The 2017 Pro Bowl (branded as the 2017 Pro Bowl presented by Aquafina for sponsorship reasons) was the National Football League's all-star game for the 2016 season, which was played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on January 29, 2017. The game was the first in a three-year deal to host the Pro Bowl in Orlando, which also included cross-promotional events (such as a newly established skills competition) held at the Walt Disney World Resort (which is owned by the primary parent company of the game's broadcaster, ESPN).
After three years of using a draft format, the 2017 Pro Bowl returned to the previous conference-based format, played between all-star teams representing the American Football Conference and National Football Conference. The AFC all-stars were coached by Andy Reid, and the NFC all-stars were coached by Jason Garrett.
Background Host selection process At least five locations were in contention to host the 2017 Pro Bowl, with four submitting formal bids.Soshnick, Scott (May 19, 2016). The NFL Pro Bowl Is Moving to Orlando. Bloomberg. Retrieved May 19, 2016. Aloha Stadium in Hawaii, the site of the Pro Bowl from 1980 to 2009, 2011–2014, and 2016. NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, the site of Super Bowl LI. Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, where Pro Bowl rightsholder ESPN has operations at Walt Disney World. An unidentified stadium in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The stadium, which had recently been renovated for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, was discussed as a potential hosting site for the event, but Brazil ultimately declined to place a bid.
On June 1, 2016, the NFL announced that it had awarded the next three Pro Bowl games to Orlando.
Side events Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the 2017 Pro Bowl would be a "week-long celebration for football and our fans"; a number of family-oriented side events was held at the Walt Disney World Resort and its ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, including practices, a 5K run, youth events, and player appearances.
On December 12, 2016, the NFL announced that it would hold a series of skills competitions during Pro Bowl week at the Wide World of Sports Complex, known as the Pro Bowl Skills Showdown.
Game format On June 1, 2016, the NFL confirmed that the Pro Bowl would return to its previous, conference-based format for 2017, after three years of using a draft-based format with players selected by designated captains. The captains were former NFL players Jerome Bettis, Tony Gonzalez, Ray Lewis, and Charles Woodson.
Rule changes The game format was nearly the same for 2017 as it had been in 2016, with some exceptions: Forty-four players were assigned to each team, up from 43 in 2016 (a regular game-day active roster has 46). The two-minute warning that was given in the first and third quarters (in addition to the second and fourth quarters) in previous years was eliminated, and the ball did not change hands after the first and third quarters. The coin toss determined which team was awarded possession first. There were no kickoffs; the ball was placed on the 25-yard line at the start of each half and after scoring plays. Defenses were now permitted to play cover two and press coverage. Prior to 2014, only man coverage was allowed, except for goal line situations. A 38-second/25-second play clock was used instead of the usual 40-second/25-second clock, and up from 35-second/25-second clock in 2016. Replay reviews will be allowed; previously there was replay in the Pro Bowl only when new equipment tests were being conducted. There are no intentional grounding rules. Only defensive ends and tackles may rush on passing plays, but those must be on the same side of the ball. The defense is not permitted to blitz. All blindside blocks and blocks below the waist are illegal. A tight end and running back must be in every formation. No more than two wide receivers on either side of the ball. Deep middle safety must be aligned inside the hash marks.
Summary Box score
AFC rosters The following players were selected to represent the AFC:
Offense PositionStarter(s)Reserve(s)Alternate(s)Quarterback Tom Brady, New England Derek Carr, Oakland Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Alex Smith, Kansas City Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Philip Rivers, San DiegoRunning back Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh LeSean McCoy, Buffalo DeMarco Murray, Tennessee Jay Ajayi, Miami Melvin Gordon, San DiegoFullback Kyle Juszczyk, Baltimore Wide receiver Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Amari Cooper, Oakland T. Y. Hilton, Indianapolis A. J. Green, Cincinnati Emmanuel Sanders, Denver Jarvis Landry, Miami Demaryius Thomas, DenverTight end Travis Kelce, Kansas City Delanie Walker, TennesseeOffensive tackle Donald Penn, Oakland Joe Thomas, Cleveland Taylor Lewan, Tennessee Andrew Whitworth, CincinnatiOffensive guard Kelechi Osemele, Oakland Marshal Yanda, Baltimore David DeCastro, Pittsburgh Richie Incognito, BuffaloCenter Rodney Hudson, Oakland Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh Jeremy Zuttah, Baltimore
