The NFL announced that the 2011 Pro Bowl will return to Hawaii and be played the weekend before Super Bowl XLV at Aloha Stadium. Game time is Sunday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. ET.

Honolulu had been the home to the Pro-Bowl from 1980 through 2009 until a change was made and for the first time the game was played prior to the Super Bowl in 2010.

The decision to play the weekend before the Super Bowl again in 2011 was fueled by the increase in ratings and attendance for the 2010 game that was held in South Beach in January.

Although that 2010 Pro Bowl game was missing the players from both Super Bowl teams and the game had a slew of reserves, approximately 12.3 million viewers watched the game on ESPN. That number was a 40% increase from the 2009 game that was played the week after that Super Bowl.

The 12.3 million viewers also set a record for most
viewers to watch an All-Star game in any sport on cable television.

NFL Vice president Frank Supovitz commented on the change.

“Playing the Pro Bowl before the Super Bowl generated more excitement and interest in the event and also kicked off Super Bowl week in an innovative new way. We are pleased to return to the state of Hawaii, which has embraced the Pro Bowl for 30 years.”

The NFL Pro Bowl selections are in. Brett Favre (11th Pro Bowl) was among eight Minnesota Vikings who made the NFC Pro Bowl team, while Peyton Manning (10th Pro Bowl) was one of six Indianapolis Colts on the AFC squad.

One of the biggest surprises was the AFC North division champs Cincinnati Bengals (10-5) being snubbed in the voting.

Here is a complete list by team.

* Asterisk denotes starter

AFC Pro Bowl Selections

Balimore (5) * Ray Lewis, inside/middle linebacker
* Le’Ron McClain, fullback
* Haloti Ngata, interior lineman
* Ed Reed, free safety
Ray Rice, running back
Buffalo (1) Jairus Byrd, free safety
Cleveland (2) Joshua Cribbs, kick returner
Joe Thomas, tackle
Denver (5) Champ Bailey, cornerback
* Ryan Clady, tackle
* Brian Dawkins, strong safety
* Elvis Dumervil, outside linebacker
Brandon Marshall, wide receiver
Houston (4) Brian Cushing, outside linebacker
* Andre Johnson, wide receiver
DeMeco Ryans, inside/middle linebacker
Mario Williams, defensive end
Indianapolis (6) * Dallas Clark, tight end
* Dwight Freeney, defensive end
* Peyton Manning, quarterback
* Robert Mathis, defensive end
Jeff Saturday, center
* Reggie Wayne, wide receiver
Jacksonville (1) Maurice Jones-Drew, running back
Miami (1) * Jake Long, tackle
New England (4) Tom Brady, quarterback
* Logan Mankins, guard
Wes Welker, wide receiver
* Vince Wilfork, interior lineman
N.Y. Jets (3) * Alan Faneca, guard
* Nick Mangold, center
* Darrelle Revis, cornerback
Oakland (2) * Nnamdi Asomugha, cornerback
Shane Lechler, punter
Pittsburgh (2) Casey Hampton, interior lineman
* James Harrison, outside linebacker
San Diego (5) Kris Dielman, guard
Antonio Gates, tight end
Nate Kaeding, placekicker
Kassim Osgood, special teamer
Philip Rivers, quarterback
Tennessee (1) * Chris Johnson, running back

NFC Pro Bowl Selections

Arizona (4) * Darnell Dockett, interior lineman
* Larry Fitzgerald, wide receiver
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, cornerback
* Adrian Wilson, strong safety
Carolina (2) * Julius Peppers, defensive end
DeAngelo Williams, running back
Chicago (1) * Lance Briggs, outside linebacker
Dallas (6) Miles Austin, wide receiver
Leonard Davis, guard
* Andre Gurode, center
Jay Ratliff, interior lineman
* DeMarcus Ware, outside linebacker
Jason Witten, tight end
Green Bay (3) Nick Collins, free safety
Aaron Rodgers, quarterback
* Charles Woodson, cornerback
Minnesota (8) * Jared Allen, defensive end
Heath Farwell, special teamer
Brett Favre, quarterback
* Steve Hutchinson, guard
* Bryant McKinnie, tackle
* Adrian Peterson, running back
Sidney Rice, wide receiver
* Kevin Williams, interior lineman
New Orleans (5) * Drew Brees, quarterback
* Jahri Evans, guard
* Darren Sharper, free safety
Jonathan Stinchcomb, tackle
Jonathan Vilma, inside/middle linebacker
N.Y. Giants (1) Shaun O’Hara, center
Philadelphia (6) David Akers, placekicker
Trent Cole, defensive end
* DeSean Jackson, wide receiver/returner
* Jason Peters, tackle
* Asante Samuel, cornerback
* Leonard Weaver, fullback
San Francisco (3) * Vernon Davis, tight end
Andy Lee, punter
* Patrick Willis, inside/middle linebacker
St. Louis (1) Steven Jackson, running back
Washington (1) Brian Orakpo, outside linebacker

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax

Now that the NFL Pro Bowl game is completed the NFL season is officially over, it’s time to exchange last-second field goals and zebras tossing yellow hankies for LeBron slam dunks and NHL hockey brawls.

Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald continued his dominance in the NFL by winning the Pro Bowl MVP after catching 5 passes for 81 yards and 2 TD’s including a 46-yarder from Drew Brees and a 2-yarder from Eli Manning.

Placekicker 44-year-old John Carney was a perfect 3 out of 3 in field goal attempts pacing the NFC over the AFC 30-21. Carney is the oldest player ever to suit up in a Pro Bowl.

Brothers Peyton and Eli Manning were the first sibling combo to ever play in a Pro Bowl game and although Peyton had the better stats (12-of-17 for 151 yards 1 TD), Eli (8-of-14 for 111 yards 1 TD 1 INT)took home the victory.

Next year’s Pro Bowl will be played in Miami the week prior to the Super Bowl.

For video highlights go to NFL.com.

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax