2024 |url-status=live }} United States Air Force Technical Sergeant Richard Vazquez sang the national anthem before the kickoff.{{cite web|title=Midland Native Performs National Anthem at NFL Pro Bowl |date=January 31, 2012 |url=http://www.newswest9.com/story/16635345/midland-native-performs-national-anthem-at-pro-bowl |publisher=NewsWest9 |accessdate=February 1, 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103151059/http://www.newswest9.com/story/16635345/midland-native-performs-national-anthem-at-pro-bowl |archivedate=November 3, 2013 |url-status=live }} Several representatives of the U.S. Armed Forces participated in the coin toss ceremony: Major General Rodger Mathews, U.S. Army Pacific deputy commander; Lieutenant General Thomas L. Conant, U.S. Marine Corps Pacific command deputy commander and USAF Major General Darryll Wong, adjutant general of the Hawaii Air National Guard.{{cite web|title=NFL pays tribute to U.S. military during 2012 Pro Bowl |url=http://media.myfoxorlando.com/photogalleries/012912-pro-bowl/1/lg/516113.htm |publisher=MyFox Orlando |accessdate=February 1, 2012 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120717231505/http://media.myfoxorlando.com/photogalleries/012912-pro-bowl/1/lg/516113.htm |archivedate=July 17, 2012 |url-status=live }} The halftime show, "NFL Salute to Service," was a tribute to the United States Armed Forces featuring the U.S. Army Silent Drill Team along with over a thousand service members stationed at bases in Hawaii.{{cite web|title=2012 NFL Pro Bowl activities & game day parking |url=http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/16620655/2012-nfl-pro-bowl-activities-game-day-parking |publisher=Hawaii News Now |accessdate=February 1, 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120131184318/http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/16620655/2012-nfl-pro-bowl-activities-game-day-parking |archivedate=January 31, 2012 |url-status=live }}

Reactions

Simon Samano of NFL.com wrote about the game, "Players love the trip to Hawaii but don't care for the game itself. They have no desire to risk injury in a 'meaningless' game, which is why they don't play hard, which is how you end up with 59–41 as the final score. It's that lack of effort that caused fans to boo during portions of this year's game."{{cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/rodgers-pro-bowl-mates-embarrassed-themselves-09000d5d8267c5e9 |title=Rodgers: Pro Bowl 'mates 'embarrassed themselves' |last=Samano |first=Simon |date=January 31, 2012 |publisher=NFL |access-date=February 8, 2012}} Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers stated on his radio show, "I was just surprised that some of the guys either didn’t want to play or when they were in there didn't put any effort into it."{{cite news |url=http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20120131/PKR01/120131168/Green-Bay-Packers-quarterback-Aaron-Rodgers-disappointed-in-how-some-Pro-Bowl-teammates-played |title=Rodgers 'disappointed' in how some Pro Bowl teammates played |last=Copeland |first=Kareem |date=January 31, 2012 |work=Green Bay Press-Gazette |accessdate=February 8, 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The Pro Bowl has different rules than a regular season NFL game. Blitzing is not allowed and the 4–3 formation must always be used in defensive formations.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, speaking a week after the game, stated that the 2012 Pro Bowl wasn't "the kind of football we want to be demonstrating to our fans, and you heard it from the fans, the fans were actively booing in the stands. ... We are going to either have to improve the quality of what we are doing in the Pro Bowl or consider other changes, or even consider eliminating the game if that is the kind of quality of game we are going to provide."{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/02/05/SPIH1N3ESM.DTL |title=NFL commissioner disappointed with Pro Bowl |agency=Associated Press |date=February 6, 2012 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |accessdate=February 8, 2012}}

Philip Rivers also questioned some of the players efforts in the Pro Bowl game. Rivers discussed with Bill Williamson during an interview “In general, maybe the whole week should be up for discussion, but I know there are guys in the game whose contracts may be up and they don’t want to get hurt and things like that. Still, we have to think of the fans and try to stay true to the game and not make a joke or a mockery out of the game."{{cite web|last=Williamson|first=Bill|title=Rivers discusses Pro Bowl-effort stir|date=February 2012|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/afcwest/post?id=39462|publisher=ESPN |access-date=February 9, 2012}}

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

External links

  • [http://www.nfl.com/probowl Official Pro Bowl website at NFL.com]

{{2011 NFL season by team}}

{{Pro Bowl}}

{{NFL on NBC}}

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