San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has been named the NFC’s starting quarterback in the Pro Bowl after receiving more votes than any other NFL player. Purdy is one of eight 49ers players selected for the game.

Purdy rose to prominence last year when he stepped into the starting role in San Francisco after two injuries ahead of him on the depth chart. The last overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, “Mr. Irrelevant” led the team capably all the way to the NFC Championship game. He suffered an elbow injury early on in that contest, effectively ending the 49ers’ season.

In 2023, Purdy recovered rapidly from injury and managed to start the season at quarterback. In 16 starts, he threw for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns, leading the 49ers to a 13-3 record and No. 1 seed in the NFC for the playoffs. There was extensive speculation that he could be named the league MVP, though that talk died down after a poor performance against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.

Purdy is one of eight 49ers players who have been named to the Pro Bowl. He will be joined by teammates Christian McCaffrey (running back), George Kittle (tight end), Kyle Juszczyk (full back), Trent Williams (tackle), Nick Bosa (defensive lineman), Javon Hargrove (defensive lineman), Fred Warner (linebacker) and Charvarius Ward (cornerback).

Purdy and McCaffrey dominated fan voting, receiving the first and second most votes, respectively. Purdy was also the first 49ers quarterback to make a Pro Bowl since Jeff Garcia in 2002.

Because San Francisco clinched the first seed in the NFC last weekend, Purdy will not play in Week 18. The quarterback receives an extra week to recover from two stinger injuries that have hindered him slightly toward the end of the season.

“Brock is the only guy I know for sure I don’t plan on playing,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “You can rest seven guys if nobody is hurt if you get two practice squad guys up. We have at least six guys injured right now, so I only know for sure we can rest one. I went with our starting quarterback.”

While Major League Baseball’s rule changes recently have improved fan engagement across the board early in the 2023 season, this progress did not transfer well to the league’s premier mid-season event. This year’s All-Star Game received the lowest ratings ever recorded, dipping below the previous low set in 2022.

According to Sports Media Watch, an outlet tracking sports viewership, “Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game averaged a record-low 3.9 rating and 7.01 million viewers on FOX (7.09M across all platforms), down 7% from the previous lows set last year (4.2, 7.51M).” Though it is a sign of stagnating public sentiment about All-Star Games in general, it does not seem to reflect attention toward baseball as a whole, which has increased in 2023.

Though this year’s All-Star Game received the lowest rating ever, it still received more viewers than any other American sport’s version of the event (Pro Bowl, NBA All-Star Game, etc.). Moreover, viewers in younger demographics have expressed an increased willingness to watch the sport after league officials instituted rules to make games faster. Attendance and local ratings have both increased moderately on average across the league.

Instead of marking a failure for MLB, less attention on the All-Star Game mirrors a similar lack of care in the concept itself. Likely due to a lack of physicality and decreased injury risk, MLB typically hosts a more competitive all-star event, and Tuesday’s 3-2 game lived up to the billing. Other leagues, namely the NBA and NFL, have tinkered endlessly with their formats to make all-star events more entertaining, adopting schoolyard-esque rules to embrace the casual nature of the event and promote interpersonal competition. Oddly enough, however, MLB’s steadfastness to a traditional game between its two leagues still outpaces its competitors.

Problems with all-star games in sports have been listed ad nauseam by this point and include a lack of player participation, lack of competition and overall meaninglessness. The larger problem, however, is that these events are integral to many traditional sporting schedules, preceding the Super Bowl in the NFL and serving as mid-season markers for the NBA, NHL and MLB. Officials have tried and failed to refresh the events and replacing them seems impossible.

While MLB struggles to crack the code on the All-Star Game, its improvements to regular season play have made a difference early on. The second half of the season should usher in even greater returns as the playoff race intensifies in many divisions.

The Tennessee Titans announced Wednesday that they had released offensive tackle Taylor Lewan. Lewan has played for Tennessee since 2014 and appeared in three straight Pro Bowls between 2016 and 2018.

“Thank you to every single Titan fan,” Lewan tweeted. “Whether you loved me or hated me all I’ve ever wanted was to make this city proud and help bring back a franchise.”

https://twitter.com/TaylorLewan77/status/1628487674964152321?s=20

On Feb. 10, Lewan said that he expected the Titans to release him and that he would consider retirement if that were to occur. The tackle suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 last year, and persisting health issues are a likely motivating factor for his retirement considerations.

