2021 Pro Bowl will be played in Las Vegas
The NFL announced Tuesday that the 2021 Pro Bowl will take place in Las Vegas at the new home of the Raiders, Allegiant Stadium, on January 31.
For the last three years, the Pro Bowl has been played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The venue for this season's All-Star Game will put the NFL's newest stadium and market on full display.
"We look forward to partnering with the Raiders and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to bring the excitement of Pro Bowl week to our Las Vegas fans and community for the first time," Peter O'Reilly, NFL EVP of club business and league events, said in a statement. "We thank the city of Orlando for its outstanding partnership in helping us to grow and evolve the Pro Bowl over the last four years. To our partners at Florida Citrus Sports, Camping World Stadium, ESPN Wide World of Sports, and Visit Orlando, we appreciate your tremendous efforts over the years and look forward to creating more memorable moments together in the future."
The weeklong event will include various activities in Las Vegas, including the NFL FLAG Championship games, team practices for both the NFC and AFC teams and the Pro Bowl Skills Showdown.
"The Raiders welcome the NFL Pro Bowl to Allegiant Stadium and to Las Vegas, the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World," Raiders president Marc Badain said. "Pro Bowl week is a celebration of the best the NFL has to offer and there is no better place than Las Vegas to celebrate and honor the league's biggest stars. The NFL, the LVCVA and the Raiders look forward to a world class event that will set the standard for future NFL events in Las Vegas."
Las Vegas was originally supposed to host the 2020 NFL Draft, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the draft was done as a remote, virtual experience. The city will now host the 2022 draft instead.
View photos of the Giants' active roster as it currently stands.
OT Jackson Barton
WR C.J. Board
CB James Bradberry
LB Cam Brown
LB TJ Brunson
DB Adrian Colbert
LB Carter Coughlin
LB Tae Crowder
P Riley Dixon
LB Devante Downs
(Kevin Terrell via AP)
S Nate Ebner
TE Evan Engram
LB Kyler Fackrell
OT Cameron Fleming
RB Wayne Gallman
K Graham Gano
G Nick Gates
DB Madre Harper
G Will Hernandez
DL B.J. Hill
(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
DB Darnay Holmes
DT Austin Johnson
QB Daniel Jones
LS Casey Kreiter
DE Niko Lalos
DL Dexter Lawrence
G Shane Lemieux
RB Dion Lewis
CB Julian Love
WR Austin Mack
LB Blake Martinez
LB David Mayo
QB Colt McCoy
DL R.J. McIntosh
(Scott Boehm via AP)
DB Xavier McKinney
RB Alfred Morris
OL Kyle Murphy
OT Matt Peart
S Jabrill Peppers
WR Dante Pettis
C Spencer Pulley
DB Logan Ryan
DE Jabaal Sheard
WR Sterling Shepard
WR Darius Slayton
(AP Photo/Michael Perez)
TE Kaden Smith
WR Golden Tate III
OT Andrew Thomas
TE Levine Toilolo
DL Dalvin Tomlinson
DL Leonard Williams
CB Isaac Yiadom
G Kevin Zeitler
Goodell discusses adapting to changing circumstances on ESPN's 'The Return of Sports' Special
On Monday night, ESPN hosted a conversation with commissioners from the top U.S. sports leagues regarding the resumption of competition amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"SportsCenter Special: The Return of Sports" consisted of Commissioners Roger Goodell (NFL), Adam Silver (NBA), Rob Manfred (MLB), Gary Bettman (NHL), Cathy Engelbert (WNBA) and Don Garber (MLS).
Goodell touched on several topics in his conversation with ESPN’s Mike Greenberg, including the decision to not push the start of free agency or the draft.
"It was difficult for all of us to sort of predict even a couple days in advance," Goodell said Monday. "But our approach really Mike, was to stay on schedule, to do the things that we do in the offseason but, adapt and change and do things under the circumstances that we needed to do to keep all of our personnel safe. Whether they were team personnel or players or perspective players, with our Draft eligible players. So staying with free agency, to make sure that we went through that process, I think our fans loved it. It was something, it was distraction from what everyone was going through.
"Of course, the Draft was extraordinary. We could not have been happier. We had great partners in ESPN in the way we pulled that off from a technical standpoint and even our clubs who had some reservations going into it. I think they really came away and said, 'this was a great experience, we learned a lot, we did it within the guidelines established, we kept everyone safe.' And I think that once again we proved that we can bring everyone together and we had a great opportunity to be able to really do something great for the people on the frontlines that were going through so much and helping us so much. It's been a different offseason for us, it should be but, it has also given us the chance to show that we can adapt and do things right."
While the offseason has run as smoothly as one could hope given the circumstances the country is facing, the NFL will soon encounter the contact portion of the year as teams prepare for the start of training camp. It was reported Monday that several players on the Texans and Cowboys, including running back Ezekiel Elliott, tested positive for the coronavirus. However, Goodell said that the positive tests don't change the league's plans for the start of camp, and that more should be expected as testing becomes more available around the country.
"All of our medical experts indicated that as testing becomes more prevalent, we are going to have positive tests," Goodell said. "Our players are going to be in that, our personnel are going to be in that, our league office employees are going to be involved. So, positive tests are going to happen. The issue is can we, obviously, prevent as many of those from happening but, in addition, treat them quickly, isolate them and prevent them from impacting other personnel.
