National Football League

Deion Sanders tweets he's playing in the Pro Bowl — Jerry Rice says bring it on

Published Jan. 13, 2014 11:57 p.m. ET

foxsports

In an attempt to drum up interest in the Pro Bowl, the NFL this season is turning to Hall of Famers Deion Sanders and Jerry Rice to captain and select the teams in a fantasy draft-style format this year. Apparently, the old guys want to ratchet up the "fantasy" element . . . and play in the games themselves.

After weeks of seemingly playful trash talk with his one-time teammate leading up to the Jan. 26 game in Honolulu, Sanders on Monday tweeted this:

Ladies and Gentlemen I am officially announcing "I WILL SUIT UP IN HAWAII" Please let @JerryRice know that a real captain leads by example!
— DeionSanders (@DeionSanders) January 13, 2014

Not one to back down from a challenge, Rice quickly replied — and apparently accepted:

Unfortunately for all you nostalgia buffs, the NFL reportedly put an end to the idea later Monday, according to Pro Football Talk:

The game will be played the Sunday before the Super Bowl. The roster of players who will make up Team Rice and Team Sanders was announced in late December, the players selected by fan, coach and player voting. The draft will be held on Jan. 22, with players whose team advance to the Super Bowl ineligible to take part in the Pro Bowl.

H/t: ESPN