|
Sunday was here! The day we had come here especially for. |
|
|
|
|
We caught a bus to the Aloha Stadium. Well, nearly. We didn’t expect to hit stadium traffic in Oahu, as we assumed most of the people in Hawaii would be visitors without cars. Wrong! So we got off the bus and walked the last 15 minutes (despite being warned by the driver that is was a long way…maybe for an American, but us Europeans do walk now and then!). |
|
|
|
|
We got to the Pro Bowl Official Tailgate Party about 15 minutes after it opened. We’d booked tickets for this event, but this is the kind of thing we get in Europe for free. It was just like the Power Parties that we are very familiar with, except the beer and food was all in. There were hula dancers, bands and cheeries. We did get one treat though. We wandered over to the stage to see what was up next, and boy did we time it right. As we got to the front, they introduced the 2004 Hall of Fame inductees. On stage in front of us were Bob Brown, a former tackle who played for the Eagles, Rams and Raiders, Carl Eller, a DE who played most of his career in Minnesota and former Denver QB legend John Elway. It was a huge thrill for us to see these guys so close up. Sadly, the forth inductee, former Detroit Lions’ RB Barry Sanders could not be there, as his wife was expecting a baby. The tailgate party was a good effort and we met a couple of lovely ladies from New York. We had a good old natter and did our usual NFLE spiel. We then headed over to the stadium. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Beer was served from a kanoe. We don't think it'd work in Glasgow. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Detroit mascot gets to grips with the bongos... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
...while Ian gets to grips with the locals. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 Hall of Fame inductees, Bob "Boomer" Brown, Carl Eller and John Elway. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Getting into the stadium was much quicker and easier than at other stadiums, we travelled light to ensure we wouldn’t get stuck at security. We were greeted by the usual MBNA stands, this time offering a Pro Bowl towel. Lou’s blagging skills didn’t work, "Sorry, we need a social security number", but a lovely guy overheard our conversation, and decided to help. He gave us his towel and said he’d get one at the next stand along. "We’re masters at this," her told us, "we’ve been doing this for years". |
|
|
|
|
Lou joined the queue for beer. The price was $7 a pop! Hmm, we probably wouldn’t be getting drunk then. The towel guy spotted Lou and came over. He waved a towel, saying, "I told you we’d get another one!". |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We found our seats. Despite being high up, they were on about the 40-yard line. We waved our Union flags and got chatting to quite a few people. Everyone seemed surprised that we’d travelled so far for the game. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
John Elway was introduced and was mobbed by the Pro Bowl players. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Troy Vincent embraces Elway. |
|
|
|
|
After the Super Bowl’s "wardrobe malfunction", they were taking no chances, so the pre-game and half-time shows were a little lame. Instead of a fly-past, we had an eagle fly across the stadium. Instead of pop acts we got teenage cheerleaders. ZZZzzz… |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We had a great time. The game was pretty good, one of the better Pro Bowls, and most high scoring. And it really went down to the wire, which kept it interesting. At one point we thought we might get overtime. We don’t do game reports, so see NFL website for that. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KC Tight End Tony Gonzalez knows which sport he can get a job in if the football work dries up. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peyton Manning being interviewed on the sidelines. Probably not calling Vanderjagt an "idiot" this year. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
After the game, we headed back to get an express bus back to Waikiki. We were feeling pretty good, safe in the knowledge that we were the only Brits in the vicinity. Or so we thought. But who was in the bus queue ahead of us? A group of Essex Spartans. We couldn’t believe it. |
|
|
|
|
The whole Pro Bowl experience was excellent. When it comes to big games, they seem to be getting better Stateside. Hawaii is an amazing place, and the combination of sightseeing and football was great. After the Pro Bowl there’s only one game bigger. Maybe in a few years time… |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photos are owned by Ian Mathias & Louise Robinson. Please seek permission if you wish to reproduce them. Email us at beerleaders@hotmail.com. |
|
|
|
|
