On January 31^st, the NFL’s superstars suited up one last time to play a friendly game to end the 2009-2010 season. To increase the game’s attendance, the organizers of the Pro Bowl decided to play the game before the Super Bowl. This proved to be effective, as a crowd of 70,697 attended, which is the largest for a Pro Bowl since 1959 in Los Angeles. What was also different was that the game was held in South Florida instead of the usual Honolulu, Hawaii.

            The AFC defeated the NFC by a score of 41-34, and Matt Schaub of the Houston Texans was named the most valuable player. Schaub threw for 189 yards and two touchdowns. The roster for the AFC included: QB: Matt Schaub, Houston; Vince Young, Tennessee; David Garrard, Jacksonville. RB: Chris Johnson, Tennessee; Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville; Ray Rice, Baltimore. FB: Le’Ron McClain, Baltimore. WR: Andre Johnson, Houston; Brandon Marshall, Denver; Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati; Vincent Jackson, San Diego. TE: Antonio Gates, San Diego; Heath Miller, Pittsburgh. OT: Ryan Clady, Denver; Joe Thomas, Cleveland; D’Brickashaw Ferguson, N.Y. Jets. G: Logan Mankins, New England; Alan Faneca, N.Y. Jets; Kris Dielman, San Diego. C: Nick Mangold, N.Y. Jets; Kevin Mawae, Tennessee. DE: Mario Williams, Houston; Kyle Vanden Bosch, Tennessee; Shaun Ellis, N.Y. Jets. DT: Haloti Ngata, Baltimore; Vince Wilfork, New England; Casey Hampton, Pittsburgh. LB: Elvis Dumervil, Denver; James Harrison, Pittsburgh; LaMarr Woodley, Pittsburgh. MLB: Ray Lewis, Baltimore; DeMeco Ryans, Houston. CB: Darrelle Revis, N.Y. Jets; Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland; Champ Bailey, Denver. FS: Ed Reed, Baltimore; Brandon Meriweather, New England. SS: Brian Dawkins, Denver; Yeremiah Bell, Miami. P: Shane Lechler, Oakland; K: Dan Carpenter, Miami; KR: Josh Cribbs, Cleveland; Special Teamer: Kassim Osgood, San Diego; Long Snapper: Jon Condo, Oakland.

            The roster for the NFC included: QB: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay; Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia; Tony Romo, Dallas. RB: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota; DeAngelo Williams, Carolina; Frank Gore, San Francisco. FB: Leonard Weaver, Philadelphia. WR: DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia; Miles Austin, Dallas; Steve Smith, N.Y. Giants; Roddy White, Atlanta. TE: Vernon Davis, San Francisco; Jason Witten, Dallas. OT: Jason Peters, Philadelphia; David Diehl, N.Y. Giants. G: Steve Hutchinson, Minnesota; Leonard Davis, Dallas; Chris Snee, N.Y. Giants. C: Shaun O'Hara, N.Y. Giants; Ryan Kalil, Carolina. DE: Jared Allen, Minnesota; Julius Peppers, Carolina; Trent Cole, Philadelphia. DT: Darnell Dockett, Arizona; Jay Ratliff, Dallas; Justin Smith, San Francisco. OLB: DeMarcus Ware, Dallas; Brian Orakpo, Washington; Clay Matthews, Green Bay. MLB: London Fletcher, Washington; Jon Beason, Carolina. CB: Asante Samuel, Philadelphia; Terence Newman, Dallas; Mike Jenkins, Dallas. FS: Nick Collins, Green Bay; Antrel Rolle, Arizona. SS: Adrian Wilson, Arizona; Quintin Mikell, Philadelphia. P: Andy Lee, San Francisco. K: David Akers, Philadelphia. KR: Johnny Knox, Chicago. Special Teamer: Heath Farwell, Minnesota. Long Snapper: Jon Dorenbos, Philadelphia.

            Other players that did not play because of injuries include: Philip Rivers, Chargers; Tom Brady, Patriots; Wes Welker, Patriots; Jake Long, Dolphins; Brian Cushing, Texans; Jairus Byrd, Bills; Nate Kaeding, Chargers; Brett Favre, Vikings; Steven Jackson, Rams; Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals; Sidney Rice, Vikings; Andre Gurode, Cowboys; Kevin Williams, Vikings; Lance Briggs, Bears; Charles Woodson, Packers; Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Cardinals; Patrick Willis, 49ers.

            Players that did not play because they will participate in the Super Bowl are: Peyton Manning, Colts; Reggie Wayne, Colts; Dallas Clark, Colts; Jeff Saturday, Colts; Dwight Freeney, Colts; Robert Mathis, Colts; Antoine Bethea, Colts; Drew Brees, Saints; Jonathan Stinchcomb, Saints; Jahri Evans, Saints; Jonathan Goodwin, Saints; Jonathan Vilma, Saints; Darren Sharper, Saints; Roman Harper, Saints.

            The Pro Bowl will return to Honolulu in 2012 and 2013, but it’s still not determined if it will be played before or after the Super Bowl. Destinations for the Pro Bowl beyond the year 2013 have not yet been determined.