But on a January episode of Bussin With the Boys, a podcast he runs with former teammate Will Compton, Lewan also expressed interest in continuing his career with the Los Angeles Rams.

“I think the L.A. Rams are a team I’d be interested in,” Lewan said. “I think L.A. would be cool because (Neal) ElAttrache is their doctor … I think Sean McVay is a f——- stud. And I think it’d be a lot of fun there too.”

Lewan’s future in the NFL may be unclear, but his role in the Titans’ offense over the past nine seasons has been integral. After four seasons of college football at the University of Michigan, the Titans selected Lewan with the 11th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He became the team’s starting right tackle in 2015.

Between 2016 and 2018, Lewan became an indispensable blocker for the Titans, helping running back DeMarco Murray rush for 1,287 yards in 2016. He later blocked for Derrick Henry, who took over for Murray as the Titans’ lead rusher and blossomed into one of the best running backs in the NFL. In 2020, Henry bought his offensive lineman a pair of luxury sneakers, a clear indicator of Lewan’s importance to his success.

Following his release Wednesday, the Titans released a tribute video thanking Lewan for his tenure with the team.

Eight Philadelphia Eagles players have been invited to the 2022 Pro Bowl, a league-leading number this season for the 13-1 NFC powerhouse. Six of them have been named as starters at their respective positions, more than the number invited by all but three other teams in the NFL.

In the NFL’s roster announcement Wednesday, the league revealed that quarterback Jalen Hurts, wide receiver A.J. Brown, tackle Lane Johnson, guard Landon Dickerson, center Jason Kelce and cornerback Darius Slay would all start for the NFC in the Pro Bowl. Running back Miles Sanders and outside linebacker Haason Reddick were also named as reserves.

“I’m blessed. I still have a lot more to do. It feels great to have people recognize my talent and the work I’ve done this year, but I and we still have a lot more work to do,” Brown said after the announcement.

Behind the Eagles’ eight players in this year’s game, only the Kansas City Chiefs have seven, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce. The Ravens and 49ers each had six players selected while the Vikings had five.

Only two teams — the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars — did not receive a single invite. Many consider Bears quarterback Justin Fields to be one of the biggest snubs in 2022, though few have argued that he should have replaced Hurts.

As the league’s top team, the Eagles’ eight Pro Bowl selections make sense, as the team has proven superior on both sides of the ball during the regular season. Hurts and Brown have quickly become one of the deadliest duos in the league in less than one full season behind one of the league’s stoutest offensive lines. Meanwhile, defensive contributors like Slay and Reddick have helped hold Philadelphia’s opponents to just 19.1 points per game in 2022, sixth best in the NFL.

“It’s cool,” Kelce said. “Hopefully, we’re busier at that time of the year than having any of us go to the Pro Bowl.”

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara was arrested in Las Vegas on Sunday evening and charged with battery that officials say caused “substantial bodily harm” to the victim.

The incident happened at a nightclub on Saturday.

Kamara is scheduled to appear before a judge at 1:30 p.m. local time Monday, with his bond set at $5,000.

The arrest happened a mere hours after Kamara played in the NFL’s 2022 Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium.

It was Kamara’s fifth trip to the Pro Bowl in his fifth NFL season.

A game ripe with scoring and turnovers—seven of each, in fact—the 2022 Pro Bowl at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium delivered exactly what everyone expected as the AFC notched its fifth straight victory, 41-35, in the penultimate game of the NFL season.

Colts linebacker Darius Leonard took a Kyler Murray interception to pay dirt on the sixth play of the game, and the AFC never trailed the rest of the afternoon.

The Pro Bowl is notorious for lacking big hits, but not big picks. Quarterbacks Murray, Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson and Patrick Mahomes all threw interceptions in the first quarter, with Mahomes’ also being returned for a score.

Cousins was stripped by T.J. Watt on the first play of the second quarter, also resulting in a Myles Garrett touchdown. Mac Jones also threw a pick, and Wilson threw another.

Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby, making his Pro Bowl debut, batted down three Murray passes in the first half and sacked Cousins, finishing with five tackles, three for a loss, two sacks, three passes defenses and the Most Valuable Defensive Player award.

