Gone is the familiar AFC vs. NFC match-up that has existed since 1971. Instead, players will be selected without regard to conference in voting by fans, coaches and players. For example, the top six quarterbacks following voting will earn distinction as All-Stars, regardless of how many are from AFC or NFC teams.
Players will be assigned to teams through the
Pro Bowl Draft, in which two leading vote getters will join two NFL.com
fantasy football champions -- who will attend the
Pro Bowl -- to draft players. One of these champions will earn their spot as part of Lenovo's
Fantasy Coach of the Year program, which provides NFL.com fans a chance to be rewarded for their
fantasy football skills. The other champion can compete for a
Pro Bowl role by playing at NFL.com/fantasy.
The
fantasy football champions will have
Hall of Fame help.
Pro Football Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders will serve as alumni team captains, assisting the
Pro Bowl team captains and
fantasy football champions in the draft process.
"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. "To do that, I worked with a group of players to map out new ideas."
The
Pro Bowl player draft will air on Wednesday, January 22 on NFL Network.
