Posted on: Monday, February 4, 2002
Ex-UH linemen savor Super experiences
| • | Patriots, Vinatieri 'shock the world' |
By Bill Kwon
Special to The Advertiser
NEW ORLEANS — Even as sideline spectators, it was a Kodak moment for Kaulana Noa and Adrian Klemm, former University of Hawai'i tackles who experienced their first Super Bowl, up close and personal, last night at the Louisiana Superdome.
Klemm watched his New England Patriots score a stunning 20-17 upset over the St. Louis Rams. Noa, on the inactive list all season, and his Rams teammates watched helplessly as Adam Vinatieri kicked the winning 48-yard field goal with no time left.
"It was very nice to pick up a Super Bowl ring in my second year," Klemm said.
"Yeah. I wanted to be in there. I knew I could have been starting this game. But I'm excited for the team," added Klemm, who had dislocated his elbow during preseason and then tore his muscle calf to go on injured reserve in the first week of November.
The victory — the Patriots' first in three Super Bowls — shouldn't have been a surprise, according to Klemm.
"When we beat the (Oakland Raiders), people were saying maybe we're the real thing. When we beat Pittsburgh people said the same thing. Well, we're really the real thing now," Klemm said.
It completed an amazing turnaround for the Patriots who finished the season with nine straight victories.
Turnarounds are nothing new for Klemm or Noa, who played four years for Hawai'i, which went from worst (0-12) to first (9-4), including a bowl victory over Oregon State in their senior year in 1999.
Klemm was the Patriots' second-round pick in the 2000 draft, and Noa was a third-round selection by the Rams.
Klemm at least got to play in five NFL games his rookie year, while Noa has yet to suit up for a regular-season game. So they're a bit frustrated at not seeing any action.
Still, no one can take away their Super Bowl experiences.
"We were just talking about it. Who would have thought we'd be here at all?" said Klemm, who got a chance to hang out with Noa and UH wide receiver Ashley Lelie earlier in the week.
Lelie, who went out early for the NFL draft, didn't stick around for the game.
"I just came to party," Lelie said.
Despite the loss, Noa enjoyed his Super Bowl experience.
"It's exciting. Sure, I dreamed about playing in the Super Bowl. But now that you're here, it really hits you," said the Big Island native, who played high school football at Honoka'a.
"And it was awesome to see two guys from our freshmen year who struggled to be here. I talked to (former Warrior) Leo Goeas the other night. And he said in nine seasons he never got here. So he told me, even if you're not playing, enjoy the experience."
Noa spent the entire game at the side of his offensive line coach, Jim Hanifan, jotting down plays by the Rams' offensive line.
"That way you can stay in the game mentally and can learn," Noa said.