Justin Herbert, also making his Pro Bowl debut, was the only QB without a first-half interception; he was 7 of 10 for 98 yards and hit Ravens tight end Mark Andrews for a pair of scores before finally succumbing to the interception monster on his final toss of the second half. He took home Offensive MVP honors.

Also making its debut was the experimental fourth-and-15-alternative-to-the-kickoff rule, which allows a scoring team the option to convert a fourth-and-15 play from its own 25 in lieu of trying an onside kick. The experiment needs some tinkering, as the teams went a combined 0 for 8 on such plays. That doesn’t bode well for its potential inclusion in regular-season games.

The penultimate NFL game of the year is back after a Covid-related one-year hiatus. On Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, the stars of the AFC will take on their NFC counterparts at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.

The 2022 iteration of the Pro Bowl will feature something a little different: No kickoffs. The NFL in the past has used the exhibition to tinker with rules, and this season’s showcase will be no different.

The coin toss will become “Spot and Choose,” with the winner of the toss having the option of spotting the ball anywhere on the field while designating direction, or choosing whether to start on offense or defense from the designated spot. The other team will have the first choice between the two privileges to begin the second half.

If it’s a success, don’t be surprised to see it in future regular-season games.

What else to watch for:

Deebo Samuel. The San Francisco 49ers star this season became the first player in league history to top 1,400 receiving yards and 300 rushing yards in a single year. In addition, he topped 100 all-purpose yards in all three postseason games. Don’t miss what he’s bound to do in the Pro Bowl.

Diggs X 2: In another first, two siblings will be facing off in the game—Buffalo receiver Stefon and Dallas defensive back Trevon.

Trevon’s 11 interceptions were the most in a season in 40 years, even more than the career-high 10 touchdowns Stefon hauled in in 2021. Any passes thrown their way are often caught. The question Sunday will be which Diggs will come down with them. Look for any passes headed their way to be caught.

New Breed of QBs: Kyler Murray looked like the MVP through the first half of the season, while Justin Herbert appeared as such for the second straight year. Neither finished the season how they wanted, but the future under center looks bright.

The Pro-Bowl selections are in and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady did not make the cut. For the first time since 2008, Brady has been excluded from selection, most likely due to a trying season from the Patriots’ offense, who has clung to the shoulders of the defense for most, if not all, of the season thus far.

Brady remains tied with Peyton Manning, Tony Gonzalez, Bruce Matthews and Merlin Olsen for most career Pro Bowl selections with 14, with this stunting another record Brady could put under his belt.

The AFC quarterback representation will see the likes of Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, and Houston Texans’ Deshaun Watson.

Despite being a 14 time Pro Bowl selection, Brady has not participated in the event since 2005.

Brady and the Patriots offense have averaged just 17.6 points in the last five games. Brady doesn’t rank particularly high among quarterbacks, sitting 20th in passer rating (86.5), 28th in yards per attempt (6.5) and 29th in completion percentage (60.1%).

SLIDESHOW: 50 GREAT SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019

Former Patriots teammate Brandon Spikes said that Brady once told him, “You think I play this (expletive) to go to Pro Bowls?”

As the Patriots sit 11-3 this season, Brady and the offense look to improve, facing the Buffalo Bills this weekend. New England’s sights are set on trying to clinch the division for the 11th straight year.

Buffalo (10-4) will head to New England to take on the favored Patriots at Gillette Stadium in what will be an exciting AFC East matchup.

2020 Pro Bowl Selection Roster by Team

AFC

Baltimore Ravens (12): TE Mark Andrews, LS Morgan Cox*, CB Marlon Humphrey, RB Mark Ingram, QB Lamar Jackson*, OLB Matt Judon, CB Marcus Peters, FB Patrick Ricard*, OT Ronnie Stanley*, SS Earl Thomas, PK Justin Tucker*, G Marshal Yanda*

Buffalo Bills (1): CB Tre’Davious White*

Cincinnati Bengals (1): DT Geno Atkins

Cleveland Browns (2): RB Nick Chubb*, WR Jarvis Landry

Denver Broncos (1): OLB Von Miller*

Houston Texans (3): WR DeAndre Hopkins*, OT Laremy Tunsil*, QB Deshaun Watson

Indianapolis Colts (2): ILB Darius Leonard*, G Quenton Nelson*

Jacksonville Jaguars (1): DE Calais Campbell

Kansas City Chiefs (6): DE Frank Clark*, RS Mecole Hardman*, WR Tyreek Hill, DT Chris Jones*, TE Travis Kelce*, QB Patrick Mahomes

