In February, the NFL is set to enhance its Pro Bowl skills competition with the introduction of a game show and a punting contest.
On Thursday, the league revealed an exciting lineup of challenges that will include events such as tug-of-war and dodgeball.
The activities are scheduled to take place in Central Florida, culminating on February 2 with a seven-on-seven flag football match featuring teams from the AFC and NFC.
This year’s new additions consist of “Helmet Harmony,” a game show designed to gauge players’ familiarity with their teammates, along with “Punt Perfect.”
In the Punt Perfect contest, teams will comprise one punter and one non-punter from each conference, who will aim to kick as many footballs as possible into six designated buckets located in the end zone, starting from the 35-yard line.
Traditional passing and receiving events are getting fresh updates as well.
Quarterbacks will compete to strike targets placed at various distances, each offering different point values, all within a time limit of 40 seconds.
Prior to the challenge, each quarterback will select a teammate from the Pro Bowl and answer five trivia questions relating to current Pro Bowl players; each correct answer contributes an extra 10 seconds to their time limit, boosting their chances in the challenge.
In another exciting competition, one wide receiver, tight end, and defensive back from each conference will navigate an obstacle course designed for catching, which includes throws from a JUGS machine set at three different distances, aimed at testing all aspects of catching a football.
Additional contests will feature a relay race and a “great football race” involving six players from each conference competing in a relay composed of five distinct challenges, ending with a sled push.
This iteration marks the third year of the Pro Bowl Games, a format adopted after the NFL replaced its traditional full-contact all-star game with engaging weeklong skills competitions followed by a flag football game.
Both Peyton and Eli Manning are returning as head coaches representing the two conferences.
Fans can tune in to the live broadcast of the skills challenges on Thursday, January 30, on ESPN from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET.
The flag football game is scheduled to take place at Camping World Stadium and will be aired at 3 p.m. ET on both ESPN and ABC.