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JJ Watt takes a blowtorch to the NFL’s Pro Bowl problem and fans universally agree with his complaint
JJ Watt made five Pro Bowls during his dominant NFL career. But it’s safe to say that one of the greatest defenders in football history is not a huge fan of what the Pro Bowl has become. GettyJJ Watt thinks that the NFL Pro Bowl has lost its way[/caption] With a single tweet, Watt took a blowtorch to a watered-down event that barely resembles its former self. “When you get 5 alternates deep, just call it the Participation Bowl,” Watt posted. Fans loved the torching, pointing out that the Pro Bowl is barely worth watching anymore and might be better just being cancelled. “So irrelevant,” one fan tweeted. “It’s pretty ridiculous,” a second fan wrote. “Everyone included. Nobody feels left out.” “Well, it’s flag football now,” a third fan said. “So, by design, it’s really just a participation event anyways. About time to realize it’s well past time to just remove the weekend altogether.” “The YMCA must have taken over the selection process,” a fourth fan said. More than 20 players have opted out of the 2025 Pro Bowl Games, which will be held February 2 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Super Bowl LIX between Patrick Mahomes‘ Kansas City Chiefs and Jalen Hurts‘ Philadelphia Eagles will be played on February 9 in New Orleans. Tickets for the Pro Bowl are available for $28 and finding a few extra ones doesn’t appear to be a problem. youtube@Savage Brick ArchiveSean Taylor delivered a hit in the 2006 Pro Bowl that still sends shivers[/caption] youtube@Savage Brick ArchiveTaylor cracked a Buffalo punter and was congratulated after[/caption] Getty - ContributorWatt was one of the NFL’s most intense players during his Texans days[/caption] If Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson faced Jared Goff and Jayden Daniels in real game action, the Pro Bowl would be worth watching. In 2025, alternates and more alternates decorate the roster, and it’s increasingly clear that big names are deciding it’s better to enjoy a well-timed vacation or heal from an injury than waste time in the meaningless Pro Bowl Games. “The Pro Bowl is dead,” a fan tweeted. That wasn’t the case in previous decades. Sean Taylor’s 2006 Pro Bowl hit still makes waves on social media. The former Washington defender unloaded on Buffalo punter Brian Moorman so violently that the Bill flew backward and the ball was dislodged. Read More on Super Bowl LIX All you need to know about Super Bowl LIX as Kansas City Chiefs battle Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans Super Bowl LIX ticket prices surge with top seats selling for $20,000 more than last year Taylor Swift just one Chiefs win away from joining legends in rare Super Bowl club Controversial ref call that sent Chiefs to Super Bowl could lead to biggest rule change in NFL history Who is performing the Super Bowl halftime show and who will be singing the National Anthem? Why does Patrick Mahomes wear his helmet so high? FOLLOW – talkSPORT End Zone YouTube Channel brings you all the latest news, views and analysis OFFER – See all Super Bowl odds and bet boosts over at talkSPORT BET BUY HERE – Brewdog launches new beer to celebrate Super Bowl 2025 “Moorman got up, but his soul respawned in another dimension,” a fan commented. “RIP Sean Taylor. Great hit, no helmet lead.” The NBA and MLB All-Star Games have both had mounting problems in the past decade, so the NFL isn’t alone. With world championships at a premium and athletes being paid hundreds of millions of dollars to win a ring, an offseason skills event no longer feels necessary. At its core, the Pro Bowl is supposed to be a lofty honor for the NFL’s best players. But when Russell Wilson replaces Allen and Drake Maye replaces Jackson, it’s obvious that NFL players are admitting the Pro Bowl isn’t worth attending — or watching. Watt, 35, won NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times. The Burnley FC co-owner spent 12 years in the NFL, playing 151 games for the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals. Watt recorded 114.5 sacks, 586 tackles and 317 quarterback hits. He slammed the ‘participation’ Pro Bowl — and he couldn’t have been more right. How To Watch the Full U.S. Coverage of Super Bowl LIX Live for 99p *If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue Access the ultimate Super Bowl LIX experience with NFL Game Pass – the only place to watch the full U.S. broadcast. For just 99p, you can enjoy the game exactly as it was meant to be seen! One-Time Payment: Pay only 99p and unlock access to the ultimate Super Bowl LIX experience with NFL Game Pass. U.S. Broadcast: Watch the full U.S. coverage of Super Bowl LIX, including the pre-game show, half-time show, post-game show, and even the iconic U.S. commercials. This is your chance to enjoy the true Super Bowl experience. Don’t mis
JJ Watt made five Pro Bowls during his dominant NFL career.
