# Does anyone actually watch the Pro Bowl? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 12, 2006, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142 "2006-02-12T20:04:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Walter\_Windchill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Walter\_Windchill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walter_Windchill)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2006, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142/1 "2006-02-12T20:04:37Z")
I was looking through the online TV guide, and noticed that ESPN has a countdown program and pregame analysis and the whole bit leading into the NFL pro bowl. I find it somewhat mind-boggling to think about Cris Carter and Boomer Esiason or whoever breaking down the NFC and AFC teams as if it’s, you know, a real game. Is anyone watching, saying, “you know, Marge, I really like the AFC this year”? Is anyone sitting at home with an NFC flag, a coffee table full of snacks and a cooler full of bear, just waiting for the big tilt? Are there pro bowl parties? Are the great moments in pro bowl history? I think I’ll go see what’s on HBO this evening. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2006, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142/2 "2006-02-12T20:24:23Z")
Have you ever met a compulsive gambler? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2006, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142/3 "2006-02-12T20:28:11Z")
I’ve had it on from time to time, but I’ve never really watched it. No one is trying during the game. The players want to avoid getting injured and then get out to the parties. College all star games are a bit different as many of the players are trying to impress NFL scouts. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2006, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142/4 "2006-02-12T20:47:23Z")
> [@Walter Windchill](#): > > Is anyone sitting at home with an NFC flag, a coffee table full of snacks and a cooler full of bear, just waiting for the big tilt? A cooler full of bear doesn’t sound very appetizing. ---
**Author:** ![Walter\_Windchill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Walter\_Windchill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walter_Windchill)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2006, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142/5 "2006-02-12T20:53:21Z")
> [@Snooooopy](#): > > A cooler full of bear doesn’t sound very appetizing. Oops. Typo. I meant to type “bourbon.” ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2006, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142/6 "2006-02-12T23:29:42Z")
God, no. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142/7 "2006-02-13T00:09:09Z")
No, I have never bother with it. Football ends with the Super Bowl. ---
**Author:** ![Hung\_Mung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142/8 "2006-02-13T00:20:22Z")
Oh, hey, the Pro Bowl’s on. Forgot all about that. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142/9 "2006-02-13T01:32:37Z")
I don’t watch it and, other than for the distinction of being selected and having to play in Hawaii in February, I don’t think most players in the NFL even care about the game either. Of all the all-star games from the professional major league team sports in North America (MLB, the NFL, the NBA, and the NHL), the Pro Bowl is easily the lamest and most inconsequential. (Although, I’d likely get plenty of arguments stating the NHL’s is the worst.) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142/10 "2006-02-13T01:34:27Z")
No and even my Pop who is a Football fanatic isn’t going to bother. It is just so meaningless. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142/11 "2006-02-13T01:36:15Z")
This may be the first year I haven’t had it on at all. Though I don’t really pay attention to it; it’s on while I’m cleaning or playing a computer game or something. This year the Av’s were on earlier, and after that I didn’t even think of it. Is it still going?.. Yep - oh, my goodness, it’s a 10-10 tie! I’m breathless. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142/12 "2006-02-13T02:32:38Z")
I watched some of it, and it’s pretty dull. We’re snowed in and I didn’t have much work to do, but I couldn’t find anything more entertaining to do. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142/13 "2006-02-13T03:07:43Z")
> [@BobT](#): > > Have you ever met a compulsive gambler? I doubt even they would bother. There is basketball and hockey on why bet on a touch football game? Spring training split squad games have more meaning. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142/14 "2006-02-13T03:07:46Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > We’re snowed in and I didn’t have much work to do, but I couldn’t find anything more entertaining to do. So you’ve already finished plucking your nose hairs and watching the paint dry, eh? Yeah, it’s pretty boring. Even the Fantasy League fanatics at work can’t be bothered with the Pro bowl. ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142/15 "2006-02-13T03:10:17Z")
Yeah, I usually turn it on for a while. Not because I particularly care, but because after this there’s no more football until August. It’s one of those “I can’t believe this is goodbye” moments. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142/16 "2006-02-13T04:35:15Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > So you’ve already finished plucking your nose hairs and watching the paint dry, eh? I counted all the snowflakes outside. I couldn’t find anything else to do! ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142/17 "2006-02-13T14:15:43Z")
This is my take on the Pro-Bowl. It’s a sort of end-of-season leauge party where those chosen to go get their recognition and pat eachother on the back. It’s also an excuse for people with money to take a vacation to Hawaii and try to get some autographs. I think they just throw the game in there so the guys can get photographed while suited up and maybe capture a couple action shots. Just an exhibition game for some publicity shots. ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142/18 "2006-02-13T14:29:41Z")
[The NFL Cheerleader All-Stars](http://nflcheerleader.blogspot.com/2006/02/2006-pro-bowl-cheerleaders.html) would be sufficient reason to watch the Pro Bowl if ESPN showed them enough rather than showing the actual game. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142/19 "2006-02-13T14:32:47Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I doubt even they would bother. There is basketball and hockey on why bet on a touch football game? Spring training split squad games have more meaning. Then your answer to the question is “no, I haven’t”. There’s plenty of betting on the game. I don’t know if I’ve ever watched one second of one pro-bowl game. Of course, I don’t watch ANY all-star game. I especially don’t watch one that happens after the end of the regular season. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142/20 "2006-02-13T17:10:29Z")
> [@Trunk](#): > > Then your answer to the question is “no, I haven’t”. There’s plenty of betting on the game. > > I don’t know if I’ve ever watched one second of one pro-bowl game. > > Of course, I don’t watch ANY all-star game. I especially don’t watch one that happens after the end of the regular season. Define plenty. None of the degenerate gamblers I know even watch it. What do you bet on, who is trying not to get hurt the hardest? Most umbrella drinks in a weekend? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-actually-watch-the-pro-bowl/344142.md?page=2)