Kreutz plans on many happy returns
By Leila Wai
Special to the Advertiser
It was a bittersweet homecoming for Olin Kreutz, who returned to Aloha Stadium yesterday to play in the NFL Pro Bowl for the first time — his first game at the Halawa facility since his college-playing days.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
It was also the first time that Kreutz, a St. Louis School graduate, played on a losing bowl team at Aloha Stadium.
St. Louis grad Olin Kreutz said playing in the Pro Bowl is special "because this is where I'm from."
The Chicago Bears center, who was picked by players and fans as a starter in his fourth season in the NFL after being named as an alternate last year, was happy to be back even though his NFC team lost to the AFC, 38-30.
"It's an honor because this is where I'm from," Kreutz said. "This is the same stadium where I played in high school. I got to end my college days at this stadium, and so, hopefully, I get to end my pro days here."
Previously, Kreutz played on three O'ahu Prep Bowl championship teams while at St. Louis (1992-1994), before returning to Aloha Stadium in 1997 to help the University of Washington beat Michigan State, 51-23, in the Aloha Bowl.
NFC teammate Ray Brown of San Francisco, who started at left guard yesterday in his first Pro Bowl, appreciates Kreutz's history.
"It's a great story, for a kid to play here in high school ... a local boy who doesn't live far from here, it's great for him to come back here," said Brown. "Now all he needs is a Super Bowl ring."
Kreutz played two quarters yesterday, anchoring a line that helped the offense amass 36 yards rushing and 323 passing while allowing just two sacks.
"He's a great guy," Brown said. "He's really intelligent and he has a good grasp of the offense."
Judging by the amount of people who waited after the game calling Kreutz's name, fans in Hawai'i think he's great, too. And Kreutz knows how important they are.
"I know I have a lot of people here supporting me, and I know a lot of people support me when I'm in Chicago," he said. "I hope I represented them well. I try to.
"It's always an honor when you get recognized as one of the best players in the NFL," he added, "and hopefully I can do it again."
Until then, Kreutz will spend the rest of his time here "visiting family and resting as much as possible."
