Stephen Holder, ESPND21. December 2023, 10:29 a.m. ET
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- Stephen joined ESPN in 2022, covering the Indianapolis Colts and the NFL as a whole. Stephen placed first in column writing in the 2015 Indiana Associated Press Media Editors competition and was previously a top 10 winner in explanatory journalism in the national Associated Press Sports Editors competition. He has been covering the NFL since 2005, covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005 to 2013 and the Colts since 2013. He previously worked for the Miami Herald, the Tampa Bay Times, the Indianapolis Star and The Athletic.
The Pro Bowl Games skills competitions return in 2024 with a new event that should capture the attention of offensive and defensive players: tug of war.
The revamped Pro Bowl Games will be held for the second year in a row and will take place on February 1st and 4th in Orlando, Florida. The centerpiece of the weekend remains the Sunday afternoon flag football competitions, but the NFL has announced the list of accompanying skills competitions to be held over two days.
The tug-of-war competition is an attempt to highlight linemen who may not be as involved in the flag football aspect of the event. Teams of five players from the AFC and NFC will be positioned over a foam pit in a best-of-three competition. As with all skill challenges, the winning team receives points toward the overall Pro Bowl Games championship, which is tabulated at the end of all events.
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The 10 skill events include many familiar disciplines, including precision passing, dodgeball, the Kick-Tac-Toe-Kick competition and the Rust Gauntlet Relay.
The NFL hired A. Smith & Co. Productions for the contests. The company has produced shows such as “American Ninja Warrior” and “The Titan Games,” both of which feature physical competitions.
Tackle football has been excluded from the Pro Bowl since last season, with the NFL trying to renew interest among players and create a more competitive environment around the event. Injury concerns led to players dropping out of the game or, for those who played, avoiding collisions.
The league considered the reimagined event a success and plans to continue the format for the foreseeable future.