The NFL has opted out of a traditional Pro Bowl game ahead of Super Bowl 55, but they’ve named starting rosters for the AFC and NFC based on this year’s fan voting. Though COVID-19 did cause some scheduling conflicts in the 2020 NFL Season, the NFL was able to complete the season in its entirety. Naturally, they’re not inclined to tempt fate for the sake of their all-star game.
However, just because they are opting out of the usual events and AFC vs. NFC faceoff, doesn’t mean we’re left without a 2021 Pro Bowl. What should we expect from this year’s virtual Pro Bowl events? We break it down here.
Pro Bowl: The Madden NFL 21 Edition
The main event of this year’s Pro Bowl is a virtual Madden showdown. The AFC and NFC teams will each have four representatives that will play one quarter of the 2021 Pro Bowl Madden NFL game. The AFC will feature QB Deshaun Watson, RB Derrick Henry, rapper Snoop Dogg and former NFL WR Keyshawn Johnson. The NFC will be represented by QB Kyler Murray, S Jamal Adams, NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace and former NFL RB Marshawn Lynch.
There will be plenty of ways to tune into the digital all-star game, airing Sunday, January 31st at 5 p.m. ET. You can stream the event through the NFL’s Twitch channel, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook feeds, with its main stream airing on NFL Network.
Other Pro Bowl events in 2021
Though the Madden showdown game is the “main course” of this year’s Pro Bowl, the NFL has lined up several other events for fans to watch. The league will recognize its Pro Bowl players at the NFL Pro Bowl Celebration on Sunday, January 31st at 3 p.m. ET. You can watch the event on ESPN and ABC.
In the week leading up to the main events, the NFL featured other Madden tournaments for fans starting with the Chunky Million Meals Challenge. This Madden tournament with the goal of providing schools with equipment and supplies to help feed children all over the country. Eight players who survived the Open Qualifier and Draft rounds advanced to the finals, where they got to work with an NFL star and celebrity Pro Player who coached them through the game. They played the final game on Monday, January 25. Madden superstar Canes won the tournament with the help of his coaches, WR Justin Jefferson and Pro Player Boogz.