There were six quarterbacks originally selected to the 2016 Pro Bowl and only Seattle’s Russell Wilson among them managed to find his way to Aloha Stadium on Sunday.

He might like to thank the others.

Wilson used the opportunity to dominate the stage, wrapping up the offensive MVP of the game honors before halftime — and the anywhere-in-the-world vacation that came with it.

By the time Wilson exited the playing field in Halawa with 12 minutes, 38 seconds left in the second quarter, having completed eight of 12 passes for 164 yards, Team Irvin had a 21-7 lead it never lost en route to a 49-27 victory.

It might have been the easiest $58,000 (winners’ share) picked up by a starting quarterback in this annual all-star game.

But if Wilson did not miss the presence of the diaspora QBs — Ben Roethlisberger, Aaron Rodgers, Carson Palmer, Cam Newton and Tom Brady, who were either preparing for the Super Bowl (Newton) or citing injuries (everybody else) and those who passed on being replacements (Philip Rivers, etc.) — the quality of the declining game sure did.

The remaining passers completed barely 59 percent of their passes and suffered seven interceptions.

This in an exhibition in which blitzes and exotic coverages were banned by rule and the only “sack” was more of a brotherly hug.

At times it more resembled a park-league, go-deep-and-throw-it contest.

Small wonder the winning head coach, Michael Irvin, said a key part of his draft strategy was to select, “guys who can go up and get it (the ball).”

As much as other quarterbacks have come to bypass the game in recent years, Wilson says the game is a “must-go” for him as long as he isn’t in the Super Bowl.

“I look back to my rookie year (2013 Pro Bowl), when I got selected and had Drew Brees, Eli Manning and Peyton Manning (in the game) and the (opportunity) to gain knowledge from those guys was a special experience,” Wilson said.

“Anytime you have an opportunity to play the great game of football, you have to take advantage of it,” Wilson said after separating himself from a crowd of fans.

“I’m grateful the Seahawks have given me the opportunity to play. Also just to be here at the Pro Bowl is a special thing because to be able to see all those amazing players across the league. They are the best players in the world, and to be able to play on one field together is a really, really cool thing and you never want to lose it.”

Wilson said, “For me, I know I don’t want to get rid of the Pro Bowl just because it is a special thing, something that you can’t find anywhere else.”

He probably wasn’t referring to watching Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman, playing slotback, get tackled by Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner. Or another Seattle teammate, defensive end, Michael Bennett, at quarterback in the shotgun.

“After (bringing the) family and after taxes, you want to leave with somethin’,” Sherman said.

Thanks to being accompanied by his quarterback, he will.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.