New York Giants placekicker Lawrence Tynes answers questions during media day for the NFL's Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Arizona January 29, 2008.
(REUTERS/Jeff Topping)
PHOENIX (Reuters) - Kicker Lawrence Tynes, who will become the first Briton to play in the Super Bowl when he takes the field against the unbeaten New England Patriots on Sunday, relishes an opportunity to win it all for his New York Giants.
"I would bet on me," said Scottish-born Tynes when asked about the prospects of a game-winning field goal try in Super Bowl XLII at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Tynes put the Giants into the NFL championship game when he booted a 47-yard field goal in overtime through the frigid air of Green Bay for a 23-20 victory in the NFC title game after muffing two fourth-quarter chances.
"For me to be the first Scot to play in the Super Bowl is an honor," Tynes, 29, told reporters on Thursday.
Tynes, son of a Navy SEAL (special operations forces) and a Scottish mother, left Scotland at age 10 when his family moved to Florida but he still has supporters in Britain.
"My Aunt Theresa, my Aunt Mary, My Aunt Jeanne and all my cousins, my Uncle Jamesy -- they'll all be watching," Tynes said. "I'll be e-mailing once we get done and we're holding the trophy, hopefully."
Tynes's hold on his job with the Giants was tenuous after some bad misses earlier in the season but perseverance is his hallmark. He made his way from a small U.S. college, NFL Europa and the Canadian Football League to reach the NFL.
"It's been fun. I wouldn't change it for the world," said Tynes, an alumnus of Troy State (Alabama), the Scottish Claymores and the Ottawa Roughriders among others.
Tynes has had his share of struggles both personal and professional.
His older brother Mark, with whom he keeps in close touch, is in jail sentenced to 27 years for drugs trafficking.
His pre-season preparations had to take a back seat this season so he could support his wife, Amanda, who had a difficult pregnancy before giving birth prematurely to twins, Caleb and Jaden, now six months old.
Tynes became the toast of New York after his game-winning kick two weeks ago and hopes the magic lasts one more game.
"It is the biggest game of my career but if you prepare yourself like we do as professional athletes and you have confidence in what you're doing you shouldn't feel pressure.
"You feel pressure if you feel unprepared. I feel like I'm prepared."
(Editing by Clare Lovell)
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