NASCAR: Bubba Wallace thinks he should’ve won Pro Bowl MVP

NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace thinks he should’ve won the MVP Award for the NFL Pro Bowl, and we can’t say we disagree with him.

23XI Racing NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace didn’t initially know that he would be participating in the NFL Pro Bowl.

And with him being a NASCAR driver, we don’t blame him, considering no NASCAR driver has ever competed in American football’s annual all-star game — nor would there be any reason for one to do so.

However, with that game being a virtual contest this year on Madden NFL 21 thanks to a decision made several months ago as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, he got the chance to do so — and on late notice.

But he made the most of it.

“It was a last-minute request actually,” he said after speaking to us about his exciting new partnership with Kingsford and their Preserve the Pit initiative. “I think I was like a fill-in. But it all worked out.”

The game featured the video game version of the official AFC Pro Bowl roster against the official NFC Pro Bowl roster, and each team had four real-life individuals behind the controls, with each playing for one quarter.

Wallace was on the NFC squad along with Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray, Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowl strong safety Jamal Adams and former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch.

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Houston Texans Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson, Tennessee Titans Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry, former NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson and rapper Snoop Dogg made up the AFC squad.

Wallace’s team prevailed by a score of 32-12, and it was his performance in the second quarter that led to the rout. Despite him thinking of himself as the weak link, he scored touchdowns with Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf and Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook to build up a 26-6 halftime lead.

While this win hard counts as a legitimate “Pro Bowl” victory, it was technically the NFC’s first Pro Bowl win since the 2012 season, as the AFC is riding a four-game winning streak in real life from 2016 to 2019 after the ridiculous Pro Bowl draft format was abandoned after a three-year run from 2013 to 2015.

Murray was named the official MVP, despite Wallace’s performance.

“I thought I was the weakest link going into it,” Wallace admitted, “but ended up being the — I wouldn’t say the MVP since Kyler got it — but I think I should’ve gotten the MVP!”

He also noted that Watson, who has asked the Texans for a trade in real life, didn’t reveal anything about where he wanted to play next year

“No he didn’t!” Wallace said. “This was all for fun and games (laughter)!”

The Pro Bowl quarterback has been linked with more than half of the league’s 32 teams in one way or another following his trade request, although the Texans remain adamant that they have no plans to ship him out following his fourth season and first as the league’s leading passer.

Wallace went on to give us his Super Bowl LV pick for this evening’s game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“I’m going to go with the Chiefs,” he said. “I think it’ll be interesting. Going up against TB12 will be tough, but I’m pulling for the Chiefs.”

As for his real job, Bubba Wallace is set to make his 23XI Racing debut in the 63rd annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 14. This race is set to be broadcast live on Fox beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET to open up the 2021 Cup Series season.