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Attending a Pro Bowl in Honolulu is your tailor made, quintessential "road trip". After
all, Aloha Stadium is about as far away as you can get from the gravity center of the
NFL's 32 cities. And each year, thousands of fans from the mainland converge on the
Island of Oahu, to bask in the sun, party into the nights, enjoy the breathtaking tropical
scenery, the local Polynesian culture, the friendly Hawaiian people, and the annual
exhibition of the AFC and NFC All Stars, heralding the finale of another football season.
Aloha Stadium has hosted numerous sporting events throughout the years as the
home of the University of Hawaii, minor league baseball, and numerous post season
college bowl games. But it is the Pro Bowl that is its premier contest, and for the past
quarter century this event has put the eyes of the sports world squarely on Honolulu
like nothing else. The marriage of Honolulu and the Pro Bowl has lasted for such a
long period of time that the two have become synonymous and it is very difficult to
imagine this game being played anywhere else. And during Pro Bowl week the good
news was announced... the game will be played here through at least 2009.
Attending a Pro Bowl in person is quite different than going to the "other" NFL
signature event, the Super Bowl. The Pro Bowl is much more like an event for the
average fan, where the Super Bowl has become the massive corporate event. Of
course, the magnitude of the game itself is far less than the preceding week's
championship game. But here at the Pro Bowl it is refreshing to be able to buy tickets
to the event for $30-$85. There are no corporate hospitality tents, no premiere parties
that are out of reach for anyone but the rich and famous, no scalpers demanding four
figures. The league does sponsor an "official" tailgate party, where for $140 you can
enjoy a Hawaiian buffet and hobnob with celebrity types and collect autographs, but
that is about the only example of excess, and not a bad one at that.
Although the event does traditionally sell out, tickets are easy to obtain by purchasing
them directly off of the NFL's website, and even on game days there are tickets to be
had, since unused tickets returned by the teams are made available for game day
sales. Parking? A cheap five bucks gets you into the stadium parking lots.
The Pro Bowl is generally regarded as a snooze of a game, so our expectations going
in were low. And as the AFC raced out to a 25 point third quarter lead, our thoughts
turned to heading for the exits to enjoy what was left of a sun baked Hawaii day.
But suddenly the NFC caught fire and time and time again they crossed the goal line
for six and the next thing we knew, they were on top by 48-45 score. The battle
continued on as both teams added another TD to make this game the highest scoring
Pro Bowl game ever at 55-52. STILL, the game was not decided until the AFC's Mike
Vanderjagt missed a game tying field goal as time ran out. A super ending to an
exciting game.
Marc Bulger of the NFC was the game's MVP as he threw for four TD passes, and also
was assisted by some critical second half AFC turnovers that led to more NFC scores.
Peyton Manning threw for 3 TD's and 2 interceptions in the loss (actually 4 TD's, as
one of the two picks was caught by Dre Bly and returned for a touch).
Another interesting sidenote was the presentation of the halftime show. One week
after the "wardrobe malfunction" at the Super Bowl, the NFL decided to sack 'N Sync
artist J.C. Chasez as the headliner, and left the performance to Hawaiian singers, hula
dancers, and marching bands doing their song and dance routine to the theme of "25
Years of Aloha". An overrreaction by the NFL? Perhaps. But a wholesome and
enjoyable show nonetheless, and those in attendance seemed to enjoy it.
After taking a commanding 38-13 lead early in the third quarter, the AFC special teams
gather at the 35 to do an "in your face" dance. As it turns out, their strutting was very
much premature.
If you have never been to Hawaii, then your first visit here will certainly overwhelm you.
The beauty of this island can not be fully described. One has to experience it in person
to fully appreciate it. Here in Oahu, the first time visitor has to do two obligatory
missions, and we accomplished them both. The first is the climb to the top of
Diamond Head. This dormant crater sits at the far end of Waikiki Beach, and this
means an eight tenths of a mile climb up a trail to the 760 foot precipice. The walk is a
strenuous one; walking shoes and plenty of bottled water are musts. But the finish line
is worth it, as the views from the top are absolutely breathtaking.
The second is a visit to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. These sacred
grounds were the location of an event which changed the course of the world for all
time, the infamous Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. That horrifying day is
dramatically depicted with exhibits and a film, and a boat trip to the sunken ship and
the Memorial gives one a chance to pause and reflect on the courage and sacrifice
made by those who defend our freedom.
The hottest place to stay in Honolulu? Definitely Waikiki Beach! Here you find high rise
hotels, endless shopping, nightlife, shows and entertainment, restaurants, marinas,
luaus, water recreation, pretty much anything you want is right here! On Kalakaua Blvd,
the main drag, you can buy a t-shirt for five bucks at the International Market, and find
the same shirt two doors away at a swank boutique for $149! Tourists from all over the
world come here to Waikiki, but foreigners from Japan are probably the leading
visitors' demographic.
