Former UM players enjoying Pro Bowl spotlight

FORT LAUDERDALE _ Antrel Rolle has been quite the popular guy among the NFL Pro Bowlers.
With him being a South Floridian and former UM player, his peers often go to him for food and nightlife recommendations.

"All the time," said Rolle, a safety with the Arizona Cardinals. "(Darnell) Dockett even tried to get me to chauffeur him around (Tuesday) night and I ditched him. I'm going to take care of him tonight. I got him tonight."

Rolle is among the league-record 10 former Hurricanes in town for the Pro Bowl. All are proud to be part of such a prestigious fraternity, especially with many of them playing in their hometown.

"It means a lot that obviously we have a good establishment there (at UM)," Rolle said. "They've grown some young men into great adults and great teammates. We're all teammates. You don't get here alone, no matter who you are."

San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore felt the same. He and Rolle still workout at the UM facility when they return home.

"It’s big, real big. I haven’t played in front of my college fans and high school fans in a long time," Gore said. "Last year we got the opportunity to play Miami at home and I couldn’t play. Now, God made a way that I can get in the Pro Bowl and it’s being played down here."

All the former Hurricanes were disappointed to see the program fall on hard times a few years ago, but are thrilled about the resurgence under coach Randy Shannon, who is entering his fourth season. Rolle said Shannon has things headed in the right direction, but it's up to the players to complete the turnaround.

"What (Shannon's) been doing is phenomenal," Rolle said. "He's turning an organization that was once great and was starting to go bad and he's bringing it back up. It's up to those guys to buy into what he's saying. If they buy into his program, they definitely will have a winning program."

Here's a list of UM players in this year's Pro Bowl:
Receiver Andre Johnson (Houston Texans) Receiver Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts) Defensive lineman Vince Wilfork (New England Patriots) Linebacker Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens) Safety Ed Reed (Baltimore Ravens) Safety Brandon Meriweather (New England Patriots) Offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie (Minnesota Vikings) Linebacker Jonathan Vilma (New Orleans Saints) Running back Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers) Safety Antrel Rolle (Arizona Cardinals).

NOTE: Vilma and Wayne will not participate due to their preparation for Super Bowl XLIV.

Click here to order any of the above players' proCane Rookie Card.



(shandel richardson - sun-sentinel.com)