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." 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." Jose Cruz Jr. Jersey . And theyre pointing to the NHLs biggest market: Toronto. With Gretzky paid out for what is believed to be $7 to 8 million, Gretzky may be eager to get back into the NHL and TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports that the Maple Leafs are very much interested in The Great Ones services. Ivan Rodriguez Jersey . The former world No. 1 Djokovic, who is the top seed here despite being ranked No. 2, snuck past 35-year-old Czech showman Radek Stepanek in four high- quality sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-5), on Centre Court. Djokovic appeared relieved when he converted on his first match point by swatting a cross-court forehand winner that just caught the line to end an affair that featured only two service breaks. http://www.customastrosjersey.com/custom-mike-cuellar-jersey-large-816y.html . Mike Babcock has turned to the Montreal Canadiens goalie over Roberto Luongo, who backed Canada to a gold medal in Vancouver in 2010, for Canadas final preliminary round game against the ailing Finns. Myles Straw Jersey . - While a fast-paced offence has become more of a fixture in recent years, the San Antonio Spurs can still grind out games when needed. Abraham Toro Jersey . Its a blessing and a burden for nine sons of former NHL players who are all expected to be taken in the first four rounds of the draft this weekend.Paris, France (SportsNetwork.com) - Eight-time champion Rafael Nadal and last years runner-up David Ferrer were a pair of easy winners Saturday at the French Open. The world No. 1 great Nadal improved to 3-0 lifetime against Leonardo Mayer by handling the Argentine 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 on the Spaniards beloved red clay at Court Chatrier. Nadal is now 62-1 lifetime at Roland Garros, where hes won four straight and eight of the last nine titles. He beat Ferrer in last years all-Spanish finale and has won his last 31 matches overall at this Parisian major. The 27-year-old Nadal is trying to become the first man to win five straight French Open titles. The reigning French and U.S. Open champions fourth-round opponent will be talented Serb Dusan Lajovic. The fifth-seeded Ferrer, meanwhile, got past 32nd-seeded Italian Andreas Seppi 6-2, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 on Day 7. Ferrer posted his 35th win at Roland Garros, one shy of Alex Corretja for the second-most by a Spaniard at this clay-court Grand Slam, and continued his dominance of Seppi, beating the Italian for the seventh time in as many meetings without dropping a set. Ferrer, like Nadal, did not lose a set in Week 1 in Paris. Seppi fell to 6-64 all-time against top-10 players, including only one win in his last 50 tries. Ferrer will next play Kevin Anderson. The 19th-seeded South African slugger earnned a spot in the round of 16 when Croatias Ivo Karlovic retired with an apparent back injury after dropping the first set 6-3.dddddddddddd Anderson has matched his best showing at a Grand Slam. Last year, he became the first South African man to reach the fourth round at the French Open since Wayne Ferreira in 1996. Flashy Frenchman Gael Monfils, seeded 23rd, posted an upset by tackling 14th- seeded Italian Fabio Fognini 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, 0-6, 6-2, while the aforementioned Lajovic moved into the round of 16 by defeating American Jack Sock 6-4, 7-5, 6-3. The 83rd-ranked Lajovic is playing in only his second major tournament. He lost in the second round to Japans Kei Nishikori at the Australian Open in January. "Its my first Roland Garros main draw appearance and first time in the fourth round, so I cant be more happy than this," said Lajovic. "Maybe to play Rafa on Chatrier is one of the biggest dreams and biggest challenges. So for sure its not going to be easy. "You need to have a lot of tips and confidence to beat [Nadal], but I hope to enjoy the match if he wins and to give my best." Also on Saturday, Spaniard Marcel Granollers overcame Slovak Martin Klizan, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 7-6 (7-4), 7-5 and Spains Guillermo Garcia-Lopez outlasted American left-hander Donald Young 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4. ' ' '