Los Angeles Chargers (2): WR Keenan Allen*, DE Joey Bosa*

New England Patriots (3): CB Stephon Gilmore*; ILB Dont’a Hightower; ST Matthew Slater*

New York Jets (1): SS Jamal Adams*

Oakland Raiders (2): OT Trent Brown, C Rodney Hudson

Pittsburgh Steelers (5): G David DeCastro, FS Minkah Fitzpatrick*, DT Cameron Heyward*, C Maurkice Pouncey*, OLB T.J. Watt*

Tennessee Titans (2): RB Derrick Henry, P Brett Kern*

NFC

Arizona Cardinals (2): FS Budda Baker*, OLB Chandler Jones*

Atlanta Falcons (2): DT Grady Jarrett, WR Julio Jones*

Carolina Panthers (2): ILB Luke Kuechly, RB Christian McCaffrey

Chicago Bears (3): FS Eddie Jackson, OLB Khalil Mack*, ST Cordarrelle Patterson*

Dallas Cowboys (4): RB Ezekiel Elliott, C Travis Frederick, G Zack Martin*, OT Tyron Smith*

Detroit Lions (1): CB Darius Slay

Green Bay Packers (2): OT David Bakhtiari*, QB Aaron Rodgers

Los Angeles Rams (2): DT Aaron Donald*, CB Jalen Ramsey

Minnesota Vikings (3): RB Dalvin Cook*, DE Danielle Hunter, SS Harrison Smith*

New Orleans Saints (7): OT Terron Armstead, QB Drew Brees, RS Deonte Harris*, DE Cameron Jordan*, CB Marshon Lattimore*, PK Wil Lutz*, WR Michael Thomas*

Philadelphia Eagles (5): G Brandon Brooks*, DT Fletcher Cox*, TE Zach Ertz, C Jason Kelce*, LS Rick Lovato*

San Francisco 49ers (4): DE Nick Bosa*, FB Kyle Juszczyk*, TE George Kittle*, CB Richard Sherman*

Seattle Seahawks (2): ILB Bobby Wagner*, QB Russell Wilson*

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3): OLB Shaquil Barrett, WR Mike Evans, WR Chris Godwin

Washington Redskins (2): G Brandon Scherff, P Tress Way*

* Indicates starter

The 2019 Pro Bowl was actually attention-grabbing this year. Normally, the event isn’t circled on any calendars. I have a tough time imagining someone tuning in to see the game, nevermind taking the trek to Hawaii and paying for the tickets. However, that might change after this year.

Patrick mahomes, AFC Win 2019 Pro Bowl

Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan arrived for the game still fuming over the referees’ missed call in the NFC championship game. His shirt read, “Blow whistles not games” on one side and “Make calls not apologies” on the other.

That bold statement by Jordan is not to say the game itself was boring. Dee Ford, who cost his team a Super Bowl appearance this year because he lined up offsides, did it again at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. But this time, he backed up before the ball was snapped.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

Dee Ford lines up offsides

Don’t think anyone got upset this time at Ford. By the fourth quarter, Alvin Kamara, the New Orleans Saints running back, was playing defense. Kamara almost had a strip sack on Deshaun Watson before he realized at the last second it was the Pro Bowl and no one tries that hard. He then celebrated with Giants running back Saquon Barkley, who was also playing defense.

Barkley wasn’t the only NFC East running back that lined up on the other side of the ball. Cowboys coach Jason Garrett threw Ezekiel Elliot out onto the field during the third quarter. The fans and Garrett seemed to love it.

And if that wasn’t enough of the Pro Bowl, there was still the trophy presentation. That, as is typical Pro Bowl fashion, fell flat on its face. Jason Witten accidentally broke the trophy as he presented it. The thing just separated as if it was held together with Elmer’s Glue. Even the NFL doesn’t really care about the Pro Bowl. Also, take a look at Jets safety Jamal Adams when the trophy breaks.

Adams also won Pro Bowl MVP. It was the first time in the Super Bowl era a safety won the award. That’s not to say it matters, it’s still the equivalent of being the kid who plays all out in PE class, but congrats to him.

