The Pro Bowl Games: The Disney Channel Games for Adult NFL Fans
The NFL playoffs have finally wrapped up, and the Super Bowl is just around the corner. The Chiefs are making their third straight appearance—a historic achievement—while the Eagles return hungry for a rematch of the 2023 championship game. But before we watch Mahomes and Hurts work their magic, there’s one final stop: the Pro Bowl.
Every year, the NFL hosts this event the weekend before the Super Bowl to recognize the league’s top players from the season. Coaches, players, and fans each contribute one-third of the vote to determine the roster. Traditionally, the Pro Bowl was a tackle football match between the AFC and NFC’s best, but over time, fans felt it lacked the excitement of regular-season football. So in 2023, the NFL rebranded it as the Pro Bowl Games—a week-long event featuring various skill competitions that allow players to earn points for their conference, culminating in a flag football game coached by former stars.
If this format sounds familiar, it’s because it is. If you grew up watching Disney Channel in the early 2000s, you probably remember the Disney Channel Games—where our favorite stars competed in fun, team-based challenges, each representing a color-coordinated squad led by a celebrity captain. Basically, the Pro Bowl Games are a remake of the Disney Channel Games for NFL-loving adults. Still not convinced? Let’s break it down.
They’re All in This Together
The first and most obvious similarity? Color-coded teams. The Disney Channel Games had four (Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow), while the Pro Bowl sticks to two—AFC vs. NFC. But in both cases, the teams are filled with the best of the best. Whether it’s TV stars or NFL standouts, individual rivalries take a backseat as everyone comes together for a greater cause. Once the games begin, it’s not about being a Hannah Montana cast member or a Cincinnati Bengals player anymore—it’s about winning.
The Best of Both Worlds
Sure, competition makes these events exciting, but the real fun is seeing your favorites in a whole new light. The Disney Channel Games gave fans a chance to see young stars step outside their usual roles, showcasing hidden talents alongside their playful personalities. Similarly, the Pro Bowl Games let these athletes prove why they are the best of the best while also having a fun break from the constant rise and grind.
While players from Super Bowl-bound teams don’t participate, the rest put on quite a show. From strength and speed challenges to quirky skill-based contests like Kick Tac Toe (where kickers play Tic-Tac-Toe by hitting a giant board with footballs), the Pro Bowl Games are the perfect balance between athleticism and entertainment.
Get’cha Head in the Game
Neither event technically "counts" for anything, but that doesn’t mean the players don’t take it seriously. Just like the Disney Channel Games, where teams racked up points across competitions like Simon Says, Hamster Ball Relay, and Outrageous Obstacle Course, the Pro Bowl Games keep score throughout the week.
The AFC vs. NFC rivalry involves both mental and physical challenges, from quizzes and trivia to skill tests like Precision Passing and Satisfying Catches. It’s all about strategy, skill, and bragging rights.
They’re One in a Million
At their core, both events celebrate talented stars at the top of their game. But no great team is complete without a fearless leader.
The Disney Channel Games featured some legendary captains—Zac Efron, Brenda Song, Dylan Sprouse, and David Henrie were some of the stars leading the squads. Meanwhile, the Pro Bowl has found its own iconic duo to lead each side: the talented brothers Eli and Peyton Manning. The two legendary quarterbacks, each representing their former conferences (NFC and AFC, respectively), aim to lead their teams with the same competitive fire they had on the field.
The Pro Bowl Games kicked off on January 30 with the Skills Show and will culminate with the big flag game final today at 3 PM ET. Whether you’re tuning in for their impressive skills, the fun hidden moments throughout the competitions, or to catch a glimpse of Joe Burrow, the Pro Bowl Games are definitely worth a watch if you’re trying to fill the Disney Channel nostalgia-shaped hole in your life since they are definitely giving us the same vibes. And honestly? We’re not complaining.