Jason Babin had waited through five teams and seven years in the NFL to finally get to Hawaii and play in the Pro Bowl.
On Wednesday he spent his first practice day, soaking everything in, getting to know his teammates and enjoying the trip of a lifetime.
“It's like another day at the office, but it feels real good to be out there (at the Pro Bowl),” Babin said via telephone from Hawaii. “The biggest thing for me was to just get the opportunity. I think I've matured a lot over the years and that helps.”
Babin posted 12.5 sacks this season for the Titans, and brought several people along to celebrate the reward of his first Pro Bowl with him. His wife and two sons made the trip, and he brought Jim Washburn, the Titans defensive line coach who left last week for a similar job with the Philadelphia Eagles, and Washburn's wife on the trip. Babin's parents made the trek as well, as well as his agent and his wife.
Babin himself is a free agent, and unless the Titans re-sign him to an extension, Sunday's game could be the last time he puts on a Titans helmet.
“I haven't seen to much of Coach Washburn over here yet. He and his wife, they're a pretty adventurous couple. I know he and my dad were up at four o'clock this morning having coffee, because they were having trouble adjusting to the time change,” Babin said.
Babin will take some time to enjoy the sites and attractions in Hawaii as well. He also has been busy making some new friends as well.
“I met most of the guys that are here already. But there are those other guys that I wanted to meet like John Abraham, those other guys that I really watch on Monday and Tuesday to see who got sacks. It's nice to hang out with some pass rushers,” Babin said.
- Terry McCormick
- co-publiser of TitanInsider - Lions247