By Julian Linden
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey Mon Feb 3, 2014 12:45am EST
Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Malcolm Smith celebrates with the Vince Lombardi trophy after defeating the Denver Broncos in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game in East Rutherford, New Jersey, February 2, 2014.
Credit: Reuters/Ray Stubblebine
<span id="articleText"><span id="midArticle_start"/> EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Reuters) - No one was more surprised than Malcolm Smith when the Seattle Seahawks linebacker was awarded the Most Valuable Player in Sunday's Super Bowl.
<span id="midArticle_1"/>The 24-year-old played an outstanding game, scoring a crucial touchdown, recovering a fumble and making five solo tackles as the Seahawks demolished the Denver Broncos 43-8, but it never crossed his mind that he might win one of the game's biggest individual awards.
<span id="midArticle_2"/>"I always imagined myself making great plays but I never thought about being the MVP," he said.
<span id="midArticle_3"/>"I was just happy to be on the field."
<span id="midArticle_4"/>Linebackers rarely win the MVP and Smith was just the third in 48 years to get the nod, which was decided by a panel of 16 NFL writers.
<span id="midArticle_5"/>The others were Chuck Howley of the Dallas Cowboys (1971 Super Bowl) and Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens (2001 Super Bowl).
<span id="midArticle_6"/>Smith's crowning moment came in the second quarter when he intercepted a pass from Denver quarterback Peyton Manning and raced 69 yards downfield for a touch town that left MetLife Stadium rocking.
<span id="midArticle_7"/>Seattle were already leading 15-0 but the Broncos were on the charge and looking to get some points on the board before halftime. When Smith made it safely to the Broncos' end zone, the game was as good as over.
<span id="midArticle_8"/>"I guess we had good coverage on the back end. Peyton kind of scanned the opposite side of the field and was working his way back," Smith explained.
<span id="midArticle_9"/>"We had excellent pressure, somebody got the their arm on the ball, I didn't see who.
<span id="midArticle_10"/>"I guess the ball came out high and I was just fortunate that the running back was kind of sitting there waiting on it and I just attacked it and took off."
<span id="midArticle_11"/>Smith has made a habit of big interceptions. He did not make any in his first 43 games in the NFL but has now made four in last five games, including the game winner in the NFC Conference clash with the San Francisco 49ers.
<span id="midArticle_12"/>His road to the top has not been easy. He played for the University of Southern California under Pete Carroll, who is now the coach of the Seattle Seahawks.
<span id="midArticle_13"/>When he was still at college, Smith was diagnosed with the rare eating disorder achalasia, which forces him to eat slowly and digest only small amounts of food.
<span id="midArticle_14"/>He lost a lot of weight and his chances of making into the NFL started to wane. He was not invited to annual combine, where NFL hopefuls get to show off their athletic ability to prospective teams, but drafted by the Seahawks as the 242nd overall pick.
<span id="midArticle_15"/>After a solid start to his NFL career, which is now in its third year, Smith has established himself as a vital cog in a Seattle defensive that is unmatched as the best in the NFL and credits the defense for his MVP award.
<span id="midArticle_0"/>"It just represent how our defense played. I'm just here to represent the defense," he said.
<span id="midArticle_1"/>"I played well tonight and I had a couple of opportunities. But you've seen guys make these plays all year and tonight was my turn."
<span id="midArticle_2"/>(Reporting by Julian Linden, editing by Gene Cherry)
<span id="midArticle_3"/>
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey Mon Feb 3, 2014 12:45am EST
Credit: Reuters/Ray Stubblebine
<span id="articleText"><span id="midArticle_start"/> EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Reuters) - No one was more surprised than Malcolm Smith when the Seattle Seahawks linebacker was awarded the Most Valuable Player in Sunday's Super Bowl.
<span id="midArticle_1"/>The 24-year-old played an outstanding game, scoring a crucial touchdown, recovering a fumble and making five solo tackles as the Seahawks demolished the Denver Broncos 43-8, but it never crossed his mind that he might win one of the game's biggest individual awards.
<span id="midArticle_2"/>"I always imagined myself making great plays but I never thought about being the MVP," he said.
<span id="midArticle_3"/>"I was just happy to be on the field."
<span id="midArticle_4"/>Linebackers rarely win the MVP and Smith was just the third in 48 years to get the nod, which was decided by a panel of 16 NFL writers.
<span id="midArticle_5"/>The others were Chuck Howley of the Dallas Cowboys (1971 Super Bowl) and Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens (2001 Super Bowl).
<span id="midArticle_6"/>Smith's crowning moment came in the second quarter when he intercepted a pass from Denver quarterback Peyton Manning and raced 69 yards downfield for a touch town that left MetLife Stadium rocking.
<span id="midArticle_7"/>Seattle were already leading 15-0 but the Broncos were on the charge and looking to get some points on the board before halftime. When Smith made it safely to the Broncos' end zone, the game was as good as over.
<span id="midArticle_8"/>"I guess we had good coverage on the back end. Peyton kind of scanned the opposite side of the field and was working his way back," Smith explained.
<span id="midArticle_9"/>"We had excellent pressure, somebody got the their arm on the ball, I didn't see who.
<span id="midArticle_10"/>"I guess the ball came out high and I was just fortunate that the running back was kind of sitting there waiting on it and I just attacked it and took off."
<span id="midArticle_11"/>Smith has made a habit of big interceptions. He did not make any in his first 43 games in the NFL but has now made four in last five games, including the game winner in the NFC Conference clash with the San Francisco 49ers.
<span id="midArticle_12"/>His road to the top has not been easy. He played for the University of Southern California under Pete Carroll, who is now the coach of the Seattle Seahawks.
<span id="midArticle_13"/>When he was still at college, Smith was diagnosed with the rare eating disorder achalasia, which forces him to eat slowly and digest only small amounts of food.
<span id="midArticle_14"/>He lost a lot of weight and his chances of making into the NFL started to wane. He was not invited to annual combine, where NFL hopefuls get to show off their athletic ability to prospective teams, but drafted by the Seahawks as the 242nd overall pick.
<span id="midArticle_15"/>After a solid start to his NFL career, which is now in its third year, Smith has established himself as a vital cog in a Seattle defensive that is unmatched as the best in the NFL and credits the defense for his MVP award.
<span id="midArticle_0"/>"It just represent how our defense played. I'm just here to represent the defense," he said.
<span id="midArticle_1"/>"I played well tonight and I had a couple of opportunities. But you've seen guys make these plays all year and tonight was my turn."
<span id="midArticle_2"/>(Reporting by Julian Linden, editing by Gene Cherry)
<span id="midArticle_3"/>
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