The NFL Pro Bowl was just held, and, as in many previous years, interest was low. Many changes have been made since the old Pro Bowl games were held in Hawaii, and with these changes, heavy criticism has been directed at the event. Now, instead of it being like any other football game, the NFL has changed it to 7-on-7 flag football.
Besides the game itself, another topic regarding the Pro Bowl has drawn significant criticism: the selection process for players.
Why Did Many NFL Legends Speak Out Against the Pro Bowl’s Selection Process?
With all the changes the NFL has made to the Pro Bowl, the players involved may no longer be the league’s best. Some players decline invitations because the vacation aspect of the game has been removed, and it is no longer the honor it once was.
Being a Pro Bowl player at least once in a career was an unofficial requirement to make the Hall of Fame. It means something to make the Pro Bowl, but fan voting has, at times, made it more about popularity.
Given how important the Pro Bowl used to be, NFL Legends have been speaking out against the current Pro Bowl process and the honor the game once held.
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Six-time Pro Bowl RB LeSean McCoy talked about his experiences with the event and how things have changed:
“It was an honor to go to the Pro Bowl, because the elite of elite players are there.”
“It’s not an honor no more, everybody’s is welcome.”
“It was an honor to go to the Pro Bowl, because the elite of elite players were there… It’s not an honor no more”
– @CutonDime25 expresses disappoint in the diminished value of Pro Bowl selections
WE ARE LIVE RIGHT NOW DISCUSSING TOM BRADY IN THE HOF➡️ https://t.co/f4H3dQB55c pic.twitter.com/crDdCCh0Sr
— Speakeasy (@speakeasytlkshw) February 4, 2026
Five-time Pro Bowl DT Ndamukong Suh provided his opinion on the event, “Making the Pro Bowl used to be way different! You really had to be ELITE.. If you made it, it meant the guys lining up across from you knew you were a problem. These days, if I were playing, I’d honestly rather make First or Second Team All-Pro.
“Basketball went through the same kind of change too. All-Star used to really tell you who was dominating the league. Now it feels way more tied to fan votes, markets, highlights, and popularity. The real merit based honor is All-NBA. Just something I’ve been thinking about.”
Three-time Pro Bowl LB Shawne Merriman reminisced on what the event meant to him, “I have a Pro Bowl helmet that I walk by almost everyday. It’s signed by some of the best players in the history of the NFL, legends, HOF’ers and real GOAT’s. The Pro Bowl use to be a badge of honor and respected. Things have changed.”
Clearly, the Pro Bowl is not the event it used to be, and just like with the NBA, the NFL is losing interest and respect for the event. With all this outcry throughout the NFL, maybe things change in response.
