It’s more than a game

The Broncos' John Lynch says coming to Hawaii makes it special

Ask the first timers their thoughts about the Pro Bowl possibly leaving Hawaii and most of them won't have much to say.

Lynch Profile Name: John Terrence Lynch Born: September 25, 1971 Hinsdale, IL Height: 6-2 Weight: 220 lbs. Age: 36 Pos: S Experience: 15 years College: Stanford

They're just happy to be here.

On the flip side, Denver Broncos safety John Lynch is one of three guys on the AFC squad making his ninth trip to the islands.

The honor of being selected to the game hasn't worn off for the 15-year veteran, who admits having it in Hawaii makes it that much better.

"The Pro Bowl in and of itself is special because you're voted in by your peers and it's a humbling experience because of that," Lynch said. "But the thing that makes it real special is coming here, the people here."

Lynch and his wife, Linda, have four children who have gotten used to the idea of taking a week in February in Hawaii.

After five months going through the rigorous NFL season, Lynch enjoys spending as much time with his family as he can.

Hawaii makes for a great place to bring the entire crew.

"It's such a great family trip," Lynch said.

"My kids ... if I don't make the Pro Bowl I'm in trouble at home because it's a trip. This is special and I hope they get it worked out."

Many ideas for moving the game have been tossed around. Suggestions include taking the game outside the United States, holding it at the Super Bowl site during the weekend between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl or rotating sites on a year-to-year basis.

None of those ideas sits well with the Lynch family.

"It's a special deal here, and I think the people here really like it," he said.

The reasons for possible change are to try to draw more interest to the game. Seventeen players selected to the game didn't make the trip to Hawaii, including marquee names LaDainian Tomlinson, Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Brett Favre.

"I just think as players if you're asked to come, you have to come," Lynch said. "It's an honor, and I think it should be treated as such. I understand that guys play long seasons and they're hurt, or it's their contract year. I just wish more guys would take this as the honor that it is, and you get voted, you come."

The aches and pains of the season haven't kept Lynch from enjoying the game. A few years ago, Lynch injured his shoulder during the season and was scheduled to have surgery. He put it off until two days after the Pro Bowl so he could make it out here and play one last game that season.

"I wasn't going to miss it," he said.

"They told me I couldn't hurt it worse, so I played and I had a blast."

The 37-year-old Lynch knows his time is running out and this could be his final appearance in Hawaii despite having made the game the last four years. When asked earlier in the week, he said he's still pondering the idea of retirement and hasn't made a decision yet.

His nine Pro Bowl selections are one short of the NFL record for safeties held by Ken Houston. Known as one of the hardest-hitting safeties in the game, Lynch has amassed more than 1,000 tackles and 26 interceptions in his career.