Steelers’ Heyward, Fitzpatrick set for NFL’s Pro Bowl Games
While the NFL Pro Bowl has long been an honor that players have longed to attend, the league made changes to the games of the past. This year’s Pro Bowl nominees will engage in a series of skills events and games; think mini olympic-esque matches culminated by a flag football engagement.
It may be the latest attempt by the NFL to give fans – and players – a friendly environment of exhibition in order to curtail injuries… yet, still give its supporters entertainment.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be represented by ballot-winner safety Minkah Fitzpatrick as well as defensive end Cameron Heyward. Outside linebacker T.J. Watt opted out of the event this year.
The Pro Bowl Games action will kick off Thursday on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET and the games will conclude at 3 p.m. ET Sunday with a trio of flag football games in NFL’s revamped annual all-star showdown at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on ABC/ESPN.
The events
Eli Manning and Peyton Manning will each act as the head coach of the AFC and NFC teams, respectively. On the NFL’s Pro Bowl Games Selection Show, the events Fitzpatrick and Heyward will be a part of were revealed on Wednesday.
Fitzpatrick’s events:
- Flag football finale (Sunday)
- Dodgeball (Thursday)
Heyward’s events:
- Gridiron gauntlet (Sunday)
- Lightning round (Thursday)
The Pro Bowl Games action will kick off Thursday on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET and the games will conclude at 3 p.m. ET Sunday with a trio of flag football games in NFL’s revamped annual all-star showdown at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on ABC/ESPN.
Dodgeball (Thursday)
The middle-school classic dodgeball will be the centerpiece of a multi-round tournament with four teams of five players. It will begin with the offensive and defensive teams playing interconference games, with the winners advancing for an NFC-AFC finale.
| AFC | NFC |
|---|---|
| Offense | Offense |
| Nick Chubb, Browns | Dalvin Cook, Vikings |
| Tyreek Hill, Dolphins | CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys |
| Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals | Saquon Barkley, Giants |
| Josh Jacobs, Raiders | George Kittle, 49ers |
| Mark Andrews, Ravens | Kyle Juszczyk, 49ers |
| Dawson Knox, Bills | Christian McCaffrey, 49ers |
| Defense | Defense |
| Myles Garrett, Browns | Demario Davis, Saints |
| Maxx Crosby, Raiders | Jaire Alexander, Packers |
| Sauce Gardner, Jets | Trevon Diggs, Cowboys |
| Minkah Fitzpatrick, Steelers | Micah Parsons, Cowboys |
| Roquan Smith, Ravens | Jalen Ramsey, Rams |
| Marlon Humphrey, Ravens | Tariq Woolen, Seahawks |
Lightning Round (Thursday)
The lightning round will feature players competing in a three-part elimination challenge. The first event is splash catch, with duos from each conference doing a water balloon toss. Thereafter will be the high-stakes portion in which players will attempt to catch punts from a JUGS machine. In the last part of the challenge — thrill of the spill — the remaining players from each conference will take aim at targets attached to a bucket hanging over the head of an opposing coach. The first team to dump a bucket on a coach wins.
Gridiron Gauntlet (Sunday)
The gridiron gauntlet is a side-by-side relay race that will highlight players’ speed and agility as they climb walls, go under tables, navigate a tire run and push a blocking sled with a coach upon it.
| AFC | NFC |
|---|---|
| Joel Bitonio, Browns | Penei Sewell, Lions |
| Myles Garrett, Browns | Brian Burns, Panthers |
| Nick Chubb, Browns | Saquon Barkley, Giants |
| Cam Heyward, Steelers | Tristan Wirfs, Buccaneers |
| Dion Dawkins, Bills | Cam Jordan, Saints |
Flag Football (Sunday)
The flag football finale on Sunday will feature three games with the AFC and NFC rosters’ skill position players along with centers, who snap and kneel as is customary in seven-on-seven competition.
The full schedule and times of events for the Pro Bowl Games is available at NFL.com.
