"I just sat back, had some wine and listened to the messages," Marino recalled.

Marino had better get used to it: He and Young have begun the six-month cycle of attention, recognition and honors leading to their enshrinement in Canton. This process includes countless handshakes, plenty of banquets and speeches — and another turn in the spotlight for two of the best quarterbacks of their generation.

If their first appearance together during Pro Bowl week was any indication, their trip to the Hall of Fame should be full of good stories and witty banter.

"The hardest thing when you retire is realizing you're not good at anything else," Young said. "I was great at something, and now I'm not doing it any more — what else are you good at?"

"Speak for yourself," Marino replied.

They're still pretty good with the ball, however. They participated in a flag football game yesterday at the deluxe resort on O'ahu's west side where the players and coaches are staying before tomorrow's game.

Young's team, which included Roger Craig, Michael Irvin and Andre Reed, beat Marino and teammates Marcus Allen, James Lofton and Darrell Green by a touchdown. Irvin drew big laughs from the crowd when he caught a TD pass from Young, sprinted to midfield and planted the ball on the NFL logo, raising his arms in a tribute to Terrell Owens' controversial gesture in Dallas in 2000.

Young and Marino always enjoyed their trips to Hawai'i during their playing days — though Young kidded Marino, who was selected to the Pro Bowl nine times but sat out five of the all-star games to rest injuries.

"This is his first trip to Hawai'i," Young deadpanned.

Young best remembered the 1993 game, when he and Dallas' Troy Aikman were the NFC quarterbacks. Aikman wanted to catch an early flight home for a family event, so Young volunteered to play the second half by himself — but Aikman didn't tell Niners coach George Seifert about his departure, and Seifert spent much of the second half looking for him.

"Look, he's gone, he left!" Young finally exclaimed. "Don't worry about it! I've got things covered!"

Marino figured out the laid-back tenor of the Pro Bowl in his rookie season when Allen approached him during pregame warmups.

"The most important thing in this game that you've got to remember is, don't you throw me the ball," the former Raiders running back told him.

As Marino showed on a picture-perfect 40-yard touchdown pass to Green to beat LeRoy Butler by a step, both quarterbacks still haven't lost their taste for the game. The flag football game was the closest they'll get to the field — but though Young and Marino have comfortable broadcasting jobs, both haven't ruled out returning to the NFL in a front office position.

"I guess it's been enough years now that I could go back and get involved with a team and do something, and I wouldn't go nuts," Young said. "I was glad for the break. I don't have to get back involved in football to be happy. If it comes up, fine, but in a way, I've never been happier in my life than I am right now."

Marino spent 22 days as a top Dolphins executive last year before abruptly resigning.