Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy was the only Packers player to appear in this year’s Pro Bowl game.
Under the new format, the teams were non-conferenced and drafted by honorary captains and Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders.
Lacy was drafted by Team Sanders and saw action in the second half. Lacy ran three straight times halfway through the third quarter. His longest run of the day was for eight yards on his first carry. Lacy finished with just 14 yards on seven attempts.
Under the new format, players from the same team ended up on the opposite side of the ball from each other. Midway through the first quarter, Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles collided with teammate and linebacker Derrick Johnson. Charles suffered a concussion during the wild card playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts a few weeks back and that collision had to have resonated with Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.
Still, it brought an element of entertainment to the game that had not previously been seen when it was NFC players against AFC players. Both Rice and Sanders could be seen on the sidelines urging their teams on and reviving the rivalry the two had during their playing days. Both now have a little bit of salt in their beards but both are just as competitive as ever.
Team Rice captured the win on a late touchdown and two-point conversion followed by a missed 67-yard field goal attempt by Justin Tucker.
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Jason Perone is an independent sports blogger writing about the Packers on AllGreenBayPackers.com
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Something needs to be at stake in the pro-bowl. That would make the players actually play. Winner (AFC or NFC) gets a second bye week in the next season maybe? Players all-time stats become included from the pro-bowl? Winners win half a million each? Just something. Make them actually PLAY.
Expanded roster for the season?
The individual players need a reason, and all I can think only benefits the team or conference.
I know money talks…
How do you do that if the team’s are un-conferenced and selected ad-hoc?
This year’s Pro Bowl was pretty good, compared to recent games. The only thing I didn’t care for were the hideous uniforms. I’m glad Lacy had the chance to go in his rookie season. He’s a phenomenal player.
Don ‘t care about the game or the result. I’m just happy that Lacy was not hurt during a show that means less than even an exhibition game. Now we can focus on all of our Packers coming back healthy for next season and improving the defense. Thanks, Since ’61
The Pro Bowl is a joke from the way the players are chosen to the game itself. Worst product in national sports, period.