AFC Wins 2017 Pro Bowl In Front Of Sold-Out Orlando Crowd
The AFC defeated the NFC 20-13 in the 2017 edition of the Pro Bowl, the first to be played in Orlando.
Camping World Stadium hosted the best from the NFL in front of 60,834 fans.
“It was an unbelievable feeling; like a dream come true,” Green Bay Packers safety and Dr. Philips alum Ha Ha Clinton-Dix said. “Playing in the Pro Bowl in my backyard made it even more special. When it was announced that the Pro Bowl was coming to Orlando my family was already buying tickets and it made me go a little extra to try and get here.”
The game – and the new host city — proved to be a hit with the players.
“It was great for me, I got to bring a couple family members up here,” Indianapolis Colts wide receiver (and FIU alum) T.Y. Hilton said. “This crowd was amazing. Anytime you get to play in Florida its special. I love coming to Universal and Disney World so you know I loved this weekend.”
Representatives from 30 teams (excluding Super Bowl participants Atlanta and New England) made the trip to Orlando to spend a week in the fun and sun of Central Florida.
“This is my first Pro Bowl so I don’t know what Hawaii is like but this is cool,” Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans said. “Most of the guys were saying that this was better and I can see why. This was the most fun I’ve ever had.”
Despite rain earlier in the week, the game stayed dry and the air was a cool 55.
“The heaters aren’t supposed to be on in Florida,” Hilton said laughing.
The game featured fan favorites such as Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott and New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
With two minutes left in the game a fan ran onto the field and immediately hugged Elliott. Elliott was then seen running down the field with the fan blocking the security guards trying to get him. After the fan ran into the end-zone he was escorted out by security.
“He told me he just wanted to score a touchdown so I decided to help him out,” Elliott said.
Although it was a mostly defensive game, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce earned offensive MVP honors with three catches for 36 yards and a touchdown. He also caught a pass from Chiefs teammate Dustin Colquitt on a fake field goal to help the AFC score later in the drive.
“We ran that fake field goal at KC a few years ago against Pittsburgh. Me and Dustin have ran that play a thousand times so it was clockwork,” Kelce said. “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t enjoy myself. This takes the cake.
“Having so much family and friends in the stands made it worthwhile. It’s a whole lot easier to get the friends and family to Orlando than it is to Hawaii, that’s for sure.”