The 2015 NFL Pro Bowl took place on Sunday night, marking the second to last game in the 2014 season before the Feb. 1 Super Bowl XLIX game.
For the second consecutive year, fans watched selected professional football players from the league’s 32 teams compete against one another under coaches and Hall-of-Famers Michael Irvin and Cris Carter.
Team Irvin, suited in orange uniforms, and Team Carter in yellow, competed against one another in Glendale, Arizona at the University of Phoenix stadium, the same location next weekend’s Super Bowl will commence. The 2015 game is the first in over 30 years that the pro players have not competed at the Aloha Stadium in Hawaii.
American Idol winner Jordin Sparks sang the national anthem at the opening of the game and Nico & Vinz performed “Am I wrong” during the halftime show.
Also during the halftime show, Sportscaster Chris Berman interviewed next weekend’s Super Bowl quarterbacks: New England Patriots’ Tom Brady and Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson. Brady, who will compete in his sixth Super Bowl, was selected for the Pro Bowl and declined. Wilson, who will compete in his second Super Bowl, was not selected to compete in the Pro Bowl.
“I really admire what he’s been able to accomplish in such a short period of time,” Brady said of his competitor. “He’s a great leader for that team. I can see why they’ve got to this point.”
Wilson also commented on his 10plus-year senior competitor: “It’s going to be a battle. You’re going against one of the best quarterbacks ever to play the game…We know its gong to be a battle and we’re looking forward to that opportunity. We’re not going to shy away from it.”
Team Irvin won the game with a 32-28 lead over Team Carter. Each individual winning player took home $55,000 versus the $27,000 losing players pocketed.
Super Bowl XLIX will air on Feb. 1 at 3:30 p.m. PST on NBC.
Duke Ihenacho, Defensive Back for the Washington Redskins
This probowl has actually been way more entertaining to watch than the last 10
— Duke Ihenacho (@NachoLyfe) January 26, 2015
Just arrived at the #ProBowl2015 & even though this is an amazing experience… There’s nothing like Super Bowl Sunday! #7Days #GoHawks
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) January 26, 2015
About to sing the anthem! Are you tuned into @espn?? #nerves #ProBowl2015
— Jordin Sparks (@JordinSparks) January 26, 2015
So stoked…I love football! #TEAMIRVIN #ORANGE #probowl2015 http://t.co/ZNhmS24sjd
— Jordin Sparks (@JordinSparks) January 26, 2015
No better way to travel! Headed to the Pro Bowl! pic.twitter.com/MQELBcjLvP
— Drew Brees (@drewbrees) January 21, 2015
