HONOLULU, Hawaii -- In what could be billed as football's winter vacation for its lack of gridiron excitement, the 2004 Pro Bowl held at Aloha Stadium Feb. 8 turned out to be one of the most exciting football games of the year.
"It was an awesome game!" said Raymond Bell, a Marine assigned to Combat Service Support Group 3 at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. "It had everything: intrigue, suspense, cheerleaders, and my favorite player, Steve McNair."
Highlighted by the numerous offensive records that were broken (there were 15 in all), the game turned out to be the hottest ticket in town. Throughout the first half, the red shirts of the AFC manhandled the blue shirts of the NFC, giving them the impression that they would pull off another big victory after the Patriots narrowly beat Carolina in the Super Bowl a week earlier.
With a combined 293 passing yards by NFL co-MVPs Peyton Manning and Steve McNair, the NFC appeared to be down for the count with a mid-game score of 31-13. It was only after halftime that the NFC came alive.
The decision by NFC Coach Andy Reid to bring in backup QB Mark Bulger of the St. Louis Rams turned out to be just what was needed to turn the game around. Throwing four touchdowns in the third quarter, Bulger set a new Pro Bowl record for most TDs in a game (a record previously held by legends Joe Theismann and Phil Simms).
Completing 12 of his 21 passes (for 152 yards, with just one interception), Bulger's dismantling of the AFC was virtually set in stone when Detroit's Dre' Bly put the NFC on top with his 32-yard interception off of Manning, converting the catch into a game-leading touchdown.
With last-ditch hopes of coming back to tie the game in the last seconds of the game, Colts place-kicker Mike Vanderjagt's failed field goal attempt proved once and for all why it's a good idea not to leave a football game early. The change of fortunes orchestrated by Bulger earned him the MVP award.
"I didn't do it alone; it was a team effort," said Bulger after the win.
Prior to the game, many of Hawaii's military personnel gathered to enjoy the spectacle of the NFL's best players in action. Everywhere you looked, you could find soldiers, Sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsman showing their patriotism and love for their respective home teams.
"Being here really makes me think of my fellow Marines overseas. It makes me appreciate what America stands for," said Bell. "When the 'National Anthem' was played, I was overwhelmed with feelings of pride. And when that eagle "Challenger" flew into the stadium, it nearly brought tears to my eyes," he explained.
Those sentiments of patriotism and gratitude were shared by many of the players who were in town to participate in the game too. Denver Broncos running back Clinton Portis said he felt not only privileged to be part of the game, but also humbled by what America's fighting men and women do for him.
"They put their lives on the line for us every day. What I do doesn't even compare," he said.
Offering words of encouragement to those preparing to deploy in support of the war on terror, Hall of Fame Coach Marv Levi said he has tremendous admiration for the Marines.
"My father was a Marine who fought at the Battle of Belleau Wood with the 4th Marine Brigade. There's no one I honor more than Marines.
"They have my very best wishes and my admiration. Our nation is fortunate to have a dedicated fighting force to protect us ... to keep us free."