RENTON, Wash. — You tell him the details, the exploits from that incredible night, how his older brother grew up right there on the biggest stage of all, how he made the play before the play, and Malcolm Smith politely interrupts.
“I was there,’’ he says.
Of course he was.
Malcolm Smith was there in Glendale, Ariz., on Jan. 3, 2008 as the Giants pulled off one of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history, beating the previously-unbeaten Patriots 17-14 on Plaxico Burress’ touchdown catch with 39 seconds remaining, a play that will not be forgotten. Not so easily remembered is the 12-yard reception by Steve Smith, who had the wherewithal to get out of bounds, giving Eli Manning all the time he needed to find Burress in the end zone just before all the confetti fell.
“At that time I don’t think our family or even [Steve] realized how fortunate he was to be playing in the Super Bowl at that point,’’ Malcolm Smith told The Post. “Looking back, it’s pretty awesome.’’
There is something pretty awesome happening with Steve Smith’s younger brother. Malcolm Smith has a chance Sunday to start at linebacker for the Seahawks in the NFC Championship game against the 49ers, putting him one game away from where, six years ago, Steve ascended with the Giants.
“Role reversal,’’ Malcolm said. “After a game he always texts me how proud he is and he’s all excited. He’s a lot more emotional about me playing than he ever was about himself.’’
Neither Smith is very emotional, neither Smith is very big. Malcolm, at 6 feet and 226 pounds, barely looks like a safety, much less a linebacker. He’s in his third season with the Seahawks and this year has broken through, starting eight games, at times subbing for Bruce Irvin and then Bobby Wagner, at present filling in for K.J. Wright, who broke his foot Dec. 8 against the 49ers.
Wright was able to practice this week and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said he should be able to play against the 49ers.
“We’re really excited about that — an incredible recovery,” said Carroll, who earlier in the week said Smith’s play means Wright does not have to be rushed back into a featured role.
“Malcolm has played really well,’’ Carroll said. “We don’t feel like we have to have [Wright] back to force the issue.’’
Smith, 24, has made the most of his opportunity with 50 tackles, a sack and two interceptions — one returned 37 yards for a touchdown against the Rams. Smith doesn’t have the bulk to stand and deliver punishment and relies on his speed, an attribute that helped him overcome his seventh-round draft status.
It’s quite a different path than the one older brother Steve took. He did not have much speed at all, yet was such a gifted pass-catcher the Giants made him their 2007 second-round pick.
Both Smiths played at USC, four years apart. Steve Smith’s NFL career came and went in a flash. One moment he was making significant plays as a rookie for a Super Bowl winner, then he was setting a Giants franchise record with 107 receptions in 2008, then he tore up a knee and had microfracture surgery late in the 2010 season. He was never the same, bounced around to the Eagles and Rams and gave it another try this year with the Buccaneers before he announced his retirement at 28.
“He’s going great, he’s a father, he’s got a couple of business things he does, he’s just kind of enjoying his time away from football,’’ Malcolm said. “He’s kind of starting life, you know.
“Honestly for him, it really wasn’t a big deal for him. … He made the decision to walk away from the game early. It wasn’t like he was in need of anything, any money or glory or wins or anything like that. He kind of had a great career, short-lived, but it was good.’’
Malcolm, 24, knows after every game the texts will start buzzing on his phone with critiques or congrats from his older brother.
“If I miss a play or make a play he’s way more emotional than I’ll be,’’ Malcolm said. “I remember being in the stands and see him get hit, and I’ll be ready to go out on the field and try to fight somebody. It’s been good.’’