Rookie CB Shields Wins Super Bowl Title

ARLINGTON, Texas – Sam Shields couldn’t explain how he felt Sunday night. Being undrafted as a rookie after switching positions in college from receiver to cornerback and getting injured in the biggest game of his life to winning Super Bowl XLV, there were multiple emotions running through the Sarasota native’s mind as he addressed the media following Green Bay’s, 31-25, victory over Pittsburgh.

“I’ve been through a lot,” he said. “I came in and just learned the position and things like that. It’s a blessing to me.”

Shields, who recorded two tackles in the win, injured his shoulder early in the game and eventually saw action again in the third quarter. He, along with veteran defensive back Charles Woodson, both missed lengthy portions of the contest due to injury.

“I thought something popped out,” he said. “I went back in and got x-rayed and everything was fine. It was sharp but I had to get in there and try to help my team out. I was still feeling my shoulder out to see what was going on but I said forget it. My team needed me so I wanted to go out there and help out.

“We just stuck together. We’ve been through it throughout the season and everybody had to step up. Whoever was behind somebody they had to step up and make a play.”

It was difficult for the Booker High School alum to sit on the sidelines and watch Green Bay drop their commanding, 21-10, first half lead. True to Packers tradition, which Shields mentioned in the post-game press conference, the cornerback told himself he needed to be on the field at Cowboys Stadium and not useless on the sidelines.

“I tell you, the guys are resilient,” Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers said of his unit. “We got three takeaways and ended up putting 21 points on the board. We lost Charles Woodson and Sam Shields, a big part of our defense, and we really had to adjust in the second half. It was tough. We were scrambling there for a while, because a big part of our game plan went out the window.”

One season under his belt and he already has hardware to prove his worth in the league. He’s come along way from being an undrafted free agent.