Someone who wasn’t named a Pro Bowler, but should have been

SNUB

Think of a term used when a deserving player is overlooked for an award or honor, often sparking debate among fans. It’s also a word for a small, blunt rejection.

This clue plays on the idea of a "snub," which means being overlooked or ignored despite deserving recognition. In the NFL, a Pro Bowler is a player voted into the Pro Bowl for their standout performance, so someone left out unfairly would be called a "snub." The word fits perfectly as both a literal description of the situation and the answer itself. It’s a straightforward but clever way to hint at the term without giving it away directly.