Steve Smith was on his way to big, big things in the NFL, having won a Super Bowl with the Giants when he was a rookie in 2007, having set a franchise record with 107 receptions in 2009. He was on his way to more exploits on the field and a big payday off it, until he hurt his knee midway through the 2010 season and was never the same.
Steve Smith’s NFL career, once so promising to behold, lasted six years, but in truth was only three and a half years. After the injury he was nothing more than a hobbled player just trying to hang on with the Eagles and Rams. It all came and went so quickly for Smith, once a Super Bowl winner, that he tried to impart those lessons to his younger brother, Malcolm – a linebacker for the Seahawks – in the days leading up to Super Bowl XLVIII.
“I just told him to enjoy the moment, go out in pregame and take some pictures because you never know when it could end and you may never be back again,’’ Steve Smith said. “I think he took a lot from my experience and just savoring the moment and knowing it can be done any time, things change in a minute. He really took advantage of his opportunity.’’
The younger Smith took advantage of the opportunity in a big way. No one would have given you odds of Malcolm Smith being the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XLVIII, but he was, fittingly, as it was a bludgeoning defense that paved the way for Seattle’s 43-8 pummeling of Peyton Manning and the Broncos at MetLife Stadium.
In the second quarter, Smith eased around a flat-footed Knowshon Moreno to pluck a wounded duck out of the air from Manning, whose throwing arm was hit by defensive end Cliff Avril, and raced 69 yards for a touchdown to give the Seahawks a 22-0 lead. In the third quarter, cornerback Byron Maxwell punched the ball away from Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas after a 23-yard gain and Smith was on the scene for the fumble recovery. Smith did not start the game, but he finished with nine tackles and two impactful defensive plays.
And Steve Smith was there to bask in the glow of every minute of it.
“He had a great playoff, he didn’t even start [in the Super Bowl] and he made the most of every opportunity he had, so I’m just very proud of him,’’ Steve Smith said. “MVP? I mean, has that ever happened? When was the last time a linebacker got MVP of a Super Bowl? We’re really just blessed and thankful.’’
Steve Smith says he has no problem with Malcolm’s Super Bowl ring being bigger than his.
“It better be bigger than mine,’’ he said. “He got the MVP award. He deserves it.’’
Steve Smith was sitting near the field in the corner of the Seahawks end zone, the opposite side from where Malcolm was running after his interception. That highlight-film play nearly caused an altercation from the normally stoic older brother.
“My mom had to come stop me because I was about to fight the Broncos fans,’’ Steve Smith said, “Out of just jubilation and excitement and anger, because Malcolm was the underdog.’’