For the Ultimate Sports Road Trip, this was the biggest trip in terms of distance
traveled, and from the sense of adventure and excitement, clearly ranked as one of the
best. The weather, the friendly people, the scenery, and "the best Pro Bowl ever" all
combined for a journey we will always remember. When can we come back?!!!
all, Aloha Stadium is about as far away as you can get from the gravity center of the
NFL's 32 cities. And each year, thousands of fans from the mainland converge on the
Island of Oahu, to bask in the sun, party into the nights, enjoy the breathtaking tropical
scenery, the local Polynesian culture, the friendly Hawaiian people, and the annual
exhibition of the AFC and NFC All Stars, heralding the finale of another football season.
Aloha Stadium has hosted numerous sporting events throughout the years as the
home of the University of Hawaii, minor league baseball, and numerous post season
college bowl games. But it is the Pro Bowl that is its premier contest, and for the past
quarter century this event has put the eyes of the sports world squarely on Honolulu
like nothing else. The marriage of Honolulu and the Pro Bowl has lasted for such a
long period of time that the two have become synonymous and it is very difficult to
imagine this game being played anywhere else. And during Pro Bowl week the good
news was announced... the game will be played here through at least 2009.
Attending a Pro Bowl in person is quite different than going to the "other" NFL
signature event, the Super Bowl. The Pro Bowl is much more like an event for the
average fan, where the Super Bowl has become the massive corporate event. Of
course, the magnitude of the game itself is far less than the preceding week's
championship game. But here at the Pro Bowl it is refreshing to be able to buy tickets
to the event for $30-$85. There are no corporate hospitality tents, no premiere parties
that are out of reach for anyone but the rich and famous, no scalpers demanding four
figures. The league does sponsor an "official" tailgate party, where for $140 you can
enjoy a Hawaiian buffet and hobnob with celebrity types and collect autographs, but
that is about the only example of excess, and not a bad one at that.
Although the event does traditionally sell out, tickets are easy to obtain by purchasing
them directly off of the NFL's website, and even on game days there are tickets to be
had, since unused tickets returned by the teams are made available for game day
sales. Parking? A cheap five bucks gets you into the stadium parking lots.
The Pro Bowl is generally regarded as a snooze of a game, so our expectations going
in were low. And as the AFC raced out to a 25 point third quarter lead, our thoughts
turned to heading for the exits to enjoy what was left of a sun baked Hawaii day.
But suddenly the NFC caught fire and time and time again they crossed the goal line
for six and the next thing we knew, they were on top by 48-45 score. The battle
continued on as both teams added another TD to make this game the highest scoring
Pro Bowl game ever at 55-52. STILL, the game was not decided until the AFC's Mike
Vanderjagt missed a game tying field goal as time ran out. A super ending to an
exciting game.
Marc Bulger of the NFC was the game's MVP as he threw for four TD passes, and also
was assisted by some critical second half AFC turnovers that led to more NFC scores.
Peyton Manning threw for 3 TD's and 2 interceptions in the loss (actually 4 TD's, as
one of the two picks was caught by Dre Bly and returned for a touch).
Another interesting sidenote was the presentation of the halftime show. One week
after the "wardrobe malfunction" at the Super Bowl, the NFL decided to sack 'N Sync
artist J.C. Chasez as the headliner, and left the performance to Hawaiian singers, hula
dancers, and marching bands doing their song and dance routine to the theme of "25
Years of Aloha". An overrreaction by the NFL? Perhaps. But a wholesome and
enjoyable show nonetheless, and those in attendance seemed to enjoy it.
After taking a commanding 38-13 lead early in the third quarter, the AFC special teams
gather at the 35 to do an "in your face" dance. As it turns out, their strutting was very
much premature.
If you have never been to Hawaii, then your first visit here will certainly overwhelm you.
The beauty of this island can not be fully described. One has to experience it in person
to fully appreciate it. Here in Oahu, the first time visitor has to do two obligatory
missions, and we accomplished them both. The first is the climb to the top of
Diamond Head. This dormant crater sits at the far end of Waikiki Beach, and this
means an eight tenths of a mile climb up a trail to the 760 foot precipice. The walk is a
strenuous one; walking shoes and plenty of bottled water are musts. But the finish line
is worth it, as the views from the top are absolutely breathtaking.
The second is a visit to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. These sacred
grounds were the location of an event which changed the course of the world for all
time, the infamous Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. That horrifying day is
dramatically depicted with exhibits and a film, and a boat trip to the sunken ship and
the Memorial gives one a chance to pause and reflect on the courage and sacrifice
made by those who defend our freedom.
The hottest place to stay in Honolulu? Definitely Waikiki Beach! Here you find high rise
hotels, endless shopping, nightlife, shows and entertainment, restaurants, marinas,
luaus, water recreation, pretty much anything you want is right here! On Kalakaua Blvd,
the main drag, you can buy a t-shirt for five bucks at the International Market, and find
the same shirt two doors away at a swank boutique for $149! Tourists from all over the
world come here to Waikiki, but foreigners from Japan are probably the leading
visitors' demographic.
For the Ultimate Sports Road Trip, this was the biggest trip in terms of distance
traveled, and from the sense of adventure and excitement, clearly ranked as one of the
best. The weather, the friendly people, the scenery, and "the best Pro Bowl ever" all
combined for a journey we will always remember. When can we come back?!!!
ALOHA
STADIUM
HONOLULU,
HAWAII
PRO BOWL -
AFC vs NFC
Pro Bowl