Tyler Eifert Vows Never to Return to Pro Bowl

Every year, more and more players are choosing not to participate in the Pro Bowl: the NFL’s pitiful excuse for an All-Star game that demands intrigue and entertainment from players that refuse to play ball and fans that couldn’t care less. Injured Cincinnati Bengals tight end, Tyler Eifert, has taken a clearer stand than most, vowing to never return to the game again.

When asked if the injury made him reconsider participating in future Pro Bowls, Eifert simply stated, “It’s just not worth it.”

Leaping up for a potential touchdown grab, Eifert landed awkwardly on the way down. He injured his ankle late in the meaningless contest last season; a scare that has kept him immobile for most of the offseason and still day-to-day as training camp opens for most teams.

The negative tests that followed suggested Eifert would be back to full strength in time for May’s OTAs, but the hidden tear of a sensitive ligament forced Eifert into surgery. That has pushed his recovery time back – tentatively – to the start of the regular season.

The third-year TE with prototypical size was one of Andy Dalton’s favorite red zone targets last year. Despite pedestrian stats in catches and receiving yards, Eifert led all Bengals with 13 touchdowns.

His absence from training camp because of a totally avoidable injury has prompted new discussion on changing the Pro Bowl.

The full-contact nature of the NFL has rendered it impossible to deliver an All-Star game comparable to its compelling regular season. The MLB’s Mid-Summer Classic remains as competitive – or, perhaps, more competitive – than the average regular season game, while the NBA showcases deadly dunks, tremendous teamwork and wild 1-on-1 pick-up games – and the fans eat it up.

Even the NHL, which also suffers from an All-Star weekend lacking in contact and competition, at least boasts 3-on-3 action in a tournament-style series, paired with skills events to entertain the fans.

Last year, the NFL set a record for the most declined invitations to the Pro Bowl. The contest is already an All-Star event in name only. If more players start taking Eifert’s side, the Super Bowl appetiser will more closely resemble the Hall of Fame Game.