words_Brandon Richard
After a one-year hiatus in Miami, the NFL returned to Aloha Stadium in Hawaii for the 2011 Pro Bowl. The stars were out in full force (minus participants of Super Bowl XLV) for a game that featured little competitiveness and a lot of scoring. Forcing six turnovers, including five interceptions, the NFL tied a Pro Bowl record with 55 points as they held on for a 55-41 win.
First half interceptions thrown by Phillip Rivers, Peyton Manning and Matt Cassel helped the NFC build a lopsided 42-0 lead in the second quarter. One of the NFC’s touchdowns was caught by tight end Tony Gonzalez, who moved into first place all-time with his sixth overall. Big names like Adrian Peterson, Larry Fitzgerald and Steven Jackson also found paydirt. Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles ran for an 8-yard touchdown before the half to get the AFC on the board.
The second half was a little more kind to the AFC, who outscored the NFC 34-13. Wide receiver Reggie Wayne got things started, catching a 16-yard touchdown pass from Phillip Rivers. Jacksonville Jaguars fullback Montell Owens scored twice for the AFC, one coming via a fumble return and the other on a seven-yard reception. Perhaps the game’s most memorable moment came when Browns center Alex Mack scored a touchdown on a 67-yard double lateral play.
The MVP of the game was Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who made big defensive plays early in the game to help give the NFC a comfortable lead. He picked off a Phillip Rivers pass intended for Brandon Lloyd in the first quarter and returned a fumble 34 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. Hall added a forced fumble and six tackles on the day.
Check out what DeAngelo and some of his Pro Bowl comrades wore for the star-studded game.
Adrian Peterson cuts back wearing a Vikings colorway of the Nike Super Speed.
Brandon Lloyd tries to catch a pass in the Nike Air Zoom Alpha Talon; Brent Grimes defends in the Nike Zoom Vapor Carbon Fly.
Another look at Brent Grimes’ Pro Bowl Zoom Vapor Carbon Fly.
Titans running back Chris Johnson barrels through defenders in the AFC Nike Air Zoom Alpha Talon.
Eric Berry tries to make a play in the adidas Scorch Thrill.
Marc Mariani of the Titans returns a kick in the Nike Air Speed Destroyer.
Michael Vick airs out a pass in the Nike Air Zoom Alpha Talon.
Steven Jackson celebrates his touchdown in the Nike Zoom Hyperfly.
DeAngelo Hall recovers a loose ball in the Nike Zoom Vapor Carbon Fly.
Devin Hester runs after making a catch in the Nike Air Zoom Alpha Talon.
Jamaal Charles runs full speed ahead in the Reebok NFL Molded Burner Speed.
Montell Owens scores in the Nike Air Zoom Alpha Talon.
Matt Ryan drops back in the Nike Air LT Superbad.
Linebacker Ray Lewis reaches to make a tackle in Under Armour’s Fierce cleat.
images via ESPN
Those uniforms look horrible! The game sucks. The Pro Bowl is a joke. I couldn’t watch it more than a few minutes.
Nick, I couldn’t agree with you more. I watched about 5 minutes of it and then turned it. NFL needs to come up with something to make it more interesting.
Game was horrid.
I’m not sure there is a way to make it more interesting. Maybe completely take away the cash reward that the losing team gets.
If they put it in the middle of the season, players are going to be even more cautious not to get injured.
But they definitely need to try something. The NHL has been trying different themes with theirs. Maybe the NFL should follow their lead.
yea maybe they should put back in all the rules that make the game what it is…then it would be interesting…but until then yall r right..
Let’s be honest, all they care about is the cash reward and the trip to Hawaii, and I mean, who wouldn’t? Other than that, it’s really no other reason for them to play. It ain’t nothing but a paycheck to them anyway.
On a side note, I’m kinda feeling the old-school look of those uniforms. Anything with striped socks gets the job done for me.
The uniforms look like something from the 1984 and 85 USFL seasons. Amazingly that league is history and the Pro Bowl should follow.