As Super Bowl week winds down and the biggest game of his career draws near, Earl Thomas is soaking it all in and there’s no place else in the world he would rather be.
But with Sunday’s Super Bowl XLVIII clash with the Denver Broncos looming, the Seattle Seahawks’ All-Pro safety admitted this week that he hasn’t quite let the gravity of the situation sink in.
“It really hasn’t hit me yet,” Earl said. “Everything just feels like a blur, but I’m enjoying it. Maybe after the game, whatever happens, it will hit me.”
As the week blurs by, ET III he is enjoying every second of playing out a lifelong dream that only a fraction of NFL players experience. But throughout the unmatched hoopla, he is also keeping his focus on Sunday.
“Balance is key,” ET said. “I have my daughter down here, and when I’m not in it, I’m with her. You need that family spirit. Also, it’s a time to lock in. But you just want to keep having fun. Even in practice, laugh as much as possible.”
With seemingly endless media sessions, gatherings and appearances on his schedule throughout the week, keeping a routine is more of a challenge than it would normally be.
S/O to @Microsoft for my new surface. Everyone will see my experience at the Super Bowl through my eyes #Surface pic.twitter.com/sgQggMlAwZ
— Earl Thomas (@Earl_Thomas) January 27, 2014
Thanks to Microsoft @Surface for helping me capture the moment. Even Coach Carroll can’t take his eyes of this thing pic.twitter.com/S31s6PjHlc
— Earl Thomas (@Earl_Thomas) January 28, 2014
My bro @Earl_Thomas is loving this surface right now hahaha… Never seen him film so much @Microsoft .. pic.twitter.com/p3IWLIc8oq
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) January 28, 2014
Great afternoon of battling @knowshonmoreno on #XboxOne. We’ll do it again Sunday on the field! #spon pic.twitter.com/rttnI8lEaf
— Earl Thomas (@Earl_Thomas) January 29, 2014
Visited the Flight 23/Footaction Store in NY City & ran into the big homie @carmeloanthony #JordanFamily @Jumpman23 pic.twitter.com/KviaQ2HgR7
— Earl Thomas (@Earl_Thomas) February 1, 2014
But ET III trusted in the old clichés, taking the week one day and one step at a time, as though the game on Sunday isn’t the biggest he’s ever played in.
“I’m just doing my normal routine I’ve been doing all year,” No. 29 said during Tuesday’s Media Day. “I don’t let any game get bigger than what it is. I know what is at stake as far as the Super Bowl and everything that comes along with it, but it’s just football at the end of the day to me.”
The frenzy associated with playing in the Super Bowl isn’t one that can be anticipated without prior experience. But ET does have a similar experience to draw from, dating back to his sophomore season in college when his Texas Longhorns played against Alabama for the BCS National Championship.
“I try to go back and see what kind of got me out of whack [then] because it’s not normal,” he said. “I learned a lot from that experience, and I’m going to definitely apply it to this experience.”
Earl promises to approach this challenge with added poise and a greater grasp on his emotions.
“I’ve been preparing my heart and all the feelings I need to play, and not just the day of the game. As soon as we won the last game, I started preparing my work for this game. So, I’m really excited. You don’t need to have anybody tell you any motivational stuff. Just the pure opportunity to be in the Super Bowl and all the fans and everybody just watching you – this is a blessing.”
Earl can also gaze back at the four years between that game and this one. His stay in Seattle has been incredibly rewarding already, and much of that is thanks to the Seahawks’ 12th man. With the help of Jordan Brand, he’ll be taking some of those fans with him onto the field Sunday.
The 12s showed ET the weight of this Super Bowl experience before he even arrived in New York, when the Hawks ventured cross-country after a benevolent send-off from the 12s.
“It’s a great feeling, great atmosphere,” ET said shortly after he arrived for the Super Bowl festivities. “Obviously, when I got off the plane, I was in shock. I saw all the fans and the police and the fire department out there and just the excitement of the fans back home. They showed us out today. The young kids, you saw them. As a player and competitor, you love to see a little one-year-old in your jersey. You just feed off of that because they all look up to you. It’s just a great time to show, especially when God put you on a platform like this.”
Many Seahawks fans have made the cross-country trip to New York for the game and can be sure Earl has noticed their support during his time around the city.
Nothing better than walking around NY City & seeing so much Blue and Green!!! I can’t express how much the support means to us!!! #12thMan
— Earl Thomas (@Earl_Thomas) January 29, 2014
But the time for enjoying the experience is winding down and game time is just hours away. Greatness within their grasp, Earl and the Seahawks are focused on bringing a championship back home to Seattle.
“We play this sport to be competitors, and as competitors, second place – we don’t have any room for that,” Earl said. “That’s why we are not just excited to be here. We want to win.”
Hey Earl congrats on your big win God is truly awesome! Continue to put God first and your Family I’m praying for you on your journey keep up the great work and the fruit is very proud of you!
Orange Texas is so proud of you.
Congratulations Earl, you make us here in West Orange very proud! Met your Dad the other day and he sure seems to be a fine fellow, easy to see where you get your manners and such from! Again Congratulations on the Super Bowl Victory!
Congrats!!