By Mike Wobschall, vikings.com


For the sixth time in his ten-year NFL career, Matt Birk is a Pro Bowler. A fan favorite, Birk has transformed from a young player fighting for a roster spot to a chiseled veteran who is a family man and very active in the local community.

Birk’s dominance as a center in the NFC has earned him those six Pro Bowls, while his kindness and charitable efforts are what has earned him six consecutive Vikings Man of the Year Awards. A native Minnesotan, Birk has a way with the home crowd and a passion for his home state.

From his annual golf tournament to numerous charitable activities to opening up a couple of local restaurants (Matty B’s Supper Club in Mpls. and St. Paul), Birk has approached community involvement with the same intensity and passion that he uses to open holes for Vikings running backs and fend off pass rushers for Vikings quarterbacks.

With the regular season and playoffs now over, the Pro Bowl is here to recognize individual accomplishments. And with the enormous contribution Birk has given to Minnesota both on the field of play and in the community, it’s only fitting that he is in the center of it all for the NFC.

After a few days of cross-Pacific phone tag, Birk checked in with vikings.com to give an update of what’s happening on the Big Island.


vikings.com: It’s only late-morning here, so it must be really early where you are.

MB: Yeah, we’re four hours behind so it’s a quarter after five (in the morning) here.

vikings.com: So, you’re an early riser during Pro Bowl week.

MB: Well, the kids are early risers; their bodies don’t take the time change into account like we adults do.

vikings.com: Who did you bring with you to the Pro Bowl this year?

MB: My wife and three kids; the usual clan.

vikings.com: What keeps you and the family busy this week in Hawaii?

MB: Well, it’s become a Birk tradition to go down to the Dole Pineapple Farm and get a tasting in. And we always try some pineapple ice cream, too. It’s definitely become an annual event and a tradition.

vikings.com: The last time you had this many teammates with you in Hawaii was 2000. Is it nice to have some teammates there with you?

MB: It definitely is. I think having seven guys here from the Vikings is something for us to be proud of and it gives us something to build on for next year. I’m happy for the rest of the guys because they deserve it. It is nice to see some of the guys from other teams that are usually down here, but I also enjoy having friends from the team here so we can share some time together.

vikings.com: What kind of playbook does each team employ for the game?

MB: Well, there are basic plays that most teams in the league run, so we just kind of stick to those. There really isn’t much practicing that goes on during the week, it’s more about getting your timing down with new teammates and making sure everyone’s on the same page. Then, just like during the regular season, the game is about who can execute those plays the best.

vikings.com: The last time the Vikings had seven Pro Bowlers was in 2000. That also happened to be your first Pro Bowl. Do you remember much about your first time in Hawaii for the Pro Bowl?

MB: Oh yes, it’s something that you don’t really forget. Right now it feels like about 100 years ago, but I definitely remember it. I brought my mom and dad with me, along with my brothers and a bunch of buddies.