NFL eliminates Pro Bowl after more than 70 years

(CBS, KYMA) - After more than 70 years, the Pro Bowl is no more as the National Football League (NFL) announced it's doing away with the All-Star exhibition game dating back to 1951.

The NFL says 88 players will still be named as Pro Bowlers, all selected through the same process of votes from fans, players, and coaches, with no alternates.

This season's honorees will be celebrated at events in Los Angeles, with several flag football games slated to be played at that time, even though the main game pitting the AFC against the NFC won't be played.

League executives say they reached the decision after having conversations with multiple star players in recent months.

"Let's not be afraid to lead in this area and okay to be the first league to walk away from a 'competitive All-Star game' and focus on what the Pro Bowl is all about in this case, which is the honor, the best of the best," said Peter O'Reilly, NFL Executive VP, Club Business, International, and League Events.

Pro Bowl game popularity has fallen in recent years.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters the quality of the exhibition game is not up to the league's standards.

Once a staple in Hawaii, games had recently moved around to different host cities, switching from tackle football to flag football in the last three years.