Three Non-Football Things We Learned on Friday at the Pro Bowl

A look at what stood out off the football field at the Pro Bowl on Friday.

Jan 30, 2016 at 06:33 AM

John Boyle

Seahawks.com Senior Reporter

KAHUKU, Hawaii—Friday was the second day of Pro Bowl practice for Team Rice and Team Irvin, which between them include five Seahawks: Bobby Wagner, Tyler Lockett, Michael Bennett, Richard Sherman and Russell Wilson. But as always, Pro Bowl week is about a lot more than football, so here are a few observations from off the field:

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1. Richard Sherman is a rock star

Just about every player at the Pro Bowl is a household name, at least to football fans, but some are at another level of fame than the typical football star. And when it comes to Sherman, few, if any players, are in more demand here when it comes to media and fans. The minute practices end, Sherman is swarmed by media, and grants numerous requests that seem to just keep coming. Then he signs autographs for the kids screaming his name (no, Tyler Lockett isn’t one of them). Something as simple as getting off the field seemingly takes forever as the interview requests and requests for photos continue as he walks towards the bus. What's more impressive about this scene than Sherman's celebrity status is how patiently and graciously he handles it. We're in Hawaii, after all, and getting off the field and back to the hotel means free time with family, or time for the beach, or whatever else might be more fun than posing for picture after picture, but Sherman still finds a lot of time both for media obligations and fans even as his status continues to grow.

Just one example of that came when Karla Jones, a Seahawks fan from Anchorage, Alaska, got Sherman's attention just after fans were told no more autographs were allowed. Instead of a signature, Sherman handed Jones his shoes.

"I just love him," Jones said. "My son, he's a high school senior, he was reading on Twitter yesterday how nice Richard Sherman is and how much time he takes for his fans. We came down just to see him… We're avid Seahawks fans."

2. The Pro Bowl is still a big deal here

There's a good story in today’s Honolulu Star Advertiser about Honolulu native Marcus Mariota, who is now the starting quarterback for the Tennessee Titans. Mariota didn't make the Pro Bowl this year, but was on hand for a Pro Bowl event in Waikiki Friday. The No. 2 pick in last year's draft could certainly end up that caliber of player soon, but as he notes in the article, being a Pro Bowler may not mean a return trip to Hawaii in the future.

When you hear about the Pro Bowl these days, there's often a lot of cynicism attached to the discussion, and it's understandable why. The game isn't the most competitive event, even by exhibition standards, this year a record number of players declined to play in the game, and it's not at all uncommon to read stories calling for the league to get rid of the game all together.

But while the Pro Bowl might not be a perfect event, it still matters a lot to people in Hawaii. As Mariota recalls in the Star Advertiser story, he used to attend events as a kid and wait hours for autographs, and kids this year are doing the same thing. One young boy, after getting an autograph from Hall of Famer Jerry Rice on Friday, sprinted to his parents screaming over and over, "I got Jerry Rice! I got Jerry Rice!" with the biggest smile on his face you'll ever see.

The Pro Bowl is sold out, the community completely embraces the game and the week leading up to it, and while the game itself might not be the highest-quality football game you'll see this year, or anything close to it, this week still matters a lot to Hawaiians.

3. Ted's Bakery is the spot for North Shore eats

If you've been to Oahu but only spent time in the Waikiki and Honolulu area, do yourself a favor next time you're here and venture to the North Shore. In addition to being an hour or so away, the North Shore feels like a different world compared to the hustle and bustle of Waikiki and Honolulu. It's a much more laid-back, surfer vibe there—though also crowded this week thanks to big surf—a more authentic taste of Hawaii, if you will.

Part of being a more laid-back and residential community, however, is having fewer dining options than in the more touristy part of the island. But if you're on the north side of Oahu and need a bite to eat, Ted's Bakery is the place to go. Not only do they have great food, but also the kind of great service that means offering to replace a meal for free if a certain member of the Seahawks digital media department (not the person writing this) were to drop his entire breakfast in the parking lot.

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[December 5, 1982]: Raiders 28 - Seahawks 23Seattle Seahawks Steve Largent (80) runs a pass pattern during game against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Coliseum, Dec. 5, 1982. Raiders won, 28-22. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

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[December 22, 1984]: Seahawks 13 - Raiders 7Seattle's Jacob Green gets to Los Angeles Raiders' Jim Plunkett for a sack in the first quarter of their NFL playoff game in Seattle, Dec. 22, 1984. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)

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[December 15, 1985]: Raiders 13 - Seahawks 3Marcus Allen action (32) of the Los Angeles Raiders makes the first down on this second quarter play against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 15, 1985, Los Angeles, Calif. Defending Allen are Seattles John Harris (44) and Paul Moyer (21). (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

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[December 8, 1986]: Seahawks 37 - Raiders 0Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett (16) suffers a ten-yard sack at the hands of Seattle Seahawks linebacker Fredd Young (50), at Seattle, Dec. 8, 1986. Plunkett was injured later in the second quarter and had to leave the game. (AP Photo)

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[December 18, 1994]: Raiders 17 - Seahawks 16Raghib Ismail (86) of the Los Angeles Raiders uses a stiff arm to the chin of Tony Brown (29) of the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter of NFL game in Seattle, Dec. 18, 1994. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)

