WAIKIKI, ISLAND OF OAHU, Hawaii -- WAIKIKI--The NFL Pro Bowl brings more to Hawaii than football's All-Stars. It provides an opportunity for fans to get involved in the fun and hoopla that leads up to the big game.
For the third consecutive year, the "NFL Military Challenge" competition was a way for the NFL to show its appreciation to those in uniform. Teams from each service (Marines, Navy, Air Force, Army and Coast Guard) were invited to compete in the events, which requires not only brawn, but brains too.
Fort DeRussy in Waikiki was transformed into the "Topps NFL Experience," and on Jan. 31, the competition was set to see who would take home the gold football and the title of "Military Challenge Champions."
Having had a winning streak the past two years, the Army was the odds on favorite to take it again.
The Hawaii Marines team was made up of Marines and Sailors from across MCB Hawaii: team captain Lt. j.g. Joel Rolley of Patrol Squadron 47; Pfc. Chris Watkins of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363; Lance Cpl. Jeremy Boyer of Alpha Battery, 1st Bn., 12th Marines; Pfc. Roger Tatman also of Alpha 1/12; and Lance Cpl. Tim Legros of HMH-363.
The talent on the Marine team was an excellent match for this competition against the other service teams.
It was a beautiful day in paradise, perfect weather for tossing the pigskin. Held in advance, a random drawing set the place of order for competition.
This feature event on the Pro Bowl week schedule was highly anticipated, evident by the throngs of spectators who showed up.
The first event in the competition was the "Field Goal Kick" that pitted intramural football All-Star Tim Legros of HMH-363 against the best the other services had to offer.
Coming in with a record setting 56-yard field goal during the regular season of MCB Hawaii tackle football, Legros made each kick look easy. Kicking in 5-yard increments and starting at 15 yards, Legros put every kick through the uprights until he missed a 45-yard attempt.
This miss put the Marine team in a tie for 1st place with the Air Force, and the Army.
The second event was "Air it out." This skills match required concentration and control under pressure.
Competitors threw the ball into a small target, from varied distances in 10-yard increments. Kaneohe Bay's own Chris Watkins showed brilliance with his bullet-like passes through a hole no larger than a basketball rim.
Putting up a good fight against the Navy's quarterback, it was neck and neck until they reached 35-yards and Watkins missed, putting the Marines in 1st place for the event.
In first place overall, the Marines felt well, but it was anyone's game.
"The Training Camp," the next event in the competition, proved to be a lot harder than it looked. An obstacle course made up of five different impediments, this event would prove to be the hardest to master.
Hawaii Marines running back Roger Tatman was up to the challenge, but wasn't able to get his footing after a light rain had caused the rubber surface of the course to slow him down. He slipped twice and lost valuable seconds.
They were now in third.
With eight events remaining, each team began to put their strategies into motion. Each team needed to find a way to capitalize on the other's weakness.
"The Drive," "The Hans," The Long Snap," and "The Quarterback Challenge" were all events that required skill, strength and tenacity. By the time these events ended, the Marines found themselves in 4th place and asking how they could make up ground to get back on top.
It was still possible, but it would take everything they had, including luck, to end up on top.
Although he missed his mark in the "Long Snap," team captain Rolley of VP-47 excelled in the "Mind Games" trivia competition. His knowledge of current affairs and NFL trivia landed the Marines a win in the event, and put them back into third place.
With questions like "which three teams lost four Super Bowls?" and "Who was the first female Supreme Court Justice?" Rolley proved his superior intellect earning him a perfect score.
The Marines were back in the game with only three events to go. However, the rest of the competition seemed to drag on and on.
Everyone was getting tired and hungry, and with no time to rest, the Marines pressed on.
The "Down and Out" competition would be the crucial event. The ball was in the hands of field general Joel Rolley's skill, along with the speed and agility of running back Roger Tatman.
Rolley held the ball in limbo for what seemed like an eternity. Showing great determination and control of the ball, he then ordered Tatman in motion.
Tatman displayed Barry Sanders-like moves and great prowess on the field.
As he turned to capture the ball, which had just been released from the ball machine operated by Rolley, it slipped through his hands. The opportunity to advance was lost.
In the last events - the Sony Playstation "NFL Game Day Football" and the "Topps Pack Wars" - Marines took 5th and 3rd respectively, putting them in last place overall.
The Coast Guard took home the gold.
"Being in last place is difficult to accept, but it will make us stronger ... next time," said Rolley.