J.J. Watt criticizes the Pro Bowl's format and player attendance as a significant number of stars opt out, leading to a high number of replacements.
J.J. Watt , a five-time Pro Bowl er, believes the event has become a mere participation trophy affair. In recent years, the Pro Bowl has faced criticism for its lackluster on-field action, leading the NFL to revamp its format from a traditional all-star game to a skills competition dubbed the ' Pro Bowl Games.' These games now feature flag football, dodgeball, and other competitions. This year, a significant number of players have declined invitations to the Pro Bowl .
On Tuesday, it was announced that Jayden Daniels, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson will all sit out. Typically, players who advance to the Super Bowl prioritize their preparation for the championship game and opt out of the Pro Bowl festivities. Following the announcement of numerous replacements, Watt took to social media to express his discontent. 'When you get 5 alternates deep, just call it the Participation Bowl,' he wrote on X. A staggering 24 players are stepping in to replace the original selections. Allen and Jackson both cited injuries as reasons for their absence, while Amon-Ra St. Brown, who saw his season end in the divisional round of the playoffs, also cited injury concerns. The influx of replacements is particularly noticeable among the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, with 11 players replacing members of these teams as they prepare to face off in Super Bowl LVII in New Orleans on February 9. Originally, 82 players were selected for the Pro Bowl, with 41 on each team. The inclusion of alternates brings the total number of Pro Bowlers participating this season to 106. The Pro Bowl Games will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Thursday to Sunday. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter for more updates
PRO BOWL NFL J.J. WATT PLAYER ATTENDANCE SKILLS COMPETITION
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