I know what you’re thinking: there is no hope.

In game where the rules are modified so that a contact sport creates less contact, the “ultimate team sport” suffers from a lack of the same substance which makes all of it’s other games must-see TV. Combined with a number of silly gimmicks instituted to try and generate interest in the NFL’s version of an “all-star” game, such as several years of special team captains playing “fantasy football for real”, drafting teams like couch potatoes, and we can see why the game continues to be a mockery, rather than a showcase.

Further crippling the game, is the lack of star power. With the date having moved up a couple of weeks to “help” the dead space between the end of the conference championship and the Super Bowl, those players participating in the one “real” game left, do not attend the Pro Bowl. (The game was traditionally played a week after the Super Bowl, which meant those competitors could participate in the all-star festivities as well.)

The question most fans are asking, at least those who are interested in seeing the best of the best, is “how can the Pro Bowl be saved?”

At this point, I’m not sure it could. Further damage has been done to this showcase game over recent years, all in the best interest of making things interesting, but none which have helped do so. The game has moved from Hawaii, which might be better for fans who don’t want to fork out the money for a long, expensive flight (but is great for those on the island who otherwise can’t see these players live) but hurts any appeal of a “vacation” for those players picked to play.

Another bone of contention: the uniforms. They’re terrible.

How can a league which has figured out how to pump more revenue from it’s fan base with throwbacks and “Color Rush” jersey concepts, offer such miserable-looking, psychedelic team kits?

They’re so ugly, I’m not sure that most fans wouldn’t turn up their nose at wearing a game-worn one!

Yes, the Pro Bowl is in dire straights, but if we want an all-star game to stick around, what can we do to fix it?

Here are a few ideas.

The Players

I had so much to say about this topic that I spun it into another article. Simply stated, when 133 invites for 88 spots are given out in 2016, and 2017 is followed up with 122, there’s a problem.

Not to rehash too much, but it’s a combination of missing the stars from the Super Bowl, and injuries. I’m not sure much can be done about the latter, but moving the game back, after the Super Bowl, could fix the former.

There should also be some incentive for the athletes: monetary reward, could be one.

Another is some guarantee: there’s always a risk of injury. The rules have been modified, and trust me, this brotherhood doesn’t want to kill each other legitimately over a meaningless game.

One idea that could spark fun and creativity, is changing it to flag football. Let’s not pretend it’s close to that already: why not go the whole way?

This could help prevent injuries, and entice a few players to attend.

I’d also provision some guaranteed contract money for any player who may get seriously injured in this game. If one of the participants is headed to free agency, and blows out a knee, they could lose their livelihood. Obviously, that’s something that should be protected.

A combination of the above might at least get some stars to play, and make things interesting. Even with flags, would you want to see Antonio Brown beat, say, Richard Sherman, for a touchdown?

I would watch.

Location

Want to put a team in Las Vegas? Great. Here’s your audition.

Quite frankly, that’s sort of what’s happening with Orlando, which does not have an NFL franchise. But think of the possibilities, weather pending, of locales such as Los Angeles, San Antonio, and others.

The game could be played internationally as well, again, giving an exotic vacation for those playing.

In theory, this too might make things more interesting.

When it’s played

What if the game were played during Hall of Fame weekend, when all of the other stars, past and present, converge on Canton, Ohio?

I’ve pitched this idea before, and obviously, players would have to be protected (flag football) for this to happen. You wouldn’t want to risk injuries before the season!

There’s a better chance that more might be viable… except retiring players, unless they choose to hang on for one more game, many months after their season has ended.

Wouldn’t it have been cool to see Peyton Manning suit up one last time in August?

Furthermore, the even more meaningless Hall of Fame game has been moved to Thursday (what is it with the NFL and that day?) I can attest that fans don’t really care about preseason football, but they might show up for a package deal which includes all of the events for a 4-day weekend.

Again, this is for the fans, so why not give them the ultimate football experience? They already come to the NFL Combine and the NFL Draft in droves. This could get the Pro Bowl some attention.

Replace it with a better game

Ah, there’s a novel concept… but what game?

The Olympics have bronze medal competitions, and even sports like hockey and basketball play for it.

FIFA’s World Cup has a third place game as well.

So why not the NFL?

My guess is this would get as much resistance as the meaningless Pro Bowl, with players not wanting to risk injury, but what fan wouldn’t have wanted to see the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers square off this season?

And what TV network wouldn’t want to broadcast that game?

If you were a fan, would you buy a ticket? I know it depends on when and where, but I might be game.

This probably would’ve worked better with these to specific fan bases, given how well they travel, but I’m not sure if fans would honestly care about who is “third best” in the NFL?

The only thing that would truly be at stake is a better draft pick, which of course, the better record usually drafts lower. Essentially the winner could flip spots, but aside from pride, what else could the game offer for the effort?

It’s an interesting thought, to say the least…