Eufaula native Jernigan relishes 'Super' opportunity

This time last year, Jerrel Jernigan knew he would to play in the NFL.

He never guessed that he would play in the Super Bowl as a rookie. Jernigan, a Eufaula native, and the New York Giants will face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 46 this Sunday in Indianapolis. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. CST, and the game will be televised on NBC.

New York earned a Super Bowl berth by defeating the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC title game. The overtime thriller was one of the most memorable playoff games in the last decade.

The win also makes Jernigan the first Eufaulian to ever play on a Super Bowl team. After Giants’ kicker Lawrence Tynes kicked the game-winning 31-yard field goal in overtime, Jernigan was one of the first players to sprint on the field to embrace Tynes. Both players attended Troy along with standout defensive end Osi Umenyiora.

“It still feels like a dream,” Jernigan stated late last week. “When I was drafted last April, I never thought about going to the Super Bowl. Even after we beat the 49ers, it took awhile for it to sink in that we were going to Indy.”

The Giants’ trek to Indianapolis hasn’t been easy. Just six weeks ago, they were 7-7 and on the verge of missing the postseason. But they were able to defeat the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys in the final two weeks of the regular season to earn a wild card playoff berth.

They became the surprise team of the postseason after defeating Atlanta (24-2), defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay (37-20) and San Francisco (20-17) to capture the NFC title. The last two wins came on the road.

Jernigan, who is a kick returner and wide receiver, said the team is playing its best football now.

“We started the season with a lot of injuries, especially on our defense. We are probably the healthiest we have been all season right now,” he said.

“Going into the playoffs, it is all about who is healthy and who is hot. Our team has been hot on all three fronts- offense, defense, and special teams- throughout the playoffs.”

Jernigan, a third round draft pick, said this year has been a “learning experience.” He struggled in the preseason – particularly with fumbles on punt returns – and was inactive for several games early in the year.

His role has expanded in the past two months as he is now a primary kickoff returner. He’s played in eight games and has returned eight kickoffs for a 23.3-yard average.

“It has been a long season, a learning experience,” he said. “I was used to being at Troy where I was involved in a lot of the major plays on offense and special teams.

Read more on this story in the weekend Tribune.