NEW YORK -- Three words raced through Seattle Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smiths mind as he streaked toward the end zone in the Super Bowl, returning his interception of a pass by Peyton Manning: "Dont get caught. Jalyn Holmes Vikings Jersey ." That, Smith explained Monday at a news conference, would be the "typical thoughts a defensive player (would have) with the ball." And he heeded his own advice, going 69 yards for a touchdown on that play. He added a fumble recovery later and earned MVP honours as Seattle beat Mannings Denver Broncos 43-8 for the Seahawks first NFL championship. At no moment during Sundays action did Smith think he would take home the award. His teammates did. "Even during the game," Smith recalled, "guys were like, You might be MVP. And I was like, No way. No way. Not me. But to be here, its just pretty cool." Smith is not one of those players who long ago seemed destined to wind up getting the keys to a new vehicle the day after the Super Bowl, a sponsors prize for the big games best player. Coming out of college at Southern California -- where he was coached by the Seahawks current boss, Pete Carroll -- Smith wasnt invited to the NFL combine, where top prospects are measured and evaluated. Then, when the 2011 draft rolled around, he wasnt taken until the seventh round, the 242nd player chosen. Seems to fit right in with the Seahawks, more than a third of whom werent even drafted at all. "He didnt like it, but he had to go in the seventh round. Hes proven otherwise, just like a lot of other guys in our program," Carroll said. "I think it was extraordinary last night to see Jermaine Kearse score a touchdown, and Doug Baldwin score a touchdown, and Malcolm gets in the end zone and scoops up another fumble," he continued. "Guys that are not the heralded guys coming in competed in our program and found a way to contribute in enormous ways." By way of explaining in a euphoric locker room Sunday night why he was an appropriate choice for an MVP from these Seahawks, Smith said: "Im just fortunate to be a part of it, fortunate to get opportunities. Im happy to be amongst a bunch of guys that play with attitudes and chips on their shoulders. Im happy to represent that." He went on: "You might have been overlooked. You might feel like you can make plays and never got the opportunity." Truth is, the Seahawks were the lucky ones. Because even though Smith was not supposed to be a starter this season, a player with zero interceptions in his first two years in the league, he always was ready when called upon. Pegged mainly as a special teams guy, Smith earned notice with his speed and ability to handle both outside linebacker slots. When Bruce Irvin was suspended for four games in May for violating the leagues policy on performance-enhancing substances, it was Smith who filled in as a starter. When Bobby Wagner was sidelined, and K.J. Wright slid over to middle linebacker, Smith got another opportunity to start. And when Wright broke his right foot late in the season, guess who Seattle called upon: Yep, Smith, of course. Then suddenly, on Sunday, there he was at the Super Bowl, in the right place and right time, as usual. It was Smith who wound up with the victory-sealing interception at the end of Seattles NFC championship game victory two weeks ago, grabbing the football after Richard Sherman deflected a pass in the end zone. And then, in the biggest game of all, Smiths pick-6 off a fluttering ball -- after teammate Cliff Avril made contact with Manning during the throw -- made it 22-0 late in the first half Sunday, and Seattle was on its way. "I was like, Again!? No way. I didnt believe it," Smith said. He grabbed a fumble later, too, capping quite a late-season surge. "Ive always just been taught to run to the ball and good things will happen for me," Smith said. "I played running back as a kid, so its always been the most exciting thing to have the ball in my hands." Trevor Siemian Vikings Jersey . -- A.J. Burnett was happy to escape from New York. Sheldon Richardson Vikings Jersey . Both sides of the deal have formally announced acquisitions: TFC introduced Jozy Altidore as a designated player on Friday, while their counterparts announced a three-and-a-half-year deal with Jermain Defoe. http://www.officialauthenticvikingsshop.com/authentic-brian-oneill-jersey.html . Neither side would publicly confirm or deny any discussions were taking place, until the near unexpected happened. On Saturday night sources confirmed to TSN, the league and players agreed to terms on a new, tentative CBA, pending ratification by the unions players. A league source confirmed the CFLs board of governors must also ratify any potential agreement. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Pro Bowlers Cam Newton and Greg Hardy will be ready to practice when the Carolina Panthers take the field for the start of training camp Friday night. The same cant be said of often-injured running back Jonathan Stewart. Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said Newton has been cleared medically following ankle surgery on March 19 and is expected to participate in all drills -- which comes as great news for coach Ron Rivera, who is returning from a European vacation. "Cam will participate full go and we will monitor just to make sure," Rivera said. "He will go through treatments to make sure, in terms of maintenance, but he is starting day one and will be on the field." Newton was not made available for interviews Thursday. Rivera said Newton recently worked with some of Carolinas receivers away from team facilities and came away feeling good about his surgically repaired ankle. "Im pretty excited about having him back on the field full time with those guys," Rivera said. Gettleman said Hardy, convicted on two counts of domestic violence last week, will not face any suspension from the Panthers at this time. He said the team will follow the leagues stance and let the legal process play out. "We constantly talk to our players about putting themselves in a position to succeed both on the field and even more importantly in life, so what has happened with Greg is very concerning and very disappointing," Gettleman said in the teams first public comments on Hardy since his conviction July 16. "These are very serious allegations," the GM said. "At the same time, we also respect the fact that Greg has appealed the decision and is entitled to a jury trial. We have been in touch with the league and were in the position that they have a personal conduct policy, which we are a part of. At the same time, we have to respect the legal process. TThats basically where were at. Sheldon Richardson Jersey. " Hardy appealed the conviction last week after a judge sentenced him to a 60-day suspended jail sentence and 18 months probation for assault on a female and communicating threats. His appeal will be heard by a jury trial, but a date has not been set and it could be several months -- likely after the completion of the NFL season and would become a free agent -- before the case is heard in court. Hardy, who signed Carolinas franchise tag tender for $13.1 million, is a key player on the leagues No. 2-ranked defence. He had a career-high 15 sacks last season and has 26 sacks over the past two seasons. Gettleman said Hardys arrest in May did not play a role in the teams decision not to offer him a long-term contract. However, Gettleman wouldnt discuss Hardys long-term future with the team. Hardys teammates said they dont believe his off-the-field issues will be a distraction moving forward as the Panthers prepare to defend their NFC South title. "Its completely separate from anything were doing here," tight end Greg Olsen said. Stewart, who missed 17 games the past two seasons, pulled a hamstring recently in workouts and will miss 1-2 weeks. Gettleman also said offensive guard Edmund Kugbila, a former fourth-round draft pick, will have back surgery and will miss the entire season. The Panthers had high hopes for Kugbila when they draft him but hes not played a game for Carolina since coming into the league. Gettleman said safety Tre Boston (hernia) and cornerback De-Andre Pressley (stress fracture) will start training camp on the physically unable to perform PUP list. The Panthers went 12-4 last season but lost to San Francisco in the divisional playoffs. "To get that far and to lose, especially at home, was a tough pill to swallow," Olsen said. "Its disappointing, but its over. ... We are trying to get to where we were." Cheap Chargers Jerseys Cheap Rams Jersey Cheap Dolphins Jerseys Cheap Vikings Jerseys