The NFL changed some of the rules and regulations of the Pro Bowl on Wednesday and it didn't sit well with everyone, most notably Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears.
The NFL's decision to ditch kick returns in the Pro Bowl in favor of player safety frustrated Hester, who openly stated his disgust with the rule change. According to the policy change, instead of kick returns, the ball will be placed on the 25-yard line after scoring plays and at the beginning of each quarter.
Hester, the league's all-time leader in kick and punt returns, was adamant Wednesday after the news broke of the change.
"If you are taking the returner out of the Pro Bowl, you're taking two positions out." Hester told the Chicago Tribune. "That will suck for me. They are trying to change up the whole game of football and they're messing with people's jobs and lives."
The main reason the league banned the returns was to protect players from getting injured in an exhibition game. While the Pro Bowl is the first event to take the kick return element out of the game completely, it may be just the beginning of something bigger. Commissioner Rodger Goodell moved kick-offs up to the 35-yard line in league play two seasons ago, and he's contemplated removing the return aspect from the game altogether for player safety.
Hester, 30, has the record for most career special teams touchdowns ever with 18, and says the Pro Bowl is usually a goal of his, but not this year after his position was taken out of the game.
"That was one of my goals for this season," the three-time Pro Bowler told the Chicago Tribune. "I won't make the Pro Bowl. They can't do that."
Unfortunately for Hester, the league can change the rule and did.
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
