Beijing Evening News: Why the Pro Bowl Fails to Garner Sufficient Attention - 2009-02-12 0 (0 votes)
The Super Bowl has just concluded, and this morning in Beijing, the U.S. professional football NFL All-Star Game – the Pro Bowl – commenced. Unlike other sports' All-Star Games, the NFL's All-Star game takes place before the finals to avoid injuries during the All-Star game affecting a player’s team performance. The NFL is the world's most successful sports league operator, but the Pro Bowl remains a flaw. Compared with the recently passed Super Bowl, its impact on the American psyche is far less pronounced.
Last weekend's Super Bowl between the Steelers and Cardinals showcased the immense enthusiasm of American fans. Even two miles away from Raymond James Stadium, coffee shops that were usually deserted had packed audiences one day before the game, as people traveled from all over the country to attend. The American public is deeply concerned about the Super Bowl; even those who might be unemployed or struggling financially due to high oil prices made sure they secured a ticket. This explains why this season's Super Bowl saw nearly a 20% increase in gaming revenue compared to previous years. It not only attracts fans but also turns halftime into a musical event with renowned singers delivering spectacular performances, delighting the audience.
Additionally, from the president down to the soldiers, everyone is exceptionally focused on the final. For U.S. soldiers in Iraq, the Super Bowl is their most anticipated moment. The U.S. military typically enforces strict rules prohibiting alcohol in military zones. However, on Super Bowl Sunday, soldiers in Iraq could enjoy a beer while watching the game. The Super Bowl is akin to our Chinese New Year celebration.
In contrast, a week after the Super Bowl, the Pro Bowl appears significantly lonelier. Despite its enormous influence within the NBA, it lacks the allure of the All-Star Game. The NFL All-Star game seems tasteless, uninspiring, and lacking in entertainment value, making it wasteful to discard. The characteristics of American football make it nearly impossible to elevate the Pro Bowl to the stature of the NBA All-Star Game: players’ technical movements are extremely utilitarian, leaving little room for showmanship or tricks, thus reducing the game's entertainment appeal. The defensive group will strive hard to defend, unlike basketball players who can steal the ball both offensively and defensively. Even though the Pro Bowl follows a long holiday, few players are willing to exert themselves fully, as the game is not representative of an actual American football match but more like a casual exhibition.
While the Super Bowl resonates widely across the United States, the NFL All-Star Game's influence and attention are heavily overshadowed by the Super Bowl. Coupled with other reasons, it is reasonable that the Pro Bowl fails to capture fans' attention.
Attached: A Brief Introduction to the NFL Pro Bowl
The Pro Bowl game in American professional football is akin to other U.S. professional sports' All-Star games, but differs in that it occurs at the end of the season. The tournament was established in the 1950 season. From 1961 to 1969, during the coexistence of the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL), each organization held its own Pro Bowl game.
(Source: Beijing Evening News by Da-Wei Liu)