PRO BOWL 2008
ASSOCIATED PRESS
"Hopefully in '09, I'll get voted in and wherever it's at, I'll go there to play. But, Hawaii is a great host. Hopefully they'll be able to keep it here."
Torry Holt, Rams receiver
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Holt: Have a great time
The Rams receiver tells first-timers you never know if you'll be back
His presence is nearly an annual tradition in Hawaii. Now, through a twist of fate, Torry Holt is the unexpected senior ambassador for the NFC in today's Pro Bowl -- and it couldn't ask for a better representative.
Holt Profile
Name: Torry Holt
Born: June 5, 1976 Greensboro, NC
Height: 6-0
Weight: 190
Age: 31
Pos: WR
Experience: 9 years
College: North Carolina State
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Green Bay's Brett Favre and Seattle's Walter Jones had more all-star credentials than the Rams wide receiver, but were among the five players in the conference to pull out from their invitation to Honolulu because of injuries or personal reasons.
Thus, the role of the wise elder falls to Holt, in his seventh Pro Bowl in nine NFL seasons, all with St. Louis.
With 15 first-time invitees on his team, including rookies Adrian Peterson, Nick Folk and Patrick Willis, he's taken it up on himself to make sure everyone appreciates their stay in Hawaii.
"Nah, you know, I talked to a few of them," said Holt, 31.
"I told 'em just to enjoy it man. Take it all in, you never know if you'll be back. You hope to play (well enough) that you'll be back -- but you never know. While you're here, take it all in, enjoy it, and then go out there on Sunday and play the game, have a great time and do what you do."
Three of his teammates -- Ethan Albright, Greg Ellis and Al Harris -- actually have more NFL years than he does but were invited for the first time.
While commissioner Roger Goodell was noncommittal this week in his support for the Pro Bowl's appearance at Aloha Stadium beyond 2009, Holt stuck up for the Islands.
"Well you know, I think it's great here," he said. "I love it here, coming to Hawaii. Hawaii's beautiful. Everybody just associates the Pro Bowl with Hawaii, or Hawaii with the Pro Bowl.
"But I'm not the one to pull the trigger as far as those decisions."
Holt, a consensus All-America pick out of North Carolina State, boasts the most receiving yards per game (84.7) in NFL history. He's had eight straight 1,000-yard campaigns, and was the first player to collect 1,300-plus yards in six straight seasons.
Since the turn of the century, no receiver has gone for more than his 9,887 yards. Holt's yardage has dipped slightly over the last two years and his gains-per-catch aren't quiet as eye-popping. His Rams struggled to a 3-13 record in 2007, but Holt's touchdowns remained consistent and his all-around stats are still Pro Bowl-caliber.
"I have to thank the coaches, and the players, and the fans for voting me in and saying I'm worthy of this pick," Holt said humbly. "So, it's always great to come over here. You get the opportunity to meet so many great guys, new guys."
Long considered one of the best receivers in the league, the 6-footer's hands and awareness are considered his top physical attributes. Beyond that, though, he's known throughout the NFL for his upbeat personality. In 1999, his first season in the NFL, he established the Holt Foundation to assist children in the fight against cancer.
If flying out to the middle of the Pacific Ocean gets tiresome at all, he wouldn't show it.
"Hopefully in '09, I'll get voted in and wherever it's at, I'll go there to play," Holt said. "But, Hawaii is a great host. Hopefully they'll be able to keep it here.
"The (state) is very receptive -- they put on a good show for us. It's always a treat to come over here to represent the National Football League."
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
NFC rookie running back Adrian Peterson of Minnesota signed autographs after practice last week.