After the game, the 2017 quarterback draft class came together and reminisced. Scouts called it a historically weak year but just two seasons later, three quarterbacks from the class made it to the Pro Bowl. Patrick Mahomes and Mitch Trubisky joined Watson after the game for a picture.

Also, the AFC beat the NFC 26-7. Here’s to hoping for another potentially exciting Pro Bowl in 2020.

Just a few months ago, Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker was heavily dismissed for claiming he could score an 84-yard field goal in the right conditions.

Ravens’ Justin Tucker Makes 75-Yard Field Goal At Pro Bowl Practice

On Wednesday, at practice for Sunday’s Pro Bowl, he made one from just a few yards shy of that mark.

Tucker nailed a 75-yard field goal that hooked inside the left upright at practice in Orlando, Florida. Unsurprisingly elated, the kicker couldn’t help but post a video his accomplishment on Twitter:

There were factors that made the kick slightly simpler for Tucker. First, he is kicking off a tee (so nobody is rushing), and second, the kick came on a strong tailwind (evidenced by the flags atop the goalposts).

Still, the 75-yard boot meant he kicked the ball from his own 35-yard line. That remains impressive, considering the NFL record for the longest field goal is 64 yards.

Tucker made 38 of 39 attempts this season– his only miss coming on a block against the New England Patriots in December. He was also 10-for-10 from 50 yards or more, which tied an NFL record. He also made all 27 extra-point attempts.

His career-long is a 61-yard field goal, and he also made a 69-yarder during training camp last year.

The Pro Bowl will be held in Orland on Sunday night.

Tucker is also an accomplished opera singer. He once received a standing ovation after performing with the Concert Artists of Baltimore.

BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 4: Kicker Justin Tucker #9 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after kicking a second quarter field goal against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

ESPN sources confirmed Thursday that the Pro Bowl will be moving from Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii to the Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando, Florida next season.

NFL Pro Bowl Moving From Honolulu to Orlando Next Season

Bloomberg News also reported the NFL’s decision earlier on.

The league declined to comment on the report, stating only that Orlando, Honolulu, Houston and Sydney, Australia, were all bidding for the league’s all-star event.

Honolulu has hosted every Pro Bowl since 1979 with the exception of 2010, when it was in Miami, and 2015, when it was in Arizona. In both of those years the game was played in the same stadium as the Super Bowl.

The Citrus Bowl has recently undergone several renovations and is aiming to host NFL games, including the Pro Bowl, which is held the week before the Super Bowl. There is speculation that NFL players may not like this decision, given that most have generally liked the opportunity to take a trip to Hawaii.

There is no word in Bloomberg’s report on how long the agreement with Orlando might be for.

PHOTO: HONOLULU, HI – SUNDAY, JANUARY 31: A general view of Aloha Stadium during the sining of the National Anthem before the start of the 2016 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on January 31, 2016 in Honolulu, Hawaii.Team Irvin defeated Team Rice 49-27. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has become known for beating defensive backs with his spectacular one-handed catches, but he ended up becoming one himself for a few minutes on Sunday.

Twitter Reacts To Odell Beckham Jr. Playing Safety In 2016 Pro Bowl

Beckham played safety during the Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Sunday night, as he and Team Rice got slammed by Team Irvin 49-27. Beckham only got one tackle during the game.

Unsurprisingly so, Twitter quickly blew up with a string of confused and furious reactions from fans, sportscasters, and the like:  

While the NFL’s Pro Bowl has long been acknowledged as somewhat of a joke, the New England Patriots aren’t interested in playing along. While seven players from the team were named to the all-star game, none of them will be attending due to injuries.

Tom Brady will not be playing due to an ankle injury;  Rob Gronkowski has knee and back issues.  Jamie Collins also has a back injury while Chandler Jones, who was involved in a mysterious medical incident earlier this month, has an injured toe and abdomen. Matthew Slater hurt his shin and wants to spend time with his new baby. Stephen Gostkowski and Malcom Butler have also withdrawn for unspecified reasons.

The Patriots aren’t alone in their choice to avoid the Pro Bowl. There have be a total of 133 players named to the game this year due to the large number of injury withdrawals, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. 

