Tuesday 3 February 2015 09:23, UK
Malcolm Butler admits it will be tough to top his game-saving heroics for the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX.
The undrafted rookie safety, just two plays after being involved in one of the freakiest plays in the sport's history, picked off Russell Wilson on the goal-line to ensure the Patriots would hold off the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 and win the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
It was the first interception of Butler’s young career and could not have been better timed as the Seahawks threatened what would surely have been a game-winning touchdown.
Moments earlier he had been beaten by wide receiver Jermaine Kearse down the sideline, the Seahawks receiver gratefully grasping Wilson's long pass after it had first bounced off his hands and then up into the air off his leg.
“It’s the best feeling ever,” said a delighted Butler, who was still in full pads getting on for an hour after the game finished at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
“With two receivers stacked, they’re trying to get somebody open. It’ll usually be a pick route, and I just made a play because I had a feeling I knew what was about to happen.
“I was just like, ‘Don’t get beat!’ when I went back in [after Kearse’s catch], because I didn’t want to be the reason we lost.
“My team-mates tried to cheer me up by saying he just made a great play, and I got back out there and went back to work, even though it was devastating at the time.
“I knew he (Wilson) was going to try me, because I’m pretty sure he knows I’m a rookie and who wouldn’t try a rookie?
“I was ready, and I just tried to make the best of it. I don’t know how I knew what was going to happen, but I did and just beat him to the point and got the ball. I just read the play and made a play.”
