LIHU‘E — Roughly 250 of Kaua‘i neighborhood kids turned up to meet and learn from their favorite NFL players and cheerleaders for what just might be the final annual Pro Bowl Youth Clinic at Vidinha Stadium. Every year for the
LIHU‘E — Roughly 250 of Kaua‘i neighborhood kids turned up to meet and learn from their favorite NFL players and cheerleaders for what just might be the final annual Pro Bowl Youth Clinic at Vidinha Stadium.
Every year for the past seven during the week leading up to the Pro Bowl in Honolulu, professional players and cheerleaders have toured the Hawaiian Islands to promote physical fitness, teach young players how to play football or teach proper cheer techniques. With the Pro Bowl moving to Miami next year and the lack of a contract between the NFL and Hawai‘i Tourism Authority to bring it back to Honolulu, there is no guarantee that the clinic will return to Vidinha Stadium.
Ten-year-old Micah Layosa, a running back for the Lihu‘e Patriots, has been attending these NFL clinics for the past three years and is disappointed that the clinic won’t be offered next year.
“I feel kind of sad because (we) won’t get to play with (the NFL players) again,” Layosa said.
Layosa said that through the clinic, he learned to throw better, run and block.
“My favorite part of this is being with the players and the opportunity to play with them,” he said.
Stacie Serquina, a senior at Kaua‘i High School, is not a football player, but was attending the clinic for the first time.
“I wanted to see what was like,” she said. “I’m sad this won’t be here next year. We won’t be able to meet the football players anymore.”
The players themselves seem to share the same thoughts about the Pro Bowl and clinics remaining in Hawai‘i.
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive guard and former University of Hawai‘i player Vince Manuwai has come to Kaua‘i for this clinic for three years.
“It’s always great to come back for the kids,” he said.
Manuwai also said that if the Pro Bowl does not return to Hawai‘i, he may only do clinics with his former Hawai‘i teammates on O‘ahu. But he would much rather prefer that things not change.
“It’s tough because this is pretty much the only chance the kids get to see us,” Manuwai said. “They see us on TV, but through these, they get to see us in person. This is pretty much the last of it.”
For Miami Dolphins offensive center and former Hawai‘i player Samson Satele, this was his first chance to be a part of the experience. He was invited during his rookie season last year but couldn’t attend because his wife was having a baby.
He wanted to do it this year because the opportunity to do it again in the islands might not come around.
“With this being the last Pro Bowl in Hawai‘i, I wanted to give back to the kids,” he said. “I was a kid at one of these clinics — I was about 8 or 9 — and met all the players. I was in love with football then, but it was when I met all the pros that I knew I wanted to be a pro too.”
He like others who have expressed disappointment in the Pro Bowl’s leaving, does not like the move to Miami.
“I don’t like it not just because I’m from Hawai‘i, but because, more than half of the players have never been to Hawai‘i. Most of them go through Miami during the season.”
Kaua‘i County Council chair Kaipo Asing said he’s seen all the good the NFL players do for the kids and is “not happy about it leaving at all.”
“Maybe they won’t be happy on the Mainland and come back here,” Asing said. “I think it’s been great over the years and they are always helpful here. We’re always grateful for all Nat (Moore) and the players have done for us.”
Nat Moore, the Executive Director of the NFL Pro Bowl Youth Clinics, has not yet ruled out the possibility of coming back.
“I think there’s an opportunity there,” Moore said. “I know the commissioner (Roger Goodell) said the Pro Bowl might be on rotation and I’m one of those optimistic type of people who think the best of things. I’ve enjoyed my stay here. I think anything, it takes the league and the folks of the HTA to negotiate a contract. The kids here have been outstanding.
“They have a chance to be around a group of guys they normally wouldn’t be around. This is a memory of a lifetime for some of these kids.”
Moore opened the clinic by introducing himself to the kids and stressing the concept of learning and doing well in school.
He later introduced the players, leaving the local one for last.
Brennen Carvalho of the Green Bay Packers greeted the kids and on behalf of the his father, Mayor Bernard Carvalho, thanked everyone for being a part of this NFL clinic.
“I hope you guys learn something today,” Carvalho said.
The kids were then separated into groups and teamed up with the NFL players for drills.
Other players in attendance were three-time clinic participants Cleo Lemon (Jaguars) and Nick Sorensen, seven-time clinic players Fred McCrary (Seahawks) and Zack Crockett (Raiders), Marquand Manuel (Broncos), Jabar Gaffney (Patriots), Matt Roth (Dolphins) and Charlie Anderson (Dolphins).
Participating cheerleaders were Romi Bean (Broncos), Johanna Menendez (49ers), Elizabeth Johnson (Raiders) and Crystal Miller (Dolphins).
• Lanaly Cabalo, sports editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or lcabalo@kauaipubco.com
