who made pro bowl

The Pro Bowl as an NFL “all-star” concept was created in the late 1930s, and the modern Pro Bowl format was authorized in 1950 and first played in January 1951.

Quick answer

• The original NFL All-Star Game (the forerunner of the Pro Bowl) was created in 1938–1939 by:
  • George Preston Marshall (Washington franchise owner).

* Bill Henry (Los Angeles Times sports editor).

* Tom Gallery (promoter).

• The first official Pro Bowl under that name and modern concept was authorized by NFL commissioner Bert Bell , with the league’s 13 owners approving the relaunch and “Pro Bowl” moniker in 1950; the first game was played in January 1951.

So, in short:

• Marshall, Henry, and Gallery created the original all-star game that became the Pro Bowl’s ancestor.

• Bert Bell and the NFL owners formally created the Pro Bowl as an annual all-star game starting with the 1951 contest.

Mini timeline: How the Pro Bowl was born

• 1939–1942: NFL All-Star Game starts the idea
  • NFL champion New York Giants vs a team of pro all‑stars in Los Angeles, devised by George Preston Marshall, Bill Henry, and Tom Gallery.

* This format effectively “births” the Pro Bowl concept, even though it isn’t yet called the Pro Bowl.

• World War II pause
  • Travel restrictions and wartime conditions halt the all‑star games after the 1942 edition.

• 1950–1951: Official Pro Bowl is created
  • NFL commissioner Bert Bell pushes to revive the all‑star concept to promote the growing league.

* In June 1950, the league’s 13 owners vote to relaunch the event under the name **“Pro Bowl”** , with Los Angeles–based groups bidding to host.

* The first official Pro Bowl, matching top players from the American/Eastern vs National/Western conferences, is played in January 1951 in Los Angeles.

Today’s context and why it matters

• Being selected to the Pro Bowl is still considered a major honor on a player’s résumé, even though fans often complain about the level of effort and the game’s entertainment value.

• The event has evolved into skills challenges and “Pro Bowl Games” style activities, but the roots go back to that 1930s all‑star experiment and the 1951 formal Pro Bowl launch.

Meta description:
“Who made the Pro Bowl? Learn who actually created the NFL’s Pro Bowl, from the 1930s all‑star founders George Preston Marshall, Bill Henry, and Tom Gallery to commissioner Bert Bell and the 1951 official Pro Bowl launch.”

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