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Pro Bowl to Return to AFC vs NFC Format in 2017

The NFL has announced changes to the next Pro Bowl, which will be held in Orlando, Florida in January 2017.

If the Seahawks are to be represented at the 2017 Pro Bowl, you won't see Bobby Wagner tackling Richard Sherman for a big loss, or Sherman and Tyler Lockett arguing over who won a one-on-one matchup on the outside, just as the players did in this past January's game in Honolulu, Hawaii. 

After a three-year experiment with an unconferenced format that saw NFL legends draft squads from pools of Pro Bowl eligible players, the League announced Wednesday that its annual all-star game will return to its AFC vs NFC roots featuring 88 players - 44 from the AFC and 44 from the NFC - as voted on by the players, coaches, and fans.

Next year's game will also venture away from the Hawaiian Islands, moving to Orlando, Florida. Pro Bowl practices will be held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort alongside youth football events and a fan fest. Pro Bowl players will be able to bring their former high school or youth fotball coach to the week-long festivities, and athletes on the winning Pro Bowl team will earn a grant from the NFL Foundation to help develop their high school programs. 

"We are excited to re-imagine the Pro Bowl experience for both fans and players and to celebrate the game of football at all levels," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "Collaborating with Disney and ESPN brings us closer to the best in youth and family-focused entertainment. We look forward to working with the city of Orlando and Florida Citrus Sports to create a week-long celebration for football and our fans." 

The 2017 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at Orlando's Camping World Stadium with live television coverage on ESPN.

Game photos from the 2016 Pro Bowl between Team Rice, featuring wideout Tyler Lockett and linebacker Bobby Wagner, and Team Irvin, with quarterback Russell Wilson, defensive end Michael Bennett, and cornerback Richard Sherman at Honolulu's Aloha Stadium.

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