The 12s presence is strong at Honolulu's Aloha Stadium where fans have gathered to see the game's best players, including five Seahawks, in the 2016 Pro Bowl.
HONOLULU, Hawaii—Pro Bowl week came to an end with Sunday's game, but as has been the case all week, a lot more is going on than just the game. So for the last time this week, here are some of the non-football things that stood out from our time in Hawaii on Saturday and Sunday.
1. The Pro Bowl gameday experience is cool… The traffic is not.
If you ever attend a Pro Bowl in Hawaii, get to the game early. The traffic getting here can be tough. However, if you're early, you should have plenty to do. Walk around the parking lot and you're almost guaranteed to find a tailgate full of fans of your team, whoever you root for. One tailgate even had a Seahawks 12 Flag, Raiders and Broncos flags sharing one pole. Same with jerseys—you'd be hard pressed to find a team not represented here.
Fans here are into the game, even if it doesn't mean much other than a good time, and the pregame presentation was nice, from a children's choir singing the state song, "Hawaii Ponoi" to a pregame music performance to a somber moment of silence for the 12 Marines who died in a helicopter crash here earlier this month, which was followed by an impressive rendition of the National Anthem by U.S. Marine Captain Skye Martin.
2. Practice this week was very loose and light.
Following a less-than-rigorous practice earlier in the week, Bobby Wagner joked, "Man, that's probably the hardest practice I've ever been in. Nah, this is chill, man."
If anything practice only got lighter as the week went on, but players still had plenty of fun with it, as is evident in the video below of a mic'd up Michael Bennett.
3. Visit Haleiwa if you're near the North Shore.
After driving by the exit to Haleiwa on the way to practice the first couple of days we were here, we finally stopped there for lunch and a dip in the ocean on Saturday. As I mentioned Saturday, the North Shore has a very different vibe than the busy life near Waikiki and Honolulu, and is definitely worth a visit if you're on Oahu. Plenty of good restaurants, shops (if, say, you left your board shorts at the hotel) and nice beaches.
4. Earl Thomas' Twitter game was on point Sunday.
Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas elected to sit out this year's Pro Bowl to take advantage of a full offseason to recover, but that doesn't mean he wasn't watching his teammates play. Thomas was not only watching, he had plenty to say about the game on Twitter. Here's a sampling:
On Derek Carr testing Richard Sherman deep:
And on Sherman drawing a questionable pass interference call:
After Bennett's first offside call of the game:
After Bennett was flagged for being offside a second time:
But, as Thomas noted, there's a give and take when it comes to Bennett's aggressive play:
5. There's Kalua pork everywhere here.
… And by no way should that be taken as a complaint. It delicious, and everywhere in Hawaii. Including the press box. Which reminds me, gotta run.
Game photos from the 2016 Pro Bowl between Team Rice, featuring wideout Tyler Lockett and linebacker Bobby Wagner, and Team Irvin, with quarterback Russell Wilson, defensive end Michael Bennett, and cornerback Richard Sherman at Honolulu's Aloha Stadium.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3), of Team Irvin, enters the stadium prior to an NFL Pro Bowl football game against Team Rice on, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Honolulu. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3), of Team Irvin, signs autographs as he enters the stadium prior to an NFL Pro Bowl football game against Team Rice on, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Honolulu. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
during the 2016 Pro Bowl against XX on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Jennifer Stewart/NFL)
during the 2016 Pro Bowl against XX on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Jennifer Stewart/NFL)
during the 2016 Pro Bowl against XX on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Jennifer Stewart/NFL)
during the 2016 Pro Bowl against XX on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Jennifer Stewart/NFL)
during the 2016 Pro Bowl against XX on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Jennifer Stewart/NFL)
Seattle Seahawks star Cliff Avril greets hundreds of fans and Seattle business owners during American Express "Dinner on the 50" at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for American Express)
Seattle Seahawks star Cliff Avril greets hundreds of fans and Seattle business owners during American Express "Dinner on the 50" at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for American Express)
Seattle Seahawks star Bobby Wagner greets hundreds of fans and Seattle business owners during American Express "Dinner on the 50" at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for American Express)
Seattle Seahawks star Bobby Wagner greets hundreds of fans and Seattle business owners during American Express "Dinner on the 50" at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for American Express)
Seattle Seahawks Cliff Avil, left, mascot Blitz, and Bobby Wagner have a fun moment with the guests during the American Express "Dinner on the 50" at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Paul Conrad/Getty Images for American Express)
Seattle Seahawks Cliff Avil, left, mascot Blitz, and Bobby Wagner have a fun moment with the guests during the American Express "Dinner on the 50" at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Paul Conrad/Getty Images for American Express)
Seattle Seahawks star Cliff Avril greets hundreds of fans and Seattle business owners during American Express "Dinner on the 50" at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for American Express)
Seattle Seahawks star Cliff Avril greets hundreds of fans and Seattle business owners during American Express "Dinner on the 50" at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for American Express)
during the 2016 Pro Bowl against XX on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Jennifer Stewart/NFL)
General atmosphere during American Express "Dinner on the 50," exclusive to hundreds of Seattle Card Members and local merchants at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for American Express)
