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NFL Announces 2013 Pro Bowl to Remain in Hawaii

HONOLULU, HI - JANUARY 29:  Brandon Marshall #19 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates with fans during the 2012 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on January 29, 2012 in Honolulu, Hawaii.  (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
HONOLULU, HI - JANUARY 29: Brandon Marshall #19 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates with fans during the 2012 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on January 29, 2012 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
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Depite consideration to cancel the event following a lackluster game, the NFL and NFL Players Association today announced the 2013 Pro Bowl will be played the week before the Super Bowl in Hawaii. This is the fourth straight year the Pro Bowl has been played the Sunday before the Super Bowl, and the 33rd time the game has been in Hawaii.

The game has played in Hawaii's Aloha Stadium every year since 1980 except 2010, when it was played in Miami before the city hosted the Super Bowl.

Last year's game featured little to no defense, and players who obviously did not care about actually playing the game. As such, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had said the league was considering getting rid of the game altogether. Instead, the league will continue to play the game as before, but will look for ways to improve the on-the-field product.

"The players have made it clear through the NFL Players Association that they would like the opportunity to continue to play the Pro Bowl in Hawaii," said NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson. "We will support the players on this initiative to improve the Pro Bowl. We have had many discussions with the players in recent years about the Pro Bowl and they recognize that the quality of the game has not been up to NFL standards. We look forward to working with the players toward the goal of improving the competitiveness of this season's game."

"The players believe that the Pro Bowl is an important tradition," added NFLPA President Domonique Foxworth. "We worked hard with the league to make sure the best players in the NFL are honored for their achievements on the field."

Last year's game crowned then Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall the MVP after a record setting four touchdown performance. The Dolphins traded Marshall to the Chicago Bears this offseason.

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