NFL Players Want To Keep Pro Bowl In Hawaii

Added on Jan 30, 2011 by Jack Thurman in

NFL

Here’s a shock–NFL players like going to Hawaii and hope that the annual Pro Bowl remains there. The game takes place today and while its not usually a great betting opportunity it is on the board at most sportsbooks worldwide. The game had been played in Hawaii for 30 years until the NFL decided to play last season’s Pro Bowl in Miami on a ‘test basis’. With all due respect to Miami, the overall message of the players is that South Beach is good but Hawaii is better.

Vikings running back Adrian Peters0n made his case for the Aloha State after the NFC’s final practice:

“I like it in Hawaii. You can’t imitate it. Miami is great, don’t get me wrong, but you can’t imitate Hawaii. It’s different, it’s spectacular. It’s more of an experience being here.”

The Ravens multiple time Pro Bowler Ray Lewis suggested that making it to Hawaii is more of a ‘reward’ for a solid season:

“Being here is the reward you work for. Anytime you come back to Hawaii, when you get on the plane and the first word is ‘Aloha’, you’re like, ‘OK, I made it again.’ You really appreciate it.”

Even the taciturn coach of the New England Patriots Bill Belichick likes coming to the islands:

“We’d rather be playing in a different game than this. But it’s a great game and it’s great to be a part of it.”

Indianapolis Colts’ QB Peyton Manning missed last year’s game since he was getting ready for the Super Bowl, but he also likes the Hawaiian vibe:

“I wasn’t there last year, but it just seems like a lot of the players who were there say they’re glad to be back here in Hawaii. It’s always an honor to be here, it’s a privilege.”

The longterm venue for the Pro Bowl is still in doubt, but it will be in Hawaii for at least one more year. This season is the first of a two year commitment to host the game in the Aloha State. The current NFL lines on the Pro Bowl have the game as a ‘pick’ with the total set at 66.