INDIANAPOLIS —
Not that he needed the reminder, but the AFC and NFC Championship Games were further proof of the value of special teams to Tyler Sash.
The New York Giants rookie safety and former University of Iowa star has found a home in the NFL by playing the game’s third phase.
Jacquian Williams’ forced fumble and recovery set up Lawrence Tynes’ NFC title game-winning field goal against the San Francisco 49ers that sent the Giants to Super Bowl XLVI.
New York’s opponent, the New England Patriots, won the AFC crown after Baltimore Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff’s late field goal try sailed wide left.
“That’s something that we talk about each and every week … special teams can change the game,” Sash said during Tuesday’s Media Day at Lucas Oil Stadium. “There really are three phases, offense, defense and special teams, working together as one.”
Sash, an Oskaloosa native who fell just short of Nile Kinnick’s career interceptions record as a Hawkeye, had 17 tackles and one forced fumble this season with the Giants.
He said his life has been a blur since Iowa’s 2011 Insight Bowl victory against Missouri. He declared for the NFL draft in the immediate aftermath of the game and went straight into training for the NFL scouting combine.
From the combine, he moved on to the Hawkeyes’ Pro Day and then was selected in the sixth round of April’s draft by the Giants.
During the four-month lockout, Sash kept working out and hit the ground running in August. He earned a spot on New York’s 53-man roster, and now he’s standing on the grandest stage in sports.
“I started my year off here in Indy at the combine, and now I’m finishing it at the Super Bowl here in Indy again,” Sash said. “So it’s awesome.”
All that work hasn’t allowed him much time to go home.
But he was back in Oskaloosa during the Giants’ bye week and even had time to take in an Iowa home game.
He said he appreciates the support of his home state, and he’s proud to carry the Hawkeye flag at the Super Bowl.
“I have tremendous support,” he said. “I’m here to represent the University of Iowa football, Hawkeye football, obviously, the state of Iowa, my hometown of Oskaloosa and, of course, the Giants. I’m blessed to be somebody to represent the great state of Iowa and Iowa football and my hometown.”
He also feels blessed to be at the Super Bowl in his first year in the league.
Sash said he knows there are players who spend a decade or more in the NFL and never get to play in the season’s grand finale.
The experience isn’t overwhelming, but he does have a healthy respect for what he’s about to undertake.
The key, Sash said, is perspective.
“I know it is the biggest game in the world and the most media-oriented event in the world,” he said. “But you just have to keep on an even keel. I know it is another game, but at the same time there’s a lot at stake.”
Sash said the Patriots have great special teams, and he knows field position could play a big role Sunday.
Both teams have explosive offenses, and it will be up to the respective special teams units to make sure neither ends up with a short field and an easy score.
Sash stood on that field Tuesday and soaked in his surroundings. He’s arrived at the pinnacle of his profession, and he can’t wait to play the game.
“It’s been a great ride,” he said, “and I look forward to Sunday.”
Sports
Related Photos
-
New York Giants safety Tyler Sash talks to the media during Media Day, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Photo by Joseph C. Garza/Tribune-Star
Share your thoughts!
Oskaloosa native makes Super Bowl on special teams
- Sports
-
-
(Photos) NASCAR Nationwide Series at Iowa Speedway
-
Centerville distance med team breaks school record en route to title
Centerville’s 1,600 meter distance medley team took the state title in the event at the Iowa High School Co-Ed State Track Meet at Drake Stadium on Friday. They did so by breaking the school record in the event.
-
SLIDESHOW: QB from Texas commits to Iowa
Nic Shimonek of Corsicana, Texas, committed this week to play football at the University of Iowa. The Mildred High School junior also excels at basketball and baseball.
-
Fifteen area athletes qualify for state track meet
There will be several area athletes competing at the 2012 Iowa High School State Track Meet at Drake Stadium in Des Moines this weekend. A total of 15 individual athletes between Moravia, Seymour and Centerville will compete in 13 events.
-
Boys golf claims district win; advance to sectionals
The Centerville BIg Reds are district champions. They claimed the title by am 11 stroke margin over Pella at Willow Creek Golf Course yesterday afternoon.
-
Chelsey Banks signs with Indian Hills
Chelsey Banks signed with Indian Hills Community College to play softball for the Warriors beginning next season. Chelsey is a senior at Centerville High School and will be competing in her last season as a Centerville Redette from behind the plate. Pictured in front from left to right is mother Stephanie Banks, Chelsey and father Chuck Banks. Pictured in the back row from left to right is CHS athletic director Jim Knott, Redettes softball coach Mike Miller and Indian Hills head softball coach Jim Overturf.
-
Wyatt Flattery competes at rodeo
Wyatt Flattery of Moravia competed in the steer wrestling event at the High School and Junior High Rodeo sponsored by the Iowa High School Rodeo Association in Sidney, Ia. on Sunday, April 29.
-
Redettes second to Osceola in SCC golf meet
The Centerville Redettes were unable to overcome a hot start by Clarke on Tuesday, as Centerville finished second to Clarke by two strokes at the South Central Conference meet.
-
US to host wrestling meet in Times Square
The U.S. freestyle Olympic wrestling team will compete against an international squad next month in New York's Times Square.
-
IOC to likely retest Athens samples
Eight years later, the IOC will likely retest doping samples from the Athens Olympics to catch any drug cheats who may have avoided detection.
-
Falcons end season with twinbill sweep
The Indian Hills Falcons finished their regular season with a Sunday twinbill sweep over Southwestern Community College.
-
Big Reds repeat as conference champs
The Centerville Big Reds won almost half of the events en route to their second straight South Central Conference track title on Thursday. It’s the fifth time the Big Reds have won the title since 2003.
-
Falcons see ten-game streak broken
The Indian Hills Falcons were swept Saturday in two, one-run games, by Southwestern Community College.
-
Big Reds break through with 4-2 win against Chariton
The Centerville Big Reds cleared the goose egg in the win column on Tuesday against Chariton, picking up a 4-2 victory to win their first game of the season.
-
Centerville hosts SCC track meet today
A tough field from the six South Central Conference schools will embark on the track at Paul Johnson Field today. Teams from Centerville, Albia, Davis County, Clarke (Osceola), Eddyville-Blakesburg and Chariton will vie for the South Central Conference title.
- More Sports Headlines
-