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National Football Conference
Players, with height, weight and number of Pro Bowl appearances:
No. |
Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Bowls
|
4 |
Andy Lee |
P |
6-0 |
185 |
1
|
6 |
Nick Folk |
K |
6-1 |
222 |
1
|
7 |
Jeff Garcia |
QB |
6-1 |
205 |
4
|
8 |
Matt Hasselbeck |
QB |
6-4 |
225 |
3
|
9 |
Tony Romo |
QB |
6-2 |
224 |
2
|
11 |
Larry Fitzgerald |
WR |
6-3 |
226 |
2
|
21 |
Ethan Albright |
LS |
6-5 |
257 |
1
|
21 |
Chris Cooley |
TE |
6-3 |
249 |
1
|
21 |
Chris Samuels |
T |
6-5 |
317 |
5
|
23 |
Marcus Trufant |
CB |
5-11 |
197 |
1
|
23 |
Devin Hester |
KR |
5-11 |
186 |
2
|
26 |
Ken Hamlin |
FS |
6-2 |
206 |
1
|
28 |
Adrian Peterson |
RB |
6-1 |
217 |
1
|
31 |
Al Harris |
CB |
6-1 |
188 |
1
|
31 |
Roy Williams |
FS |
6-0 |
225 |
5
|
36 |
Brian Westbrook |
RB |
5-10 |
203 |
2
|
41 |
Terence Newman |
CB |
5-11 |
181 |
1
|
42 |
Marion Barber |
RB |
6-0 |
221 |
1
|
42 |
Darren Sharper |
SS |
6-2 |
210 |
4
|
49 |
Tony Richardson |
FB |
6-1 |
238 |
3
|
51 |
Lofa Tatupu |
ILB |
6-0 |
242 |
3
|
52 |
Patrick Wills |
ILB |
6-1 |
242 |
1
|
58 |
Trent Cole |
DE |
6-3 |
270 |
1
|
59 |
Julian Peterson |
OLB |
6-3 |
240 |
4
|
65 |
Andre Gurode |
C |
6-4 |
316 |
2
|
70 |
Leonard Davis |
G |
6-6 |
354 |
1
|
72 |
Osi Umenyiora |
DE |
6-3 |
261 |
2
|
73 |
Shawn Andrews |
G |
6-4 |
335 |
2
|
74 |
Aaron Kampman |
DE |
6-4 |
270 |
2
|
76 |
Steve Hutchinson |
G |
6-5 |
313 |
5
|
76 |
Flozell Adams |
T |
6-7 |
340 |
4
|
76 |
Chad Clifton |
T |
6-5 |
320 |
1
|
78 |
Matt Birk |
C |
6-4 |
309 |
6
|
80 |
Donald Driver |
WR |
6-0 |
190 |
3
|
81 |
Terrell Owens |
WR |
6-3 |
218 |
6
|
81 |
Torry Holt |
WR |
6-0 |
190 |
7
|
82 |
Jason Witten |
TE |
6-5 |
266 |
4
|
90 |
Darnell Dockett |
DT |
6-4 |
290 |
1
|
93 |
Kevin Williams |
DL |
6-5 |
311 |
3
|
94 |
DeMarcus Ware |
OLB |
6-4 |
252 |
2
|
94 |
Brendon Ayanbadejo |
ST |
6-1 |
228 |
2
|
94 |
Pat Williams |
DL |
6-3 |
317 |
2
|
98 |
Greg Ellis |
OLB |
6-6 |
265 |
1 |
Past Winners
1988
|
AFC |
15
|
NFC |
6
|
Feb. 7, Honolulu
|
Att. 50,113
|
MVP: Bruce Smith, Bills |
1987
|
AFC |
10
|
NFC |
6
|
Feb. 1, Honolulu
|
Att. 50,101 |
|
MVP: Reggie White, Eagles |
1986
|
NFC |
28
|
AFC |
24
|
Feb. 2, Honolulu
|
Att. 50,101
|
MVP: Phil Simms, Giants |
1985
|
AFC |
22
|
NFC |
14
|
Jan. 27, Honolulu
|
Att. 50,385
|
MVP: Mark Gastineau, Jets |
1984
|
NFC |
45
|
AFC |
3
|
Jan. 29, Honolulu
|
Att. 50,445
|
MVP: Joe Theismann, 'Skins |
1983
|
NFC |
20
|
AFC |
19
|
Feb. 6, Honolulu
|
Att. 49,883
|
MVP: Dan Fouts, Chargers; John Jefferson, Packers |
1982
|
AFC |
16
|
NFC |
13
|
Jan. 31, Honolulu
|
Att. 50,402
|
MVP: Lee Roy Selmon, Bucs; Kellen Winslow, Chargers |
1981
|
NFC |
21
|
AFC |
7
|
Feb. 1, Honolulu
|
Att. 50,360
|
MVP: Eddie Murray, Lions |
1980
|
NFC |
37
|
AFC |
27
|
Jan. 27, Honolulu
|
Att. 49,800
|
MVP: Chuck Muncie, Chargers |
1979
|
NFC |
13
|
AFC |
7
|
Jan. 29, Los Angeles
|
Att. 46,281
|
MVP: Ahmad Rashad, Vikings |
1978
|
NFC |
14
|
AFC |
13
|
Jan. 23, Tampa
|
Att. 51,337
|
MVP: Walter Payton, Bears |
1977
|
AFC |
24
|
NFC |
14
|
Jan. 17, Seattle
|
Att. 64,752
|
MVP: Mel Blount, Steelers |
1976
|
NFC |
23
|
AFC |
20
|
Jan. 26, New Orleans
|
Att. 30,546
|
MVP: Billy Johnson, Oilers |
1975
|
NFC |
17
|
AFC |
10
|
Jan. 20, Miami
|
Att. 26,484 |
|
MVP: James Harris, Rams |
1974
|
AFC |
15
|
NFC |
13
|
Jan. 20, Kansas City
|
Att. 66,918
|
MVP: Garo Yepremian, Miami |
1973
|
AFC |
33
|
NFC |
28
|
Jan. 21, Dallas
|
Att. 37,091
|
MVP: O.J. Simpson, Bills |
1972
|
AFC |
26
|
NFC |
13
|
Jan. 23, Los Angeles
|
Att. 53,647 |
|
MVP: Jan Stenerud, Chiefs; Willie Lanier, Chiefs |
1971
|
NFC |
27
|
NFC |
6
|
Jan. 24, Los Angeles
|
Attn. 48,222
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MVP: Mel Renfro, Cowboys; Fred Carr, Packers |