Sports Notebook
Star-Bulletin staff
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Pro Bowl treat for Kapolei students
Lucky you live Hawaii?
Lucky you go to Kapolei High School.
Around 250 Kapolei students were among the select few fans who got to watch the first Pro Bowl practice yesterday morning -- because it was held on their school's football field.
"This is tremendous, a great treat for the students, and me, because I'm a football junkie. I feel like a kid again out here," Hurricanes football coach Darren Hernandez said. "I'm part coach, listening to these great coaches, and I'm part fan, watching these great stars."
In recent years, the Pro Bowl practices have been at the Ihilani Resort, where the players stay. But with Disney taking over the resort, renovations forced the NFL to find a new venue, and the league contacted Kapolei, Hernandez said.
"We benefit a lot, because the NFL came down three weeks ago and ... patched up any parts that were eaten up a little bit, fertilized, watered, did all that for us," he said. "They purchased a $40,000 riding mower, and they're going to leave it here. It's that kind of stuff that makes this partnership with the NFL grow."
A new bathroom, press box and ticket office will be added to the Hurricanes stadium by the state, Hernandez said.
The Professor
John Clayton has become one of the most recognizable reporters who cover the NFL. Amazingly, Clayton is a Pro Bowl rookie.
"I've had many opportunities, but this is my first time," said Clayton, who had covered the league for newspapers and ESPN for 30 years.
What's "The Professor's" take on Sunday's Super Bowl?
"First of all it was the second biggest upset. It can't be as big as the Jets and Baltimore, because you're talking about changing the whole complexion of the league," Clayton said. "And I consider it the second best game. San Francisco, the Joe Montana drive, is first."
Where does Clayton rank "The Play," Eli Manning's improbable escape, coupled with the great catch by David Tyree during Sunday's game-winning drive?
"Probably in the top five. That's always going to be memorable. That's going to be up there with Marcus Allen's looping run around," he said. "Eli Manning scrambling? You've got to be kidding. He looked like Fran Tarkenton, then the catch by Tyree, fantastic."
Trading hats
Ravens safety
Ed Reed (6-foot, 200 pounds) wanted to try on Colts quarterback
Peyton Manning's helmet for some reason.
"Didn't fit him really well," said Manning, who is 6-5 and 230 pounds. "I've got a little bit larger noggin than he does."
Short yardage
What do Chiefs tight end
Tony Gonzalez, Ravens linebacker
Ray Lewis and Broncos safety
John Lynch have in common? The three AFC stars have all been named to their ninth Pro Bowl, tops among this year's players. Ravens tackle
Jonathan Ogden was named to his 11th game, but is out due to injury. ... So is Packers quarterback
Brett Favre, who leads the NFC by being named to his ninth game. ... Among the NFC stars here, Rams receiver
Torry Holt is the dean with seven Pro Bowls.