Although Jerry Rice is an honorary captain who will help choose players for the revamped Pro Bowl format, the Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver isn't upbeat about the all-star game's prospects. Why? Egos. "You've got prima donnas, egocentrics, who act like it's not an honor," Rice told USA Today. "Plus, they're thinking, 'Why should I go and jeopardize what I'm doing?' But it should be for the fans. "How can you get the players to recognize that it's an honor? You've got to play your best football in the Pro Bowl. So the spirit of this needs to be changed. I'm not sure that can be accomplished now." Rice along with Deion Sanders will help pick the teams. No kickoffs are allowed under the new format. "I don't know if this will help the Pro Bowl survive," Rice said. "If they want a vacation, go to the Bahamas. Back in the day, it was an honor to play in the Pro Bowl." Source: National Football Post
Yea the mindset of the players as a whole has changed. Free agency has made it almost completely about the money, whereas it used to be more about pride and loyalty. I think the Pro Bowl is a lost cause at this point. You're not going to change the culture of players now.
