(Honolulu, HI) After a season of highs and lows, the Steelers who were voted to the Pro Bowl had a chance to relax and enjoy a week in paradise.
But outside of a week of fun in Hawaii, there was a game to be played in which the AFC beat the NFC, 59-41 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.
“It’s fun to come out here, be with a couple of my teammates again and to have fun with guys that you kind of go against every week on defense, the Ray Lewis’, the Von Millers’ and guys like that,” said Roethlisberger. “It’s an awesome honor.”
Roethlisberger was the AFC starting quarterback and finished the game going six for 11 for 181 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Joining Roethlisberger in Honolulu were wide receivers Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown, linebacker James Harrison and safety Ryan Clark. Center Maurkice Pouncey and safety Troy Polamalu were also voted to the Pro Bowl, but did not attend due to injury.
“It’s a privilege and honor to come out here with great guys with great talent,” said Brown. “A lot of guys don’t get this opportunity throughout their careers and for me to experience it so young with a bunch of my teammates out here, it just makes it that much more fun.”
Brown caught two balls for 15 yards, returned four punts for an average of 28.8 yards per return and brought back one kickoff for 29 yards.
Brown also played briefly on defense at cornerback, but got burned by Larry Fitzgerald on a 36 yard touchdown catch from Cam Newton.
“I was just having a little fun,” Brown said about playing defense.
Being in Hawaii for the Pro Bowl for James Harrison and Mike Wallace, time outside of football included a deep sea fishing trip.
“We’re just trying to enjoy this vacation, seeing beautiful sights. It’s great,” said Wallace.
Wallace caught two balls for 34 yards.
For others like Ryan Clark, going to Hawaii was time spent with his family.
“Just watching my kids play on the beach,” said Clark about his time in Hawaii outside of football. “There’s no beach in Pittsburgh and you don’t want to be on the beach in Louisiana, so it’s great for my kids just to come out and enjoy themselves.”
Notes: Each player on the AFC earned $50,000 for the win, while each NFC player got $25,000… This could be the final year that the Pro Bowl will be played in Hawaii as the contract between the NFL and The Aloha State expired after this year’s game, but negotiations are ongoing to re-new
Image Source – (Photo by Shawn McCullough)
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