Trust me, it wasn’t about to happen by choice.
Normally, I avoid the Pro Bowl at all costs. Like the plague,
like AIDS, like reruns of
”
Everybody Loves Raymond.
”
Trust me, it wasn’t about to happen by choice.
Normally, I avoid the Pro Bowl at all costs. Like the plague, like AIDS, like reruns of “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
Of all the professional all-star games, it is the least “important” and the one that least resembles the real product.
I say important loosely, but home-field advantage in the World Series is decided by Major League Baseball’s All-Star game. The NBA’s game is pointless, but the weekend does signal a buildup to the NBA trade deadline. Both games are close enough to the real product to be mildly entertaining.
The Pro Bowl, however, is a glorified post-Super Bowl scrimmage, where every athlete is primarily concerned with not getting hurt and many bow out before the game because they are hurt.
But on Sunday, Gilroy native Jeff Garcia was making his fourth career Pro Bowl appearance, this time representing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As the sports editor of his hometown newspaper, it is my duty to pay attention to all things Garcia.
As an average Joe, I wanted nothing more than to change the channel.
For the first time in my life, I was watching a sporting event that was only slightly more entertaining than the accompanying halftime show. (Hula dancers – thumbs up; metrosexual rock band – thumbs down).
I’m not oblivious to why the players enjoy it. I can see why Garcia, or any other NFL player for that matter, would be thrilled to be in Hawaii. After having your body mulched for four-plus months, who wouldn’t want to go soak up some sun on the beach, be recognized by your peers as one of the league’s best and collect a check for tens of thousands of dollars for a quarter or two of action.
But do fans really get anything out of watching the game other than island envy?
As I sat on the couch questioning why I got into sports writing, I got an answer to the previous question. Several interesting subplots were developing that I had failed to consider.
1.) Every player wants to be MVP. A Cadillac was on the line Sunday and players were openly lobbying their case to sideline reporters as to why they were having the best individual performance. With no one bothering to play defense or special teams, someone on offense was definitely going to get the car.
2.) Terrell Owens was lobbying his case for MVP the most. Big surprise.
3.) Owens was so emphatic about trying to get the car, he played the entire game.
This is when the Pro Bowl became an event worth watching. I thought worlds were about to collide.
Owens, one of the biggest phonies in the NFL, a person who consistently puts himself above the game and teammates, and a person who stabbed quarterback teammates like Garcia and Donovan McNabb in the back, was still playing when Garcia came into the game for the NFC squad.
Scenarios started playing through my mind.
I wondered if Garcia would allow Owens in his huddle? If Garcia would allow it, would he just not throw to Owens? Or, would Garcia throw to Owens, only high and inside on slant routes, hoping to get the loud-mouth killed by a safety?
The answer shouldn’t have surprised me.
Garcia was nothing but himself – a consummate professional. He ran the offense with precision by avoiding the pass rush, making quick decisions with the ball and completing passes.
He even threw a touchdown to Owens on a well-timed slant route after seeing the coverage slack off inside the 10-yard line. The hookup was reminiscent of their playing days in San Francisco. They didn’t celebrate together but they did tap each other on the shoulder while walking back to the sideline.
All in all, it was a class performance by Garcia who finished 8-of-10 for 117 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He helped the NFC win the game 42-30, thereby picking up a bigger check for his team’s players.
It was an afternoon I thought would be wasted, but instead it allowed me to learn a little more about Gilroy’s hometown hero.
Here’s hoping Garcia makes it back to Hawaii next year. Now that I’ve overcome watching the game on TV, I can’t help but think it’s time I see the game the right way.
In Hawaii.
