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Thursday, February 3, 2000
Warner enjoys
the whirlwind
The St. Louis Rams quarterback is
having the time of his life after being
named the NFL's Most Valuable
Player and winning the
Super Bowl trophyPro Bowl staying in Hawaii through 2005
PRO BOWL NOTEBOOK
By Paul Arnett
Hawaii fans know Faulk
Star-BulletinKurt Warner isn't sure what day it is, if he's in Florida or Hawaii and what kind of offense he'll run in this week's 50th annual Pro Bowl.
But if the St. Louis Rams quarterback is overwhelmed by his new-found fame, he isn't showing it. He took all the requests of his time yesterday like a routine snap from center.
"It's been a busy, busy week, a busy few days, but it's good to be here," Warner said after his first NFC practice. "Hopefully, I'll get a chance to relax a little bit."
Relaxing is something that hasn't been in Warner's forecast of late. The league and Super Bowl MVP not only guided the Rams to the championship on Sunday, he spent Monday doing the Disney thing, Tuesday flying across country to Hawaii and yesterday receiving congratulations from any and all bystanders.
"I really haven't had a chance to sit down and relish all the things we accomplished this year because it's been so hectic the last couple of days," Warner said. "But I mean, it's been tremendous.
"You can't complain about the running around at this point and time. There's no question about it that this is a great way to cap everything off."Coming out to a fun place like this, hanging out with your peers, what better way to spend the last week of a season none of us on this team will ever forget."
Warner was one of seven Rams who took part in their first NFC practice.
Wide receiver Isaac Bruce, who caught the 73-yard touchdown pass that did in the Tennessee Titans, was due to arrive late yesterday.
But for Warner -- who went from sacking groceries five years ago to avoiding quarterback sacks this past season -- this is something out of a fairy tale.
"It's hard to really describe it," Warner said. "You just try to take it one day at a time. Of course, I thank the Lord for the blessings he has given me. But you can't really explain it. You can't really put it into words what this season has meant.
"Obviously, winning the Super Bowl, it's a great feeling. You just want to relish and enjoy every minute of it and not get caught up with all the fame and fortune and the media."Warner also knows it could all be gone tomorrow. The first-time Pro Bowl standout isn't taking anything for granted.
"It's hard to look at it because it's just my life," Warner said. "Everybody sees it from the outside and sees it as this big story. But to me, it's how it is.
"I lived through the hard times. Now I'm living through the good times. I'm taking it one day at a time because you never know how long it's going to last and how long you're going to have it. But I'm enjoying every minute of it."
PRO BOWL
Who: NFC vs. AFC
Several members of the St. Louis Rams taking part in Sunday's 50th annual Pro Bowl were surprised by Dick Vermeil's sudden announcement yesterday that he was going to retire. PRO BOWL NOTEBOOK
Vermeil surprises Rams
"I didn't find out about it until someone told me at the airport," offensive guard Adam Timmerman said. "I wish he had told everyone first before leaving. It's kind of a shock, but I guess it's something he wants to do."
Super Bowl and league MVP quarterback Kurt Warner also was taken aback by Vermeil's announcement. He was on his way to Honolulu when he learned of Vermeil's decision.
"To me, it was a surprise," Warner said. "I thought for sure that we would have heard from him beforehand, maybe have him call or let us know before he made that decision that quickly.
"That's what surprised me more than anything. Not necessarily that he made it, just that he made it that quickly and without really calling the players and sitting down a little bit with us and talking with us.
"Obviously, we're in good hands with (new head coach) Mike Martz and it's the best thing for Coach Vermeil. Obviously, he wanted to go out on top."
One reason Vermeil wanted to retire right away was to stay out of the free-agent period that begins later this month. Rams defensive back Todd Lyght is one Ram who plans to test the market.
"I was a little surprised at how quickly he made the decision," Lyght said. "You don't expect to see a coach who wins the Super Bowl to retire two days later.
"For me, I'd like to stay in St. Louis. But this is a business decision. I need to see what's out there on the open market."
Smith glad to be here
Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith said the key to his success is staying in shape and avoiding any major injuries."I don't have any real secrets," the eight-time Pro Bowl running back said. "You've got to be a little lucky and work hard in the off-season to prepare for what lies ahead.
"There is always going to be a changing of the guard in every job. I just try to come out every year and prepare myself mentally and physically, and take what comes."
Shuttle service set
Roberts Hawaii school bus is offering round-trip shuttle services for Pro Bowl fans interested in attending this Sunday's game.The cost is $5 and the buses will leave from four different Oahu locations. The first one leaves Koko Head Elementary (10:45 a.m. pickup), then goes to Hawaii Kai Park and Ride (11 a.m.), and the Kahala Bank of Hawaii (11:15 a.m.).
Roberts school buses will also serve the leeward side with a 10:45 a.m. Waianae pickup behind the Pizza Hut. It will then go to Nanakuli on Lualualei Road next to Napa's at 11 a.m., then proceed directly to the stadium.
Another bus will pick up at the Mililani Library at 11:15 a.m, head to Mililani Mauka Park and Ride at 11:30 a.m., then proceed to the stadium.
A bus will also pick up passengers at the Kamamalu Park stop on Queen Emma Street at 11:15 a.m., then go to the Kapalama and School Street corner at 11:30 before going directly to the stadium.
For more information, call 832-4886.
By Paul Arnett, Star-Bulletin
