2021 Pro Bowl

Cancellation and Alternative Plan

The 2021 Pro Bowl was originally scheduled for January 31, 2021, at the new Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. On October 14, 2020, the NFL canceled the traditional in-person game because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The league deferred Las Vegas's hosting rights to the 2022 Pro Bowl.

Despite the cancellation, the NFL proceeded with the fan voting process for Pro Bowl rosters. This was important because Pro Bowl selections can trigger salary bonuses in player contracts, particularly for rookies. Voting ran from November 17 to December 17, 2020, across the NFL website, Madden NFL 21, and Twitter. The full AFC and NFC rosters were revealed on December 21.

To replace the game, the league organized a week of alternative virtual festivities. This culminated in a television special called the Pro Bowl Celebration, which aired on January 31 on ABC, ESPN, and Disney XD. The special featured interviews and segments honoring the selected players.

The Esports Exhibition

The main competitive event was an esports exhibition played in Madden NFL 21. Using the official Pro Bowl rosters, teams representing the AFC and NFC competed in a virtual game. The match was played remotely from the homes of the participants. The NFL partnered with EA Sports to produce this event.

The exhibition was structured so that a different celebrity or player controlled each team for one quarter. For the AFC, the controllers were quarterback Deshaun Watson, former wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, running back Derrick Henry, and rapper Snoop Dogg. The NFC team was controlled by quarterback Kyler Murray, NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace, safety Jamal Adams, and former running back Marshawn Lynch.

The NFC team dominated the virtual contest, winning by a final score of 32 to 12. This Madden game served as the primary competitive substitute for the canceled on-field Pro Bowl.

Roster Highlights and Selections

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who led the fan voting, headlined the AFC roster. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was the standout selection for the NFC. Both players were having strong seasons, with Mahomes leading the defending champion Chiefs and Rodgers in contention for the MVP award.

The Chiefs and Packers each had seven players selected, tying for the most Pro Bowl selections from a single team. They were joined by the Baltimore Ravens and Seattle Seahawks, which also had seven players chosen. This demonstrated the strength of those teams during the 2020 NFL season.

Additional Virtual Festivities

Beyond the Madden exhibition, the NFL organized other virtual events. The league partnered with Verzuz to air a series of Pro Bowl highlight battles from January 26 through January 29. These events presented memorable plays and moments from the selected players' seasons.

The week-long series of matchups leading to the main esports game also included NFL legends, current players, celebrities, and popular streamers playing Madden NFL 21. The virtual Pro Bowl game was available for fans to watch on various digital platforms, including the NFL's YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

Legacy and Impact

The 2021 Pro Bowl became a notable example of a major sports league adapting its all-star festivities to a fully virtual format during the pandemic. By maintaining the roster vote and creating the esports exhibition, the NFL ensured that player achievements were still recognized in a meaningful way.

The event also highlighted the growing intersection of traditional sports and esports, using Madden NFL 21 as a competitive platform. While the in-person game in Las Vegas was postponed, the alternative celebrations provided an experience for fans during an unusual season.