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[December 22, 1996]: Seahawks 28 - Raiders 21Oakland Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, December 22, 1996. Seahawks beat Raiders 28-21. Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Chester McGlockton (91) jumps up t block view for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Gino Torretta (13). (AP Photo/Al Golub)

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[December 14, 1997]: Seahawks 22 - Raiders 21Oakland Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, December 14, 1997. Seahawks beat Raiders 22-21. Oakland Raiders defensive back Lorenzo Lynch (43) attempts to stop Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Warren (42). (AP Photo/Al Golub)

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[December 5, 1999]: Raiders 30 - Seahawks 21Oakland Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, December 5, 1999. Raiders beat Seahawks 30-21. Seattle Seahawks defensive back Jay Bellamy (20) and defensive back Shawn Springs (24) work on pulling down Oakland Raiders running back Tyrone Wheatley (47). (AP Photo/Al Golub)

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[January 8, 1984]: Raiders 30 - Seahawks 14Los Angeles Raiders Marcus Allen (32) takes the ball 12 yards before being stopped by Seattle Seahawks Greg Gaines (56) during action in their AFC Playoff at the Coliseum, Sunday, Jan. 8, 1984, Los Angeles, Calif. (AP Photo)

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[November 6, 1977]: Raiders 44 - Seahawks 7Seattle Seahawks cornerback Dave Brown (22) runs in pursuit during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, on November 6, 1977. The Raiders defeated the Seattle 44-7. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

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[November 26, 1978]: Seahawks 17 - Raiders 16Oakland Raiders Hall of Fame tight end Dave Casper (87) tries to break away from Seattle Seahawks safety Autry Beamon (27) during an NFL game in Oakland, Nov. 26, 1978. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 17-16. . (AP Photo/Arthur Anderson)

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[November 12, 1984]: Seahawks 17 - Raiders 14 Los Angeles Raiders' Marcus Allen runs for 13 yards as Dave Brown of the Seattle Seahawks moves in for the tackle during their game in Seattle, Nov. 13, 1984. (AP Photo/Dave Ekren)

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[November 28, 1988]: Seahawks 35 - Raiders 27Mike Haynes (22) of the Los Angeles Raiders dives to grab a fumble by Curt Warner, left, of the Seattle Seahawks, during the fourth quarter of their Monday night game in Seattle, Wash., Nov. 28, 1988. The fumble, caused by Ron Fellows of the Raiders, halted a Seattle scoring drive on the Raiders' four-yard line. Seattle beat the Raiders 35-27. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)

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[November 15, 1998]: Raiders 20 - Seahawks 17Seattle Seahawks running back Ahman Green (30) returns a kickoff during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on November 15, 1998, at the Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 20-17. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)

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[November 6, 2006]: Seahawks 16 - Raiders 0Seattle Seahawks' Maurice Morris is hit by Oakland Raiders' Stuart Schweigert during the first quarter of a football game in Seattlle Monday, Nov. 6, 2006. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

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[November 2, 2014]: Seahawks 30 - Raiders 24Seattle Seahawks Marshawn Lynch (24) scores a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

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[October 7, 1984]: Raiders 28 - Seahawks 14Los Angeles Raiders Hall of Fame defensive end Howie Long (75) tries to beat a double team block during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks October 7, 1984. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 28-14. (Peter Read Miller via AP)

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[October 1, 1989]: Seahawks 24 - Raiders 20Los Angeles Raiders defensive end Greg Townsend (93) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks Oct. 1, 1989, in Los Angeles. (NFL Photos via AP)

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[October 14, 1990]: Raiders 24 - Seahawks 17Los Angeles Raiders running back Steve Smith(35) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks Oct.14, 1990, in Los Angeles. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 2417. (NFL Photos via AP)

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[October 8, 1995]: Raiders 34 - Seahawks 14Oakland Raiders running back Napoleon Kaufman (26) is tackled during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 8, 1995 in Oakland. The Raiders won the game, 34 to 14. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)

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[October 22, 2000]: Raiders 31 - Seahawks 3Seattle Seahawks running back Ricky Watters (32) heads downfield during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2000 in Oakland. The Raiders won the game, 31 to 3. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)

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[October 31, 2010]: Raiders 33 - Seahawks 3Oakland Raiders running back Michael Bush (29) against Seattle Seahawks in fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010. The Oakland Raiders defeated the Seattle Seahawks 33-3. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

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[September 30, 2001]: Raiders 38 - Seahawks 14Oakland Raiders linebacker Eric Barton (50) rushes Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) on Sunday, September 30, 2001, in Oakland, California. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 38-14. (AP Photo/Al Golub)

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[September 8, 2002]: Raiders 31 - Seahawks 17Oakland Raiders tackle Barry Sims (65) blocks for running back Tyrone Wheatley (47) on Sunday, September 8, 2002, in Oakland, California. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 31-17. (AP Photo/Al Golub)

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Three Non-Football Things We Learned on Friday at the Pro Bowl

A look at what stood out off the football field at the Pro Bowl on Friday.

1. Richard Sherman is a rock star

2. The Pro Bowl is still a big deal here

3. Ted's Bakery is the spot for North Shore eats

2016 Pro Bowl: Day 2 Practice

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