But it’s safe to say that one of the greatest defenders in football history is not a huge fan of what the Pro Bowl has become.
With a single tweet, Watt took a blowtorch to a watered-down event that barely resembles its former self.
“When you get 5 alternates deep, just call it the Participation Bowl,” Watt posted.
Fans loved the torching, pointing out that the Pro Bowl is barely worth watching anymore and might be better just being cancelled.
“So irrelevant,” one fan tweeted.
“It’s pretty ridiculous,” a second fan wrote. “Everyone included. Nobody feels left out.”
“Well, it’s flag football now,” a third fan said. “So, by design, it’s really just a participation event anyways. About time to realize it’s well past time to just remove the weekend altogether.”
“The YMCA must have taken over the selection process,” a fourth fan said.
More than 20 players have opted out of the 2025 Pro Bowl Games, which will be held February 2 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
Super Bowl LIX between Patrick Mahomes‘ Kansas City Chiefs and Jalen Hurts‘ Philadelphia Eagles will be played on February 9 in New Orleans.
Tickets for the Pro Bowl are available for $28 and finding a few extra ones doesn’t appear to be a problem.
If Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson faced Jared Goff and Jayden Daniels in real game action, the Pro Bowl would be worth watching.
In 2025, alternates and more alternates decorate the roster, and it’s increasingly clear that big names are deciding it’s better to enjoy a well-timed vacation or heal from an injury than waste time in the meaningless Pro Bowl Games.
“The Pro Bowl is dead,” a fan tweeted.
That wasn’t the case in previous decades.
Sean Taylor’s 2006 Pro Bowl hit still makes waves on social media.
The former Washington defender unloaded on Buffalo punter Brian Moorman so violently that the Bill flew backward and the ball was dislodged.
Read More on Super Bowl LIX
All you need to know about Super Bowl LIX as Kansas City Chiefs battle Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans
Super Bowl LIX ticket prices surge with top seats selling for $20,000 more than last year
Taylor Swift just one Chiefs win away from joining legends in rare Super Bowl club
Controversial ref call that sent Chiefs to Super Bowl could lead to biggest rule change in NFL history
Who is performing the Super Bowl halftime show and who will be singing the National Anthem?
Why does Patrick Mahomes wear his helmet so high?
FOLLOW – talkSPORT End Zone YouTube Channel brings you all the latest news, views and analysis
OFFER – See all Super Bowl odds and bet boosts over at talkSPORT BET
BUY HERE – Brewdog launches new beer to celebrate Super Bowl 2025
“Moorman got up, but his soul respawned in another dimension,” a fan commented. “RIP Sean Taylor. Great hit, no helmet lead.”
The NBA and MLB All-Star Games have both had mounting problems in the past decade, so the NFL isn’t alone.
With world championships at a premium and athletes being paid hundreds of millions of dollars to win a ring, an offseason skills event no longer feels necessary.
At its core, the Pro Bowl is supposed to be a lofty honor for the NFL’s best players.
But when Russell Wilson replaces Allen and Drake Maye replaces Jackson, it’s obvious that NFL players are admitting the Pro Bowl isn’t worth attending — or watching.
Watt, 35, won NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times.
The Burnley FC co-owner spent 12 years in the NFL, playing 151 games for the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals.
Watt recorded 114.5 sacks, 586 tackles and 317 quarterback hits.
He slammed the ‘participation’ Pro Bowl — and he couldn’t have been more right.
How To Watch the Full U.S. Coverage of Super Bowl LIX Live for 99p
*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue
Access the ultimate Super Bowl LIX experience with NFL Game Pass – the only place to watch the full U.S. broadcast. For just 99p, you can enjoy the game exactly as it was meant to be seen!
- One-Time Payment: Pay only 99p and unlock access to the ultimate Super Bowl LIX experience with NFL Game Pass.
- U.S. Broadcast: Watch the full U.S. coverage of Super Bowl LIX, including the pre-game show, half-time show, post-game show, and even the iconic U.S. commercials.
This is your chance to enjoy the true Super Bowl experience. Don’t miss out – get access now with NFL Game Pass on DAZN for just 99p!
