Pro Bowl adds Kick-Tac-Toe
Kids 14-under, parents also can run on field
In an X’s-and-O’s sport, the fit seems natural.
Kick-Tac-Toe, based on the game so many played as children, is coming to the Pro Bowl. Speaking of kids, the NFL also plans to put that youthful energy to good use with the Pro Bowl Kids Takeover, allowing children 14 and younger and their parents to run on the field after the game this month at Camping World Stadium.
The league announced both additions Monday.
“When you think about the Pro Bowl, it’s all about access,’’ NFL senior vice president of events Peter O’Reilly said.
The Pro Bowl will be held for the second year in a row in Orlando at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 28. ESPN, ABC (WFTV-Ch. 9) and ESPN Deportes will broadcast it.
O’Reilly said ticket sales are on pace with last year when demand prompted the league to make standing-room-only tickets available.
“We’re confident that we will be sold out again,’’ O’Reilly said.
Like in 2017, the buildup to the Pro Bowl will begin several days before the 88 players from the AFC and NFC congregate for an exhibition the week before Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4 in Minneapolis.
Specific events should be announced soon, according to O’Reilly, but Kick-Tac-Toe will be involved. In a test of accuracy and strategy — or as much strategy as can be involved in tic-tac-toe — kickers and punters will boot three balls in a row onto a large board.
Kick-Tac-Toe will be added to the free NFL Pro Bowl Experience, which includes interactive games and will be open to the public during Pro Bowl Week at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
“Putting up an LED board and allowing them to pick their spot and mark it with an X or O and play a game, it’s under the whole spirit of [focusing] on what ridiculous skills these guys have,’’ O’Reilly said.
The idea for Kick-TacToe came from the NFL’s production company, the same one behind “American Ninja Warrior,’’ according to O’Reilly. It is part of the Pro Bowl Skills Showdown, which will be taped in advance and broadcast on ESPN at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25.
As for the Pro Bowl Kids Takeover, it is part house of fun, part postgame celebration for the younger set. This nonhostile takeover became possible with the shift to an afternoon start on a school night, O’Reilly said.
“When we shifted from the 8 o’clock game, it provided an opportunity to create this window where, let’s [have children] come down on the field where the Pro Bowl players just played, throw a Nerf ball around and experience that,’’ O’Reilly said.
And who knows? Maybe a future pro will emerge. 2018 PRO BOWL