Las Vegas Raiders superstar Maxx Crosby won’t be able to compete in the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl due to an injury, however, he won’t miss the experience because the yearly tradition isn’t “an actual football game” anymore.
Each year, the Pro Bowl game has served as a showcase of the best the NFL had to offer in a given year. Similar to All-Star games in MLB, the NBA, and the NHL, it was a unique chance to see the best of the best compete. However, while those leagues have made changes to their games in recent years, the NFL made the most notable by turning the annual Pro Bowl into a flag football game.
The decision was made to avoid potential injuries in the exhibition since the sport is much more physical than most. While Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby understands why the league chose to go in that direction in 2022, he is no fan of this newer and less impactful version of the game.
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Las Vegas Raiders star misses how the NFL Pro Bowl used to be
“I totally understand [why they made the change]. It’s about the accolade. It’s not about the game itself anymore, and I totally get it because, I mean, realistically, there’s a lot of money on the line, and guys don’t want to get hurt,” Crosby told FOX News. “So, I get it. But, at the same time, I’d rather play football.”
Crosby’s opinion is based on the fact that he thoroughly enjoyed his first trip to the Pro Bowl in 2021, and felt players were able to compete hard while still being safe.
“On my first Pro Bowl I got in 2021, it was an actual football game wearing full pads,” the three-time Pro Bowler said. “We took care of each other, but we were also pass-rushing a little bit and getting after it when it mattered. I had an absolute blast out there. So, I prefer that. That’s how I grew up watching it. That was an actual football game. But, I mean, where the world is now is not where it was two years back.”
Crosby had a career year in 2023 as he posted career highs with 90 tackles and 14.5 sacks for the Raiders.
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