Kreutz a 285-pound good-luck charm

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

If anything, the NFC will have history on its side for Saturday's NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium.

Chicago Bears center Olin Kreutz played on three Prep Bowl champions and one Aloha Bowl winner at Aloha Stadium. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Kreutz played on three O'ahu Prep Bowl championship teams (1991-1993) with the Crusaders.

Then, in his final collegiate game, his Huskies hammered Michigan State, 51-23, in the 1997 Aloha Bowl.

"Hopefully, the trend goes on," said Kreutz, who will make his first start in the Pro Bowl after a stellar fourth season with the Chicago Bears. "Obviously, we want to win bad, but I don't think winning is as important as those other games. We're out there to put on a good show, have a lot of fun. But of course we want to win."

The Pro Bowl has been in Hawai'i for 23 years, or nearly every year of the 24-year-old Kreutz's life. The 6-foot-2, 285-pound lineman was an alternate last year. He even joked earlier when the selections were made, saying he'd be a lifetime alternate because he lives here in the offseason and would be an easy substitute on last-minute notice. So being selected this year — and chosen to start — is special.

"It's a shock just to be here," Kreutz said. "I never thought I'd play here again, but here I am."

•	WHAT: NFL Pro Bowl between AFC All-Stars and NFC All-Stars.
•	WHEN: 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
•	WHERE: Aloha Stadium.
•	TICKETS: Available at TicketPlus at 526-4400 or in advance by calling Ticket Plus at 877-750-4400 or at: www.ticketplushawaii.com
•	Parking: $3.
•	PRACTICES: Today: 9 a.m.—NFC practice at Ihilani Resort (closed). 10 a.m.—AFC practice at Aloha Stadium. Tomorrow: 9 a.m.—NFC photo day and practice at Ihilani Resort (closed). 10 a.m.—AFC practice at Aloha Stadium. Friday: 9 a.m.—AFC photo day and practice at Ihilani Resort (closed). 10 a.m.—NFC Practice, Aloha Stadium (Admission free).

"He's a student of the game," said Williams, a Pro Bowl tackle. "I think that's one of the things people don't know about him. He works hard all the time. He's 24/7 when it comes to football. That's why he's here."

And Kreutz is 24/7 year round. During the offseason, he sharpened his skills at a camp for offensive linemen run by former University of Hawai'i player Brian Derby. Even though he is a pro, Kreutz worked out with high school and college players.

"Anything you can do to learn, just going over your technique again," Kreutz said. "It helped me."

For Kreutz, the Pro Bowl selection caps "a real special season."

After declaring himself eligible for the draft following his junior season at Washington, Kreutz was selected in the third round by the Bears. But during his first three seasons as a pro his team wasn't as successful as those he played on at St. Louis and Washington. The Bears were a collective 15-33 in Kreutz's first three years, then had a breakthrough season this year when they went 13-3 and won the NFC Central title.

But Chicago's season ended abruptly in the divisional playoffs. Following a first-round bye, the Bears were beaten by the Philadelphia Eagles, 33-19, at Soldier Field. It was the last game there for the Bears. While renovations take place, they will play at the University of Illinois next season. The disappointing end still lingers.

"I don't know how to explain the playoff game," Kreutz said. "All I know is we got our (butt) kicked. Philadelphia played better than us. They outplayed us that day and that's what was wrong with us."

Whether Kreutz will be back with the Bears next season has not been decided. He is an unrestricted free agent, a player who has completed four or more accrued seasons of service and whose contract has expired, and his signing period starts March 1.

"I don't have a preference, but of course, you always want to stay in Chicago," Kreutz said.