LaMarr Woodley basks in Pro Bowl spotlight

Unfortunately for Woodley, the play in Sunday night’s Pro Bowl, like the game itself, didn’t count because of a penalty.

Not that the outside linebacker didn’t get the most out of one of the few noteworthy moments for a Steeler in a shootout that the AFC won, 41-34, at Sun Life Stadium.

“I bobbled (the ball) a little bit when I got it,” Woodley said of the non-interception he made in the second quarter last night. “I said, ‘This is my only time to shine.’ I only ran slow because I wanted to get some camera time. I slowed down to get a little camera time back home.”

If Woodley wanted to bask in the moment it is understandable, as offensive players commanded the spotlight last night.

Taking advantage of the rules that are weighted heavily in favor of offenses — defenses are not allowed to blitz in the Pro Bowl — both teams went up and down the field, delighting the second-largest crowd ever to attend an NFL all-star game.

The teams combined for 987 total yards, relegating Steelers defensive players such as Woodley, outside linebacker James Harrison and nose tackle Casey Hampton to footnotes.

The game drew a paid crowd of 70,697.

The Steelers had just one offensive player in last night’s game, and tight end Heath Miller barely cracked the box score. He caught just one pass for 13 yards.

Woodley’s catch-and-run got nullified because the AFC had too many men on the field.

Given the restrictions with which the defenses had to play, Woodley would have been justified arguing that the extra man simply balanced things out.

“I probably could have made top 10 (plays) of the week,” Woodley said, “but it doesn’t look like it now.”

The Pro Bowl has traditionally been played after the Super Bowl and in Hawaii.

The NFL moved it to the site of the Super Bowl and played it a week before that title game to generate more interest in the Pro Bowl.

Woodley said his first Pro Bowl experience is one that will stay with him.

“Some of the best guys came out here,” Woodley said. “I have my locker next to (Ravens linebacker) Ray Lewis, a guy that’s been in the league a long time. Just talking to him you get some knowledge.”