General atmosphere during American Express "Dinner on the 50," exclusive to hundreds of Seattle Card Members and local merchants at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for American Express)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) of Team Irvin makes a pass to Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman during the first quarter of the NFL Pro Bowl football game, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Seattle Seahawks star Cliff Avril waves to the crowd as he enters CenturyLink Field during the American Express "Dinner on the 50"on August 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Paul Conrad/Getty Images for American Express)
Seattle Seahawks star Cliff Avril waves to the crowd as he enters CenturyLink Field during the American Express "Dinner on the 50"on August 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Paul Conrad/Getty Images for American Express)
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) T of Team Irvin celebrate after Freeman made a touchdown during the first quarter of the NFL Pro Bowl football game, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
The Sea Gals greet hundreds of fans and Seattle business owners during American Express "Dinner on the 50" at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for American Express)
The Sea Gals greet hundreds of fans and Seattle business owners during American Express "Dinner on the 50" at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for American Express)
General atmosphere during American Express "Dinner on the 50," exclusive to hundreds of Seattle Card Members and local merchants at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for American Express)
General atmosphere during American Express "Dinner on the 50," exclusive to hundreds of Seattle Card Members and local merchants at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for American Express)
Seattle Seahawks drumline Blue Thunder performs for hundreds of fans and Seattle business owners during American Express "Dinner on the 50" at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for American Express)
Hundreds of Seattle Card Members and local merchants attend the return of American Express "Dinner on the 50" at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for American Express)
Appetizers are served during the American Express "Dinner on the 50" at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Paul Conrad/Getty Images for American Express)
General atmosphere during American Express "Dinner on the 50," exclusive to hundreds of Seattle Card Members and local merchants at CenturyLink Field on August 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for American Express)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) of Team Irvin normally a defensive player runs with the football on offense as Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) and Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) of Team Rice close in on him in the third quarter of the NFL Pro Bowl football game, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Honolulu. Sherman lost 22 yards on the play. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) of Team Irvin attempts to stiff-arm Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry (29) of Team Rice in the third quarter of the NFL Pro Bowl football game, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett (72) celebrates with the mascots in the end zone during the 2016 Pro Bowl against between Team Rice and Team Irvin on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Jennifer Stewart/NFL)
during the 2016 Pro Bowl against XX on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Jennifer Stewart/NFL)
during the 2016 Pro Bowl against XX on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Jennifer Stewart/NFL)
during the 2016 Pro Bowl against XX on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Jennifer Stewart/NFL)
during the 2016 Pro Bowl against XX on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Jennifer Stewart/NFL)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Russell Wilson (3), of Team Irvin, celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during an NFL Pro Bowl football game against Team Rice on, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Honolulu. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) of Team Irvin reacts after winning offensive MVP award while being interviewed by ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters at the NFL Pro Bowl football game Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Honolulu. Team Irving beat Team Rice 49-27. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, right, of Team Irvin kisses his award as Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson of Team Irvin looks on after the NFL Pro Bowl football game Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Honolulu. Bennett won the defensive MVP and Wilson won the offensive MVP award. Team Irving beat Team Rice 49-27. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, of Team Irvin, left, Michael Irvin, Pro Bowl legend team captain and Pro Football Hall of Famer, center, and Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, of Team Irvin, right, stand with the winning trophy after the NFL Pro Bowl football game Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Honolulu. Bennett won the defensive MVP and Wilson won the offensive MVP award. Team Irving beat Team Rice 49-27. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Michael Irvin, Pro Bowl legend team captain and Pro Football Hall of Famer, center, takes a photo with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3), who was named the offensive player of the game, and defensive end Michael Bennett, of Team Irvin, right, after the NFL Pro Bowl football game, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Honolulu. Team Irvin won 49-27. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, of Team Irvin, acknowledges the fans after being name offensive player of the game after the NFL Pro Bowl football game Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Honolulu. Team Irvin won 49-27. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
