NFL Pro Bowl -- Wives Dragon Players to Wild Welcome Party

NFL Pro Bowlers might be bad asses on the field -- but when it comes to exotic reptiles, they're giant wussies ... and TMZ Sportsgot pics to prove it.

Antonio Cromartie, Drew Brees, Golden Tate, Chris Harris Jr. were among the players at a Pro Bowl welcome party at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix Thursday night -- and came face-to-face with giant snakes, lizards, and alligators.

The Phoenix Herpetological Society brought the creatures, and its prez Russ Johnson tells us most of the players hung back while their wives and kids rushed to pet the animals. He adds some NFLers did eventually come over ... after a couple drinks.

Liquid courage never hurts.