By
Scary
Barry
Rodriguez
January 26,
2013
Aloha stadium , Honolulu , Hawaii - Last night Scary Barry took Super
Bowl Wayne to the airport , sent him on his way to New Orleans . Today
its just me and Justin on the ride out on H1 to Aloha stadium for O'
Hana day and the NFC/AFC practices. Camera man Daniel and reporter Brent
Curry are meeting us there. We leave at 7:30 am , early enough to beat
any traffic problems. Justin is my navigator using a the GPS on his
phone. But he has trouble given me a heads up fast enough and I miss an
exit here and there. I know Hawaii as well as I know Paris when it comes
to destinations ! So we have a little unplanned sight seeing before
arriving at Aloha stadium.  |
| Inspirational |
We arrive on site and thousands of fans are already there waiting for
the practices to begin at 9:00 am. Me and justin go to the media gate ,
enter the stadium and start to check out the scene. The climate is
already steaming but Security doesn't allow any water bottles or drinks
in ! While waiting I have Justin take as many pictures as he can . The
stands are already full with families and their children . Most of these
fans are carrying signs or wearing their favorite team's gear. Team
mascots and NFL team cheerleaders are on the sidelines.
 |
| Glamorous |
 |
| John Lynch |
Again we get a late start because we are waiting for Daniel and Brent to
hook up with us. We have three reporters and only one camera to work
with. Daniel and Brent arrive and get to it immediately . They know
their jobs . We need plenty of B roll , which is anything besides
interviews. You want to film the stands , the NFL team mascots and cheer
leaders , VIPs and players in action during the practice sessions.
 |
| Ohana |
 |
| Attentive |
On the field its and in the stadium its scorching ! Heat exhaustion city
! Scary Barry being an old dog is dragging ! Justin , Daniel and Brent
are tearing it up and don't require motivation. So today I am doing more
of the field director's job. I ensure that everything is covered and
handle any problems. The NFL has rules that have to be followed at all
these events. The officials don't miss anything that happens.
They'll
pull your credentials in a heart beat if you cross the line !
 |
| Marcus Allen |
 |
| Doug Flutie |
Everyone is here today . Former Raider great Marcus Allen is walking
around . EX NFL quarterback Doug Flutie is interacting with the fans ,
autographing miniature footballs. Toby Gerhart from Stanford is posing
for pictures. I'm photographed with media great Al Michaels. Sometimes
during
NFL game telecasts Michaels has to carry the rest of the team
because they are not quite up to par. He's a Pro !
 |
| Toby Gerhart |
 |
| "The Great" Al Michaels |
The fans are going wildly cheering for their favorite players , bagging
autographs and watching those NFL cheer leaders shake their booties !
Shake ! Shake ! Shake ! The stands are a sea of different NFL team
colors. The whole stadium is bedecked with Pro Bowl decorations ! Out in
the parking lot venders are selling everything from clothes to medical
cures. When the Scary one goes out to his car for something he is
stumped. There is about a thousand look alike rental cars out in the lot
. It takes about fifteen minutes to locate the big Chevy SUV I've been
driving !
 |
| Charles Tillman |
 |
| Andrew Luck |
Meanwhile back in the stadium the hot Hawaiian sun is beating down on
everyone. I'm thinking of some shade ! Between practice sessions the
Play 60 kids are hamming it up with the NFL mascots and NFL cheer
leaders on the field . O' Hana day is all about the fans ! Underlining
this event is the certainty that this year's Pro Bowl must be a real
game or the NFL will pull the plug on any further games. The players
know it and some such Charles Tillman and Andrew Luck have talked about
just this in recent interviews.
 |
| Graceful |
 |
| Just Do It! |
The AFC squad now rumbles out of the player's tunnel . The fans cheer
and a crowd of media cameras await the player's entrance. Here they come
! They run out onto the field as the ever vigilant security folks hold
everyone back to make a pathway . I can't help but notice that Andrew
Luck is one of the few players who stops and autographs team gear for
the fans. Luck is the real deal ! Not a big head in any way ! Generally
all the players have really put out for the fans this year . The new
breed of players are on point when it comes to pleasing their fans .
Besides autographs and pictures , they now use twitter to keep in touch !
 |
| It Your Turn! |
 |
| Sparkeling |
After the AFC practice ends its hit the field time for the Hawaii Five O
crew. Justin, Daniel and Brent start grabbing players and doing
interviews. Quick is the word of the day ! I was advised by the NFL that
today's event would end on time ! Its difficult at times because you
can never have too much on film or audio. You got to give the editing
crew much to work with later. We get all we can and then do an wrap up
stand up shots outside the media entrance with the Aloha stadium and Pro
Bowl logos as a backdrop. In the parking lot we part company. Daniel ,
Justin and myself hydrate. I suck down two bottles of water in the time
it takes to blink ! We all survived the day ! Tomorrow is the game and
the end of my journey to the 2013 Pro Bowl !
Later.......................................Scary Barry....................Peace and love to all !
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