The NFL Pro Bowl just became a fantasy draft, according to ESPN.com.
The league announced a whole host of changes Wednesday that will completely changed the format of the game. Here’s the list of changes that are coming to this year’s Pro Bowl:
-The two players that receive the most Pro Bowl votes will become captains—there is no longer AFC vs. NFC. Each player will get a Hall of Fame player—Jerry Rice or Deion Sanders— and to two champions from NFL.com Fantasy Football to help them chose their team. The captains will then proceed to a fantasy draft. The draft will take place on Jan. 22.
-No more kickoffs
-The ball will be put on the 25yard line when the game starts and after a team scores
-There is no longer a roster spot for kick-return specialists. Instead, each team has an additional defensive back roster spot
-There is will be a two-minute warning in every quarter
-Possession will switch at the end of each quarter
-Cover 2 and press coverage are options this year as opposed to previous years where only man coverage was allowed
-The game clock will stop during two-minute warnings if the offense does not gain at least a yard. This move is made to incite offenses to fight for yards at the end of the every quarter
-The game clock will start after an incomplete pass upon a referee’s signal, not when the ball when the ball is snapped. The rule will revert back to normal after the two-minute warning and during the last five minutes of the game.
-Instead of the play clock that lasts 40 seconds and 25 seconds, the Pro Bowl will use clocks that last 35-seconds and 25 seconds.
-The game clock will keep running after sacks throughout the game except the final two minutes.
Dominic Foxworth, president of the NFL Players Association presented the modifications. The association and the NFL announced the changes together Wednesday.
"As players, we wanted to keep the Pro Bowl to honor excellence in individual performance and connect with the fans in a different environment," Foxworth said through a statement "To do that, I worked with a group of players to map out new ideas."
According to Commissioner Roger Goodell, the NFL front office was “"very receptive to the ideas that Domonique and the players put forth."
"From there, our office worked closely with him in developing the concept” he said through a statement. “The players made it clear that they wanted to continue the Pro Bowl and were committed to making it better than ever. We think these changes will enhance the game for both fans and players," he said in the statement.
Not everyone is a fan of the new rules—especially kick-returns who no longer have a job.
Oakland Raiders returner Josh Cribbs said the rules make the all-star game “tainted.” He tweeted:
Chicago Bears wide receiver star kick returner Devin Hester also expressed his displeasure in the interview with the Chicago Tribune.
"That was one of my goals for this season," Hester said. “I won’t make the Pro Bowl., They can't do that."
"If you are taking the returner out of the Pro Bowl, you're taking two positions out." he added. "That will suck for me. They are trying to change up the whole game of football and they're messing with people's jobs and lives."
The Pro-Bowl will take place at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu on Jan. 26.
