KIRKLAND – The Pro Bowl Lounge is open again, and this time Robbie Tobeck is on the guest list.
Tobeck and rookie teammate Lofa Tatupu found out Wednesday that they will be injury replacements at next month’s Pro Bowl, giving the Seattle Seahawks an NFC-high seven representatives in Hawaii.
The news was especially sweet for Tobeck, a 12-year NFL veteran who groused so much about not being invited to the 2004 Pro Bowl that his teammates decorated his locker with Hawaiian adornment and dubbed it the “Pro Bowl Lounge.”
“I get to finally go into the Pro Bowl Lounge,” he said. “Hutch (Steve Hutchinson) and Walt (Walter Jones) will let me in there now.”
Tobeck is one of three Seahawks offensive linemen headed to Hawaii, joining Hutchinson and Jones. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, running back Shaun Alexander and fullback Mack Strong are also on their way.
Tatupu, a middle linebacker who was Seattle’s second-round draft pick, is the lone representative from the defense.
“I just couldn’t believe it,” Tatupu said of his reaction to hearing the news. “I’m just grateful and very thankful that I’m able to represent the Seahawks with all the other guys.”
The Seahawks now have as many players going to the Pro Bowl as Indianapolis, which will have seven players on the AFC squad.
The Chicago Bears had six players invited to Hawaii, but two of them backed out this week, opening the door for Tobeck and Tatupu. Bears center Olin Kreutz and middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, who have both played in the Pro Bowl before, cited injuries as their reason for not wanting to attend this year’s game.
Tobeck has been the leader of an offensive line that is considered by many to be the best in the league. He finished third in fan, player and coach voting – behind Kreutz and New Orleans center LeCharles Bentley – and thus became the first alternate.
“It’s been a goal of mine every year I’ve ever played,” said Tobeck, 35. “It feels awesome. Just knowing that the fans voted and other players voted, and the coaches, that’s a real honor. It’s a real humbling thing to finally reach that goal.”
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