Undrafted Rookie Sam Shields was Hero of the Game

Throughout the playoffs it was the studious Tramon Williams coming up with huge picks against the opponents, but in the NFC Championship it was rookie Sam Shields -- not once but twice.

With Chicago driving at the end of the game, trying to, at the least, tie the game up, on a fourth-down pass Shields came down with the pick yards away from the end zone to seal the Packers' victory.

"I just played my responsibility got my head around the ball, and I attacked the ball just like a receiver do and, you know, interception!" Shields said humbly when we caught up with him in the locker room.

He also had a big interception to stop a Chicago drive cold just before halftime.

Did he ever imagine, as an undrafted free agent, to have a major play in the NFC Championship game his rookie year?"Never thought this. Been a receiver all my life, then coming to the Green Bay Packers and being a corner, making plays, it was a dream come true."

Tramon Williams made himself a household name -- at least among opponents. Now it's Shields's turn in the limelight.

"I take it as being patient. The plays don't come, and that's something I continue to do. His plays came, some other guys' plays came, I guess my play came tonight. It's just being patient, that's it."

And patience does pay off. Shields had two interceptions all season long. He matched that Sunday in a big game.

He played receiver all throughout college, made that switch just before his senior year at Miami. He's come in and made an impact.
Now the Packers are going to the Super Bowl.

"I don't think it hit me yet," Shields said, "but probably I'll get on that plane, get back home, it's going to hit me. Right now it feels exciting. The guys around me, everybody's excited."



(wbay.com)