After practicing for a second straight day, Percy Harvin talked to reporters, saying, “I feel good. It’s good to get back out there with my guys.”
Harvin knows as well as anyone how odd his situation is. Because of a hip injury, then a concussion, he has played in just six quarters this season, yet now he’s healthy and could have a big impact on the most important game of the year.
“Man, it’s been a rollercoaster, but it’s all been a blessing,” he said. “I wouldn’t take anything back that’s happened this year. It’s made me a stronger person. It’s definitely been frustrating. For a lot of people, not only myself. For my teammates, Doug, some of the guys who play my positions, coming in and out not knowing if I’m going to be at practice. So it was definitely frustrating, but it’s all over with now, and we get a chance to play in the Super Bowl, so that’s all in the past.”
On the support of his teammates, “I can’t even put it in words… I’m very grateful for my teammates, words can’t express how those guys have been there for me.”
After Harvin took several hard hits against New Orleans, some wondered if the Saints were targeting the receiver, but like Pete Carroll said last week, Harvin said he didn’t think that was the case.
“No, it was just playing football,” he said. “It was unfortunate, some of the hits, but I didn’t think they were targeting me, just playing football.”
On watching almost the entire season, Harvin said, “Frustrating, that’s the word I’d use. This whole year, watching every single game was frustrating, but having great teammates and great coaches, it was good to be on the sideline watching those guys perform; guys like Doug, Kearse, to watch those guys make big plays and perform, it was good.”
Asked if he felt pressure to have a big game Sunday because he has had so little impact after signing a contract that included $25.5 million in guaranteed money, Harvin said, “Not at all. I’m a football player, I’m confident in my game. It was unfortunate situations that happened, life, things I couldn’t control, but I don’t look at money or anything to that degree, I just want to get on the field and help my team win.”
And asked if he sees this game as a chance to save a lost season, Harvin said, “I’m not trying to save any season. I’m trying to go out there and win a Super Bowl. I’m not trying to save or be hero or anything, I’m going out there to prepare to play a game the way I know how to play it.”
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