"So, none of those players were in the facilities. All of those players, fortunately, have had either mild symptoms or were asymptomatic, and I think our protocols are working. And again, we expect we are going to have positive tests. That is part of the increased testing that we will be going through and that is something that we just want to make sure that our protocols are working and to date, we are seeing very positive reactions in the sense that we are making sure we respond quickly, protect the personnel that may be impacted by that and others that may be in contact with them."
Darius Slayton eyeing big Year 2
Darius Slayton is coming off quite an impressive rookie season. After missing the first two games of the year, the 2019 fifth-round pick went on to catch 48 passes for 740 yards and eight touchdowns, matching Tennessee's A.J. Brown for the NFL rookie lead in touchdown catches.
His eight touchdowns are tied for the third-most by a rookie in franchise history, two behind Bill Swiacki (1948) and four off Odell Beckham Jr.'s record set in 2014. He also ranks fifth in receiving yards and is tied for sixth in catches on the Giants' all-time rookie leaderboard.
Slayton said his goal heading into Year 2 is "playing with a tremendous amount of confidence." At this time last year, he was working to erase the first impression he gave at rookie minicamp, where he couldn't catch a football, let alone a tennis ball.
"My confidence is something that built as the year went on last year," said Slayton, who caught five of his eight touchdowns and had both of his 100-yard games (121 yards at Jets and 154 at Philadelphia) in the second half of the season, in an interview with Giants.com. "Hopefully this year, I'll be able to hit it Week 1 running. It's mostly internal. It's just all in your head to me. Especially for receivers, to get the ball you've got to catch it, catch it low, high, behind you. I think it just starts from having unwavering faith in your hands basically."
Slayton and a handful of Giants skill players recently worked out in Texas with Daniel Jones, another promising sophomore. Jones led all rookies in touchdown passes in 2019 with 24, three shy of the NFL rookie record set by Baker Mayfield in 2018.
"[The chemistry] is growing. Right now we're working on him consistently answering the phone," Slayton joked. "That's kind of the next step in our relationship. He's gotten better. I know he's working hard. I'm working hard where I am, and I know we're both ready to be back together [at the facility]."
View the best images from Darius Slayton's breakout 2019 campaign
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) makes a touchdown catch against Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes (29) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants' Darius Slayton runs past New York Jets' Marcus Maye (20) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steven Ryan)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) makes a catch during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Monday December 9th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton looks on while working out prior to an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) catches a pass in the end zone to score a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) celebrates with wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) after leading his team to score a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants in overtime, 23-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) catches the football on his way to scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants in overtime, 23-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) runs onto the field during warmups prior to an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants in overtime, 23-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants' Darius Slayton (86) stiff-arms Philadelphia Eagles' Ronald Darby (21) to score a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) scores a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants' Darius Slayton scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Darius Slayton reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Darius Slayton (86) runs to score a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) is stopped by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Rasul Douglas (32) and Eagles outside linebacker Nigel Bradham (53) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants' Darius Slayton, left, runs past Philadelphia Eagles' Ronald Darby to score a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
New York Giants' Darius Slayton, left, and Saquon Barkley celebrate after Slayton scored a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) celebrates with quarterback Eli Manning (10) and other teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants' Darius Slayton (86) runs to score a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
New York Giants' Darius Slayton (86) stiff-arms Philadelphia Eagles' Ronald Darby (21) to score a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
New York Giants' Darius Slayton (86) breaks free from Philadelphia Eagles' Ronald Darby (21) to score a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
New York Giants' Darius Slayton, right, and Sterling Shepard celebrate after a touchdown by Slayton during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Darius Slayton scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Darius Slayton, right, runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) runs after a catch during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) runs during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Colts 19-14. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) runs in front of Chicago Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) runs for yardage after a catch during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday Nov. 10, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets defeated the Giants 34-27. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Green Bay Packers cornerback Kevin King (20) covers New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Green Bay Packers won 31-13. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Skayton (86) scores a touchdown while defended by New York Jets safety Matthias Farley (41) during an NFL football game Sunday Nov. 10, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets defeated the Giants 34-27. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 18, 2019 in Pasadena, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates with Darius Slayton (86) after Slayton scored a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steven Ryan)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) makes a touchdown catch against Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes (29) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) celebrates withrunning back Elijhaa Penny (39) after scoring a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton, right, runs away from New York Jets' Nate Hairston for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) celebrates his touchdown throw to New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) catches a pass during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Cowboys defeated the Giants 37-18. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) catches a touchdown pass against Detroit Lions defensive back Rashaan Melvin (29) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Detroit. The Lions defeated the Giants 31-26. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) celebrates his touchdown run against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) warms up before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 18, 2019 in Pasadena, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 18, 2019 in Pasadena, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 18, 2019 in Pasadena, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) makes a touchdown catch against Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes (29) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 18, 2019 in Pasadena, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) poses for a portrait during the NFLPA Rookie Premiere on Saturday, May 18, 2019 in Pasadena, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) runs the ball against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. (AP Images/Rick Osentoski)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86), defended by Detroit Lions cornerback Rashaan Melvin (29), catches a 28-yard pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions defensive back Miles Killebrew (35) grabs New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) makes a touchdown catch during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday October 6, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) is tackled by Detroit Lions cornerback Rashaan Melvin after a 22-yard pass reception for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
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