The issue arrises from the fact that the Pro Bowl takes place at the end of the season, while other sports have their all-star events near their season’s midpoint. While it’s unlikely that any NFL owners will consent to changing the league’s schedule, that could lessen the amount of players who are injured at the time of the game.

Photo: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots tries to evade a tackle by Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos in the first half in the AFC Championship game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 24, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

With the Super Bowl match-up set and players announcing their end of season injuries, the Pro Bowl rosters are set to undergo some changes. And while replacement players may be appearing based on a logistical technicality, it’s still good for some additional guys to get recognized for their performances. One of those players is Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who will be replacing Cardinals QB Carson Palmer.

Selected with the 32nd pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, Bridgewater hasn’t received the same level of attention as other young quarterbacks. But, in his first year as the full-time starter under center, he led the Vikings to a 11-5 record and NFC North title.

Bridgewater finished the season with a 65.3 completion percentage and  3,231 passing yards for 14 touchdowns. He also became second Vikings quarterback in franchise history to throw for four touchdowns and rush for one in a single game; he accomplished the feat against the Chicago Bears in December.

Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr was also named to the Pro Bowl as a replacement for Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins. Bridgewater and Barr will also be joined in Hawaii by their teammates Adrian Peterson, Everson Griffen and Harrison Smith.

Photo: Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater gives the ball to running back Jerick McKinnon during the match at Chicago Bears by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Michel Sauret via Wikimedia Commons

AARON RODGERS PULLS OUT OF PRO BOWL

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers officially pulled out of the NFL’s annual all-star game with an undisclosed injury Wednesday, and was replaced by Oakland Raiders QB Derek Carr. Rodgers’ injury has not been specified.

The Packers QB appeared on the team’s injury report with a right shoulder injury in November but did not miss any time. He absorbed 46 sacks during the regular season, the second most of his entire career.

Rodgers also withdrew from last year’s Pro Bowl following a torn calf muscle during the last month of the season. This was Rodgers’ fifth Pro Bowl selection, but he only played twice: in 2009 and 2011.

Green Bay still has three players set to play during the Bowl on Jan. 31: linebacker Clay Matthews, guard Josh Sitton, and fullback John Kuhn.

AMARI COOPER SELECTED FOR PRO BOWL AS BRANDON MARSHALL’S INJURY REPLACEMENT

Rookie Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper has been added to the Pro Bowl lineup as injury replacement for New York Jets WR Brandon Marshall.

Cooper is the fifth Raiders player to receive the honor, joining injury replacements QB Derek Carr, Safety Charles Woodson, pass rusher Khalil Mack and fullback Marcel Reece. Reece, however, will not play due to a suspension for violating the NFL policy regarding performance-enhancing drugs. He is also the sixth Oakland rookie to make the Pro Bowl. This is also the third straight year that a rookie who is also an Alabama Crimson Tide alum is going to the All-Star Pro Bowl. Fellow ex-Alabama WR Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons will also be headed to the game.

Cooper is currently the rookie leader with 72 catches for 1,070 yards this season. The Pro Bowl, Cooper’s first, will be played on Jan. 31 in Honolulu.

Every year people complain about the pointlessness of the Pro Bowl, yet at least the league has been conscious enough to realize it needed to be improved. Well, in this process they have added celebrity coaches, a new location and, with the NFL’s partnership with Nike, more flamboyant uniforms.

Well this year, it seems like the two 2014 Super Bowl teams will be switching colors, as the NFC gets an orange makeover and the AFC receive the lime green color called Volt. As for the two celebrity coaches, both are wide receiver hall of famers: Cris Carter will coach the AFC and Michael Irvin the NFC.

As for the rest of the press release, Nike claims the “Elite 51 uniform” is the pinnacle of sportswear, which puts the player in the best position to succeed: “NFL Nike Elite 51 uniform is a fully integrated system in which the baselayer, jersey and pant work in concert. Lightweight padding is also integrated directly into the crucial “hit zones” in the baselayer. Key innovations include integrated Flywire technology in the neckline to reduce weight and provide lockdown fit over pads, increased sleeve articulation for better range of motion, and all-over four-way stretch fabrication to provide a streamlined shrink-wrap fit.”

NFC Uniforms

Photo © Nike

Photo © Nike

AFC Uniforms

Photo © Nike

Photo © Nike