Sarasota Native Sam Shields Vying for Super Bowl Title with Green Bay Packers

ARLINGTON, Texas – Sam Shields only played cornerback for one season at the University of Miami, but it was enough for the Green Bay Packers to sign him as an undrafted rookie free agent last year.

Their decision came full circle in the NFC Championship Game against Chicago two weeks ago when Shields, a Sarasota native, became the first rookie to record two interceptions and a sack in a playoff game since sacks became official in 1982.

“It gave me confidence coming into this game, knowing what I’m supposed to do which is go out there and make plays,” he said. “That’s what I have to continue to keep doing what I did in the Chicago game going forward.”

Since switching his position in college he’s taken heat about not living up to the hype at Miami, something he’s brushed off. Trying to win a Super Bowl Sunday against Pittsburgh is just another form of pressure he’s assimilated to this week.

The 5-11, 184-pound Booker High School graduate said he didn't think twice about switching to the opposite side of the ball.

“Not at all,” he said. “The thing was that we had a lack of cornerbacks and they wanted me to come out over there. That’s what I did to help the team. It wasn’t that I was dropping balls at wide receiver. It was a lack of cornerbacks at the other side. I just felt like I could go out and help the team. I feel that I could do that at another position. Being receivers, we always think that we can be cornerbacks. I used to joke that, “Man, I can cover you.”

With veteran defensive back Charles Woodson a few locker room stalls away, Shields has had a built in text book to learn from all season.

“Fast – like lightning,” Woodson said, describing the rookie. “After being around him for a couple of days and working with him during training camp you could see a guy – he really came in with a ton of confidence already. You could see that he had no fear out there on the field. He didn’t mind taking chances or going out there making plays. That was a big plus for him and catching the eye of our coaches and making the team.”

Shields will cover Steelers receiver Mike Wallace Sunday, a battle of two fast athletes and another test for a player primed on overcoming odds.

 “It’s going to be a big challenge, but that’s what we like,” he said.