Arrington outstanding, outspoken

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Pro Bowl linebackers LaVar Arrington of the Washington Redskins, Brian Urlacher of the Chicago Bears and Julian Peterson of the San Francisco 49ers run through drills at the NFC practice at Aloha Stadium. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

What: NFL all-star game Where: Aloha Stadium When: 2:30 p.m. tomorrow Television: ESPN, live. Radio: CBS radio, live. Tickets: $30 to $150. Aloha Stadium box office, or through Ticketmaster (877) 750-4400, or at ticketmaster.com Parking: $5.

The outspoken Redskins linebacker has been one of the most sought-after interviews this week at Pro Bowl practices, dishing out tasty tidbits about his new 63-year-old coach Joe Gibbs, the NFL's crackdown on excessive celebrations and his relationship with Tampa Bay defensive tackle Warren Sapp.

Arrington, the second overall choice in the 2000 NFL draft, will help lead the NFC defense in tomorrow's Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m.

As one of the premier linebackers in the NFL, the 6-foot-3, 253-pound Arrington has quickly developed brand-name recognition among his Pro Bowl teammates. The three-time Pro Bowl selection recently agreed to an eight-year, $80 million contract extension after finishing his fourth season with 88 tackles, six sacks, 10 pass breakups and six forced fumbles.

"His name speaks for itself around the league," said Dallas safety Roy Williams, who is participating in his first Pro Bowl. "People know what LaVar Arrington's abilities are. When you play against him, you know that he's going to be in at least five to six tackles every game."

Arrington is also going to speak his mind. The former Penn State standout spoke favorably about Gibbs, his fifth head coach with the Redskins. Gibbs replaced Steve Spurrier, who resigned in December. Gibbs won three Super Bowls with the Redskins (1992, 1988, 1983) and is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"At first I was surprised, very surprised," Arrington said of Gibbs' hiring. "But I quickly became very excited. I'm ready to see what he can do. He's got a great track record in everything he's done. I didn't think he was coming back to coach. It's an interesting thing, but I'm really glad he decided to make a comeback."

Arrington also spoke out against the NFL's harsher penalties for excessive celebrations. Last month, NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue promised stronger penalties and fines, and possibly suspensions, if players go overboard with celebrations.

This past season, New Orleans Saints receiver Joe Horn celebrated by pulling out a cellular phone after he scored a touchdown. Two seasons ago, San Francisco 49ers receiver Terrell Owens grabbed a pen from his sock and signed a football after scoring.

"If they want to (celebrate), then let them do it," Arrington said. "It's a sport. That's what makes people come to watch the games. I'm not an excessive celebrator. I make a play and I act like I've done it before. But what happens for me doesn't necessarily mean how someone else is feeling. I think it's a stupid rule, but who am I? I'm just a player."

Celebrations aside, Arrington said he frowned upon players disrespecting another team. Last year, before the Redskins played the Bucs, he issued a warning to Sapp, who had skipped through the Indianapolis Colts pre-game stretching drills in a Monday night game.

In a hostile message that was broadcast and reported nationally, Arrington said, "Sapp, I'm going to get you" if Sapp tried the stunt against the Redskins. Sapp responded, "You tell Mr. Can't Get Right, I'll be there at 10:30 a.m. sharp, Eastern Standard Time. Tell him don't be looking for me because I'm easily found."

Sapp did not run through the Redskins drills after the NFL warned him not to do it, or face a penalty. Arrington said he and Sapp have moved on after that incident.

"We never had any differences," Arrington said. "This was just a respect thing. That's all. Me and Warren are cool. It was just a matter of respect."

If anything, Arrington's Pro Bowl teammates have nothing but respect for him. They said they enjoy playing with him, and fear playing against him.

"LaVar is dominating," said Dallas' Williams. "LaVar is somebody you always got to be aware of on the field. You always have to watch out for No. 56 with that black visor. You can't see his eyes. You don't know what he's looking at. That's intimidating, too."

NFL provides grants: More than 30 Hawai'i non-profit organizations will receive a combined $100,000 as part of the NFL Charities Pro Bowl Grant Program, according to the NFL.

NFL Charities has provided grants the past nine years to Hawai'i-based groups. The NFL said the organizations undergo a rigorous application process and must be focused on youth programming, education and physical fitness. A total of 32 organizations will receive cash rewards ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to support programs that improve life for Hawai'i residents in need and better local neighborhoods throughout the state.

The recipients with rewards are — $10,000: Valley of Rainbows and The Arc of Hilo. $7,500: Hawai'i Children's Cancer Foundation and Parents and Children Together. $5,000: 'Ohana Komputer, The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division, Ma Ka Hana Ka 'Ike, The Lahaina High School Foundation, Armed Services YMCA, Marimed Foundation, Friends of Foster Kids and DREAM Team Hawai'i. $2,500: Adult Friends for Youth; Women in Need Family Resource Center and Hawai'i Covering Kids; Friends of the Children's Justice Center of Kaua'i. $1,000: Public Schools of Hawai'i Foundation; YWCA of O'ahu, Ka Makana-Ocean Education Through Action; Waipahu High School; Family Support Service of West Hawai'i; Hawai'i Literacy; Friends of the Children's Justice Center of East Hawai'i; Blueprint for Change; Start Now Hawai'i, Inc.; Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island; Special Olympics Hawai'i; Ko'olauloa Educational Alliance Corporation; Maui Economic Development Board; Sea of Dreams Foundation, Inc.; Maui Youth & Family Services, Inc., and 'Ewa West Association.

Game on live TV: The Pro Bowl "is basically sold out" and "there will be no blackout" on O'ahu, Pro Bowl public relations official Keenan Davis said last night. ESPN will televise the game at 2:30 p.m.