The listing of occasions for the Professional Bowl video games was launched on Wednesday. This annual celebration of the NFL’s prime gamers has became summer season camp. Like summer season camp for youths, not coaching camp or an Illinois music competition. The gamers compete in occasions like dodgeball and tug of conflict, and the sport is now flag soccer as an alternative of deal with.
There are methods to make the Professional Bowl thrilling. Holding the occasion in Orlando is actually not considered one of them. It’s a beautiful metropolis, however Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Miami are all markets with NFL groups. The gamers who’ve kids can take them to Disney World on their very own time. Additionally, now that the NFL’s all-star weekend is the “Professional Bowl Video games” versus “the Professional Bowl recreation,” it’s time for the return of one of many league’s greatest concepts: Roger Goodell, carry again the bench-press contest.
One of the crucial memorable moments in NFL historical past was Larry Allen’s efficiency in that occasion throughout the 2006 Professional Bowl weekend. For many who one way or the other have by no means seen this video on social media, the competition was not the best single max bench press. It was like mix week yet again for the members. Whoever pressed 225 kilos probably the most occasions was the winner.
Allen obtained that barbell off of his chest 43 consecutive occasions. ESPN’s Chris Berman gave an ideal description of this legendary efficiency proper after its conclusion. He mentioned that the primary 30 reps, “it was like he was lifting a salad fork.”
This is without doubt one of the most spectacular athletic feats I’ve ever seen. Usain Bolt working 9.58, 100-meter sprint, Tyson Fury getting up after getting knocked down twice in the identical spherical by Deontay Wilder, Vince Carter leaping over Frédéric Weis’ head, and Allen having a better time lifting 225 kilos than the typical particular person wheeling a 50-pound suitcase, that’s the listing.
Data, nonetheless, are supposed to be damaged and I need to see a number of the present NFL behemoths attempt to prime Allen’s legendary mark. How about Aaron Donald? His exercise movies are nearly as a lot enjoyable to observe as his tossing round opposing offensive linemen. And Trent Williams is a human snow plow when the San Francisco 49ers run behind him.
Penei Sewell, Dexter Lawrence, Frank Ragnow, Tyron Smith, there are some huge males within the NFL who recurrently dominate gamers of comparable measurement. Watching two groups of males that measurement attempt to pull one another over a line in a tug of conflict could possibly be entertaining. Hopefully, the rope doesn’t snap as a result of two groups of linemen pulling in reverse instructions is sort of a little bit of stress.
The Professional Bowl video games are one occasion during which the NFL may use rather less creativity. Very robust individuals play the game. How about having them compete within the exercise that’s hottest on the well being membership?
For all the complaints that the commissioner has concerning the Professional Bowl, he refuses to carry again the very best occasion within the historical past of the weekend. Goodell, give us the bench press competitors. It’s not exhausting.