So long, Pro Bowl: NFL eliminates its all-star game, but will still honor players

The NFL has eliminated the Pro Bowl game.

Pro Bowl honors will remain but there will no longer be any sort of tackle football or flag football game played among the honorees.

"The Pro Bowl has always been about recognizing the players who distinguish themselves as the very best in the NFL," NFL executive vice president Peter O'Reilly said in a statement "A Pro Bowl selection will return to its original purpose, honoring the best of the best. We want that distinction to carry even greater meaning for the players, their families, their clubs and our fans."

By canceling the Pro Bowl event, the NFL is the first major American professional sports league to call it quits on its all-star game.

With no need to fill up rosters for an event, there will also no longer be Pro Bowl alternates. Instead, only 88 players will be selected as Pro Bowlers at the end of the season. An event honoring Pro Bowlers will be held instead of the game.

Six Texans made last year's Pro Bowl : linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair , defensive end Will Anderson, safety Calen Bullock , wide receiver Nico Collins , cornerback Kamari Lassiter and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.

"This direction came directly from our continued conversations with players and what they value most about the Pro Bowl," NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said in a statement. "Being selected by your peers, coaches and fans as one of the very best at your position carries tremendous meaning. We heard clearly that the distinction matters, and our focus is on making the recognition that comes with it worthy of what these players accomplished on the field."