Patriots' Brady could use some sack time
Advertiser Staff
So, Tom Brady, MVP of the Super Bowl, you've been to Disneyland, paraded through the streets of Boston, now what are you going to do in Hawai'i?
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
"Sleep ... hopefully," said the New England Patriots quarterback.
ABOVE: AFC quarterbacks Kordell Stewart, Rich Gannon and Tom Brady were in sync as they worked out at Aloha Stadium.
"Oh, man, probably in two days I've had five hours (of sleep). (That's) one thing I really need, especially before Saturday. I don't want to come out and go 0-for-20."
After the Patriots' victory parade in downtown Boston ended Tuesday afternoon, Brady and teammates Ty Law, Lawyer Milloy and Troy Brown hopped aboard owner Robert Kraft's private jet for a 12-hour trip to Honolulu, arriving "around midnight," Brady said.
"I'm glad to finally get off that airplane," Brady said. "It was a long trip from New England. It is nice to get out here in the beautiful sun. It is great to feel the sun. I haven't felt that in about three months."
The NFL provides each player with two roundtrip airline tickets, which Brady gave to his parents.
"They were well deserved," Brady said.
• In dad's footsteps: In the it-is-never-too-early-to-start-recruiting department, the University of Hawai'i might want to start saving a scholarship in its 2015 recruiting class for J. J. Elam.
The 5-year-old son of former UH kicker Jason Elam "loves to kick the ball and has a pretty strong leg — especially for a 5-year-old," said his father, the Denver Broncos' Pro Bowl kicker. "He likes to go with me when I kick. He's 13 years away from being able to kick for UH."
Elam took his family on a tour of UH and Aloha Stadium the other day.
The Elams, Jason and Tamy, also have a 2-year-old daughter, Jordan, and are expecting another child in September.
• Forget me not: Forget the three interceptions in the AFC Championship game. Forget losing to the Patriots, 24-17.
Kordell Stewart is just happy to be here.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
It took him seven hard years to get to the Pro Bowl, and the Steelers quarterback is enjoying every moment of it.
Much as he'd rather be sleeping off a hectic post-Super Bowl schedule, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady took time to autograph a helmet for 9-year-old Jessenia Fitzpatrick of Napa, Calif.
"It's been hard the past couple of years, and just having the opportunity to come over, I think, is making (the experience) nice and fun," he said above the screaming fans at Aloha Stadium yesterday.
Stewart had a breakthrough season — passing for 3,109 yards, rushing for 537, and leading the Steelers to the AFC Championship game — and said being selected to the Pro Bowl is quite an honor.
"You have people who appreciate you and how you've handled yourself, you know," he said. "You have your fans, your peers, your coaches picking, so when you have that happen and all of a sudden you're the guy, you do nothing but be excited and overwhelmed about it. And that's what I'm feeling now."
• The replacement: Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Tra Thomas has replaced injured Orlando Pace of the St. Louis Rams on the NFC roster, the NFL said.
Thomas will be making his first Pro Bowl appearance.
• Blackout extended: The NFL extended the TV blackout deadline to today for Saturday's Pro Bowl in Aloha Stadium.
According to NFL policy, games must be sold out 72 hours prior to kickoff in order for the game to be televised in the local area.
Fans may purchase tickets at any Ticket Plus locations, the Aloha Stadium box office or by calling 526-4400 or 877-750-4400.
With the return of some ticket packages, a few thousand tickets still are available, according to the NFL.
• Crowd control: A crowd of about 250 turned out to watch the AFC team practice at Aloha Stadium yesterday. The NFC moves to the stadium today at 10 a.m.
The practices at JW Marriott Ihilani resort are closed to the public.
• Home again: Sportscaster Rick Quon, formerly of KITV (Ch. 4), was doing reports from the pro Bowl for KPIX in San Francisco, where he has been the past six years.
