LIHU‘E — Furlough Friday does not mean learning stops, said Nat Moore, coordinator of the 2010 Pro Bowl Youth Clinic, Friday afternoon. Moore, who arrived with six NFL players and three NFL cheerleaders, was greeted by more than 200 young
LIHU‘E — Furlough Friday does not mean learning stops, said Nat Moore, coordinator of the 2010 Pro Bowl Youth Clinic, Friday afternoon.
Moore, who arrived with six NFL players and three NFL cheerleaders, was greeted by more than 200 young players aspiring to improve their skills in football and cheer at Vidinha Stadium.
“You learn even if there is no school,” Moore said. “You learn how to compete and every day you get stronger, both mentally and physically.”
Drawing on the national initiative on obesity, Moore encouraged the youngsters to practice the “Play 60” theme which was emblazoned on this year’s edition of the NFL Pro Bowl T-shirt which each participant received for free. He additionally encouraged each person to get another person engaged in the “Play 60” physical activity daily to combat obesity.
The NFL Pro Bowl was played in Florida this year, but due to talks with the Kaua‘i and Big Island mayors, there was a plan that would bring the clinics back to the Islands, Moore said.
“We want to thank Nat for coming here with his NFL players and cheerleaders,” said Kaipo Asing, chair of the Kaua‘i County Council. “We thought we lost them, but they took it on themselves to be here. They are here for you.”
Moore said this is the first time in 30 years that the Pro Bowl was not in Hawai‘i, but it is returning in 2011, 2012.
“This is a great opportunity for the young people to listen, understand and partner with these professionals,” Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. said. “Football is a great sport and a lot of things that happen on the field happen in life.”
The 2010 Pro Bowl Youth Clinic was made possible through the coordination of Maty Yoshioka and the staff of the Kaua‘i Economic Development Board, the group which has been annually at the forefront of the youth clinics.
During the two-hour clinic, young players were teamed with one of six NFL players working through various drills, some with footballs and others without. Aspiring cheerleaders were grouped with the three NFL professionals including Megan Danforth of the Miami Dolphins, Jill Ann Pineda of the San Diego Chargers and Amber Wright of the San Francisco 49ers.
NFL players heading up the station included two former University of Hawai‘i players — Vince Manuwai of the Jaguars and Davone Bess, in his second year with the Miami Dolphins where he finished the season with 70 catches.
Fred McCrary of the Falcons has been at every youth clinic held in Hawai‘i, Moore describing him as being an “exceptional player.”
Raiders running back Marcel Reece and Browns safety Nick Sorensen rounded out the field.
Captain Aaron Cudnohufsky of the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Mana had a contingent of U.S. Navy personnel assisting the KEDB staff with field chores.
