Although the National Football League continues to boast the unofficial title as America’s Pastime (sorry, MLB) and the league’s television ratings are off the charts, NFL execs still haven’t figured out how to get fans excited about the Pro Bowl. The league is on the right track as they strive to make their all-star game more accessible to fans.
A few years ago, the NFL made a controversial decision to hold the Pro Bowl in Miami the week before the Super Bowl. This year, the game returns to its much more popular Hawaii setting for a second straight year. I know, I know – how is Hawaii more accessible for me, the fan who already pays too much in ticket sales/merchandise, than the city that hosts the Super Bowl? Well, this year the league has introduced live tweeting to the mix. Players will be encouraged to interact with their fans and fellow players on Twitter via a computer set up on the sidelines.
It’s not the first time all-stars have been able to tweet as part of the week-long festivities as Major League Baseball allowed its players to live tweet from the 2011 Home Run Derby in Arizona this past summer. It is however, a monumental weekend in the National Football League as players are normally prohibited from interacting with fans via social media 90 minutes prior to kickoff and until post-game interviews have wrapped.
In a game that celebrates all the amazing players that helped make the 2011 season a memorable one, it’s only fitting Twitter should play a major role in incorporating fans into the Honolulu festivities. After all – had players and fans not been as vocal via social throughout the 2011 NFL Lockout, there’s a good chance this season would not have even been played.
It’s a step in the right direction, but as Lee Evans knows well, everything hinges on your second step. Let’s hope the NFL will make it easier for players to interact with their adoring fans more and more in 2012 and beyond.
Since Chad Ochocinco (@Ochocinco) will not be playing in this year’s Pro Bowl (both because his stats didn’t warrant Pro Bowl status and because his Patriots will be playing in Super Bowl XLVI the following week in Indianapolis), I’ve included a few players to follow based on their tweets during the season and already this week:
Miami Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall (@BMarshall19) holds giveaway for free Pro Bowl ticket:
Indianapolis Colts DE Dwight Freeney (@DwightFreeney) thanks fans for season-long support, voting him into Pro Bowl:
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace (@Wallace17_daKid) highlights NFL Play 60 efforts in community during Pro Bowl Week:
Cincinnati Bengals WR AJ Green (@AJGreen_18) and Philadelphia Eagles RB Lesean McCoy (@CutonDime25) brag about the wonderful weather and beaches:
Honorable mentions DeMarcus Ware (@DeMarcusWare); Terrell Suggs (@untouchablejay4); Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12)
What do you think of the live tweeting? Will you be following the Pro Bowlers and the #ProBowl hashtag? How would you improve viewership/interest in the Pro Bowl (or other major league all-star games)? Leave a comment and let me know!