Amid the celebratory atmosphere of the Pro Bowl, Seattle Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson took time to mourn.
In a whirlwind week of travel, Robinson arrived in Hawaii on Tuesday, practiced at Kapolei High School on Wednesday, then flew to Pennsylvania to speak at Thursday’s memorial service for former Penn State head coach Joe Paterno.
Robinson returned on Friday, flying in on Nike chairman Phil Knight‘s jet, and participated in his second practice of the week in Saturday’s Ohana Day at Aloha Stadium.
"To me it’s not making an effort, it’s something I had to do," Robinson said of spending close to 22 hours in the air over the round trip. "Besides my religion and my mom, Coach Paterno is the reason I’m here."
Robinson played quarterback, running back and receiver for Paterno from 2002 to 2005, earning Big Ten offensive player of the year honors as a senior while helping lead Penn State to the conference title.
This season, he carried the ball just four times for 7 yards and caught nine passes for 74 yards and a touchdown, but earned his first Pro Bowl selection as a lead blocker for Marshawn Lynch, who joined him on the NFC roster this week.
"This is a great experience. I’m glad I’m here," Robinson said. "The guys have been great, guys have been supporting me and telling me, ‘we wish you the best’ and giving their best wishes to the Paterno family."
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali, Robinson’s teammate at Penn State, is also in town for the Pro Bowl.
"We talked about it. Tamba was really upset he couldn’t make it (to the service)," Robinson said. "We shared some soft moments about it. Definitely a sad day for college football."
Forte cleared to play
A knee injury kept running back Matt Forte out of the Chicago Bears’ last three games, but didn’t quite end his season.
Forte ranked among the NFL’s top rushers before suffering a sprained ligament in his knee against Kansas City on Dec. 4. He was still voted to the Pro Bowl after averaging 4.9 yards per rush.
His knee has healed and he received clearance to play today.
"It’s basically because it’s my first Pro Bowl," Forte said. "If I was injured, I wouldn’t come out. … I’m fully recovered, so I’m not worried about it.
"After playing basically 11 games, to still make it to the Pro Bowl means a lot."
Janikowski rewarded
Of the first-time selections in today’s game, none waited longer than Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski, who earned his first trip in his 12th season in the league.
"Good things happen to people who wait," Janikowski said.
"(Oakland punter) Shane (Lechler) always talked about how much fun it is to play out here to come out and meet all these guys, so I was looking forward to it."
Janikowski converted on 31 of 35 field-goal attempts and tied the NFL record by hitting a 63-yard field goal against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 12, matching the mark shared by Tom Dempsey and former University of Hawaii and Broncos kicker Jason Elam.
Aloha means welcome back
San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews figures to get a far warmer reception from the Aloha Stadium crowd today than in his previous visit.
The last time Mathews played here, he rushed for 149 yards and a touchdown in Fresno State’s 42-17 win over Hawaii in 2009.
"It’s a great opportunity; it’s different to be here in the NFL and just have fun," Mathews said.
Mathews isn’t the only Pro Bowl player to enjoy big games at Aloha Stadium in college. Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw for 452 yards and three touchdowns for Miami (Ohio) in a 52-51 loss to UH in 2001.
Atlanta Falcons receiver Roddy White had 113 yards and a touchdown for Alabama-Birmingham in a loss to UH in the 2004 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. Miami Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall had 210 yards and three scores in Central Florida’s loss to Nevada the next year.
Rivalries take a vacation
The Pro Bowl annually makes teammates out of some of the league’s fiercest rivals. But the on-field animosity tends to melt away as the players relax in the islands.
"You throw all that out the window when you come out here," Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Ben Grubbs said. "I’ve spoken to (Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker) James Harrison … and a lot of guys around the league.
"You never know what type of guys they are until you talk to them. I played against (Houston defensive end) Antonio Smith in the divisional round and just talked to him, great guy. (Cincinnati defensive tackle) Geno Atkins, great guy. Ben Roethlisberger, funny guy. I’m enjoying it, it’s really cool."