Defense
PositionStarter(s)Reserve(s)Alternate(s)Defensive end Khalil Mack, Oakland Cameron Wake, Miami90 Jadeveon Clowney, Houston Leonard Williams, NY Jets Carlos Dunlap, CincinnatiDefensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, Miami Geno Atkins, Cincinnati99 Jurrell Casey, Tennessee95 Kyle Williams, BuffaloOutside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, Buffalo Von Miller, Denver98 Brian Orakpo, Tennessee Inside linebacker Dont'a Hightower, New England C. J. Mosley, Baltimore Zach Brown, Buffalo Ryan Shazier, PittsburghCornerback Aqib Talib, Denver Marcus Peters, Kansas City Chris Harris Jr., Denver Casey Hayward, San Diego Stephon Gilmore, BuffaloFree safety Devin McCourty, New England Reggie Nelson, Oakland Eric Weddle, BaltimoreStrong safety Eric Berry, Kansas City Darian Stewart, Denver
Special teams
PositionStarterAlternate(s)Punter Pat McAfee, Indianapolis Dustin Colquitt, Kansas CityPlacekicker Justin Tucker, BaltimoreReturn specialist Tyreek Hill, Kansas CitySpecial teamer Matthew Slater, New England D. J. Alexander, Kansas CityLong snapper Morgan Cox, Baltimore
NFC rosters The following players were selected to represent the NFC:
Offense
PositionStarter(s)Reserve(s)Alternate(s)Quarterback Matt Ryan, Atlanta Dak Prescott, Dallas Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Kirk Cousins, Washington Drew Brees, New Orleans Running back Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Devonta Freeman, Atlanta David Johnson, Arizona Jordan Howard, Chicago Darren Sproles, PhiladelphiaFullback Mike Tolbert, CarolinaWide receiver Julio Jones, Atlanta Odell Beckham Jr., NY Giants Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Dez Bryant, Dallas Doug Baldwin, SeattleTight end Greg Olsen, Carolina Jordan Reed, Washington Jimmy Graham, SeattleOffensive tackle Trent Williams, Washington Tyron Smith, Dallas Jason Peters, Philadelphia David Bakhtiari, Green BayOffensive guard Zack Martin, Dallas Brandon Scherff, Washington T. J. Lang, Green Bay Trai Turner, Carolina Josh Sitton, ChicagoCenter Travis Frederick, Dallas Alex Mack, Atlanta Jason Kelce, Philadelphia
Defense
PositionStarter(s)Reserve(s)Alternate(s)Defensive end Cliff Avril, Seattle Everson Griffen, Minnesota Michael Bennett, SeattleDefensive tackle Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia Linval Joseph, MinnesotaOutside linebacker Vic Beasley, Atlanta Ryan Kerrigan, Washington Thomas Davis Sr., Carolina K. J. Wright, Seattle Anthony Barr, MinnesotaInside linebacker Bobby Wagner, Seattle Luke Kuechly, Carolina Sean Lee, DallasCornerback Janoris Jenkins, NY Giants Patrick Peterson, Arizona Richard Sherman, Seattle Xavier Rhodes, Minnesota Free safety Harrison Smith, Minnesota Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Green BayStrong safety Landon Collins, NY Giants
Special teams
PositionStarterAlternate(s)Punter Johnny Hekker, Los AngelesPlacekicker Matt Bryant, Atlanta Matt Prater, DetroitReturn specialist Cordarrelle Patterson, MinnesotaSpecial teamer Dwayne Harris, NY GiantsLong snapper Jake McQuaide, Los Angeles
Notes: bold player who participated in game Replacement selection due to injury or vacancy Injured player; selected but will not play Replacement starter; selected as reserve Selected but did not play because his team advanced to Super Bowl LI (see Pro Bowl "Player Selection" section) Players must have accepted their invitations as alternates to be listed; those who declined, such as Tyrod Taylor, are not considered Pro Bowlers
Number of selections per team + American Football Conference Team Selections Baltimore Ravens 7 Kansas City Chiefs 7 Oakland Raiders 7 Buffalo Bills 6 Denver Broncos 6 Pittsburgh Steelers 6 Cincinnati Bengals 5 Tennessee Titans 5 Miami Dolphins 4 New England Patriots 4 San Diego Chargers 3 Indianapolis Colts 2 Cleveland Browns 1 Houston Texans 1 New York Jets 1 Jacksonville Jaguars 0+ National Football Conference Team Selections Dallas Cowboys 7 Seattle Seahawks 7 Atlanta Falcons 6 Minnesota Vikings 6 Carolina Panthers 5 Washington Redskins 5 Green Bay Packers 4 New York Giants 4 Philadelphia Eagles 4 Arizona Cardinals 3 Los Angeles Rams 3 Chicago Bears 2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2 Detroit Lions 1 New Orleans Saints 1 San Francisco 49ers 0
Broadcasting The game was televised nationally by ESPN and broadcast via radio by Westwood One.
References
External links Official website