When Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed and his teammates line up on Sunday to face the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII, they will do so as the visiting team.
But for Reed, that's simply a matter of semantics, as for the first time in his 11-year career, he'll get to play on pro football's biggest stage in a city not far from where he grew up.
"I can't explain it," said the St. Rose, La. native during the Ravens' media session following their arrival in New Orleans on Monday. "To come home, to be in Louisiana in front of the home team, the home crowd, playing for the Super Bowl--I'm just trying to enjoy it."
Reed, who was born on September 11, 1978, played his college football at the University of Miami. After an impressive career that included being named All-American twice, he was the 24th overall draft pick in 2002.
His illustrious NFL career has included nine Pro Bowls and being named as the Associated Press "NFL Defensive Player of the Year" for 2004.
He also is the league's record holder for the longest interception return for a touchdown, 107 yards vs. Philadelphia in 2008; and his 1,541 interception return yards are also tops in the league's record book.
Ironically, it was the very same Superdome field on which Reed will play Sunday where he first made a bit of name for himself athletically as the winner of the 1997 "Punt, Pass & Kick" competition.
"I remember everything," he said of the experience. "Going against Craig Nall and guys like that--guys who played in the league. I was going against quarterbacks. I wound up winning the event, and the winner of the event came to (Super Bowl) Media Day to see guys just interact with (the media)."
This week, Reed, along with the rest of his teammates, can expect to meet with the throngs of media on hand almost every day, where he'll likely face questions about everything from his favorite foods to the game itself, which is being played in the Crescent City for the first time post Hurricane Katrina.
"To be playing in my first Super Bowl in New Orleans--I just want to do this for the city. It's just special," he said.
What would be even more special for Reed, would be to walk off the Mercedes-Benz Superdome field on Sunday evening as a world champion, especially if reports of the 34-year old free safety considering retirement are true.
"That question there was asked a couple days back, about this being my last ride," he said when asked if he would join his teammate, linebacker Ray Lewis, who has already announced plans to retire after the Super Bowl. "I'm not focusing on that right now, so that question is pointless to answer."
Instead he's focused on stopping the 49ers offense, no small task for any defender.
"You've got (quarterback) Colin Kaepernick and you've got a whole bunch of weapons in San Francisco, a great (offensive) line, (receivers) Randy Moss and (Michael) Crabtree, (tight end) Vernon (Davis), (and) my boy (running back) Frank Gore, the best running back I've ever played against," Reed said of the challenges the 49ers offense presents.
Despite all the 49ers' weapons, Reed said he won't adjust how he prepares this week. In fact, the only thing he apparently plans to adjust while he's in town is to slip away to his family's home for a visit.
"Yeah, I'm going to go visit my family," he said with a huge grin. "I'm going to visit my mom. Hopefully I can get some good cooking around here."
Patricia Traina lives in New Jersey and has been an accredited NFL writer for more than 15 years as a member of the New York Giants beat. She has also covered multiple Super Bowls.
