The NFL used to have a third place game between the runner ups from each conference, back in the 50's, and very early 60's. I remember The Lions playing in several. The Pro-Bowl as we know it today started in 1971, matching the NFC All Pros vs. the AFC All Pros. The game moved around several warm weather US cities, until finding its permanent home in Honolulu in 1980. The game in 1971 paid $2000 to winning players and $1500 to the losers. Last year the winners got $30,000 and the losers $15,000.
wil.