How the NFL can make the Pro Bowl similar to NBA All-Star Game

The NFL can learn a thing or two from the NBA’s All-Star weekend.

The NBA All-Star game had plenty of fans, critics and observers from all walks of life praising the new format. Many of the responses have surprisingly come from the football world. Former New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi took to twitter during the game to share his thoughts on the Pro Bowl.

Bruschi comically tweeted at the NBA to help the Pro Bowl in hopes of turning around the game’s lackluster appeal over the years. The NBA’s adjustments gave a more competitive feel as the final quarter didn’t feature a standard timed period instead of a fixed final score to achieve.

The three-quarter aggregate score in favor of the leading team, so the winning score would be set at +24 from the leader. The target score was determined in honor of the late Kobe Bryant’s jersey number. Each quarter was scored as its own game, with the winner of each quarter sending $100,000 to local charities.

The Pro Bowl has historically made some changes to their format but hasn’t gotten the universal approval similar to the NBA on Sunday night. The idea of having an untimed final period with a target score to win the game is intriguing for this type of All-Star format. The NFL could adopt an overtime period to the end of the game with neither team allowed to punt.

The NFL has made the necessary efforts to avoid injuries in the game, as in the case of soft tackling rules. The creative options already being tested in the XFL should be transitioned into the NFL’s premier All-Star game to add flare to the competition.

All-Star weekend in the NBA brings out plenty of top celebrities and sports figures at the events. It created even more intrigue surrounding the event-filled weekend. Among the celebrity guests were Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, professional video gamer Tyler “Ninja” Blevins, US Women’s National Team wing Megan Rapinoe and Chance the Rapper.