In a televised atmosphere normally expected of a Fantasy Football draft, the first-ever Pro Bowl draft concluded Wednesday following a two-night selection process.
And the results showed 10 Chiefs players split evenly between the two teams.
January 22, 2014; Ko’Olina, HI, USA; Team Sanders captains running back Jamaal Charles from the Kansas City Chiefs (left), defensive end J.J. Watt from the Houston Texans (center), and Deion Sanders (right) talk during the Pro Bowl draft at J.W. Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Joining running back Jamaal Charles, a co-captain, on “Team Sanders” are left tackle Branden Albert, defensive tackle Dontari Poe, linebacker Tamba Hali and safety Eric Berry.
Quarterback Alex Smith, who was the last selection of the draft, linebackers Justin Houston and Derrick Johnson, cornerback Brandon Flowers and punt returner Dexter McCluster joined “Team Rice.”
With a new format this year, players no longer represent the conference they play in.
Pro Football Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders were joined on stage by their respective selected co-captains during the selection process.
Charles and Houston Texans J.J Watt sat with Sanders, while New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and St. Louis Rams defensive end Robert Quinn sat next to Rice.
The NFL apparently went for entertainment value to promote and generate interest for the annual Pro Bowl by televising the draft, and then offering a steady stream of postdraft analysis on the NFL Network.
Polls quickly popped up on the league’s official website to allow fans to vote on the best team.
Indeed, a fantasy feel.
Whether the league succeeds in drawing viewers for the actual game remains to be seen.
But the given the new format of teammates going against each other, hopefully Hali doesn’t injury Smith during a quarterback sack.
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2014 Pro Bowl rosters:
• “Team Sanders”
• “Team Rice”
