For various reasons, the 2016 Pro Bowl has repelled the most players since the creation of the event in 1939, according to the Elias Sports Bureau (h/t Kevin Seifert of ESPN).
Per the report, the number of players voted to play in the Pro Bowl, in addition to the substitutes, climbed to an all-time high of 133. This means that 47 players bowed out in order to keep the 86-man roster filled.
Whether it is because of current injuries, potential injury concerns, overall lack of interest or an aversion to the Hawaiian tropics, the Pro Bowl hasn’t had this many write-offs since 2009. There were 119 total players invited that year, according to Elias.
Meanwhile, getting six quarterbacks who want to or can play in the 2016 Pro Bowl has been like pulling teeth. Russell Wilson remains the lone quarterback voted to the original roster. Meanwhile, inquiring minds are wondering why Kirk Cousins hasn’t been selected when Jameis Winston and Teddy Bridgewater have been added as fill-ins.
Per NFL Network, 14 quarterbacks were invited to the Pro Bowl, went to 8th alternate. Kirk Cousins was not one of them.
— Rich Tandler (@TandlerNBCS) January 27, 2016
Further adding to this year’s total invite numbers are 14 players who have been called upon to replace 10 Panthers and four Broncos.
For the players who chose to accept their invitations and head to Hawaii to entertain their fans, thumbs up. As for the rest of the guys who aren’t dealing with a legitimate injury, it would appear the meager pay and free vacation wasn’t enough to tantalize this time around.
The third fantasy football-style Pro Bowl Draft begins on Wednesday, with the big game kicking off at 7:00 pm ET, this Sunday, January 31 from Aloha Stadium.