HONOLULU (AP) Former Michigan quarterback Tom Brady could only watch as Rich Gannon stole the show in the Pro Bowl.
- Paul Wong
- Green Bay”s Ahman Green is tackled by a host of AFC defenders in the AFC”s win.<br><br>AP PHOTO
Six days after leading the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl win, the 24-year-old was a third-string quarterback in the AFC”s 38-30 victory over the NFC on Saturday.
Instead, it was Gannon of Oakland who threw two touchdown passes in just more than a quarter as the AFC starter, including a 55-yard strike to Marvin Harrison for the squad”s first score after trailing 10-0.
Gannon was selected the player of the game for the second straight year, becoming the first two-time winner. He completed eight of 10 passes for 137 yards as the teams combined for 34 first-quarter points, the most points in a quarter in a Pro Bowl.
Brady, the Super Bowl MVP, waited patiently on the sideline for his turn.
Sitting alone on the end of the bench minutes before halftime, his eyes fixed on the highlights of the Patriots” victory over St. Louis last Sunday showing on the big screen.
Brady finally got his chance with 14:16 left, with the AFC well on its way to winning its fifth Pro Bowl in six years.
Brady finished 2-of-5 for 22 yards and an interception to Washington”s Champ Bailey that led to an NFC touchdown. He hadn”t been picked off since a divisional playoff game against the Raiders in the snow.
One member of the Super Bowl champions did dazzle. Former Michigan conerback Ty Law intercepted Donovan McNabb”s pass late in the game and ran 31 yards before pitching the ball to Ray Lewis, who went 13 yards for the AFC”s final touchdown.
It”s not just the pretty plays that make a Pro Bowl.
Gannon raised his throwing arm into the air to celebrate an ugly 30-yard completion to Troy Brown in the first quarter. Gannon handed off to Priest Holmes, who pitched the ball back to Gannon and he threw a wobbly pass downfield that was so underthrown that Brown had to run several yards back toward the line of scrimmage to haul it in. Holmes went on to score on the drive.