Jamaican player revels in another Superbowl triumph

BY DANIA BOGLE Observer staff reporter

Thursday, February 16, 2012

SOME football players have had careers spanning decades and have never reached the pinnacle of their sport — the Superbowl — so for one player to have done it twice in a six-year span and earned the coveted ring both times is quite an achievement.

That is the legacy of New York Giants guard and offensive tackle Kevin Boothe. Boothe was part of the Giants team that won Superbowl titles in 2008 and earlier this month — both times against the New England Patriots.

"It's a great feeling, something that I'll cherish for the rest of my life," Boothe told the Observer recently.

Born in New York City to Jamaican parents, Pattreca and Charles, Boothe moved to Florida with his family, including older brother Charles Jr, when he was three years old.

He returned to New York to attend Cornell University where he majored in hotel management.

Boothe was drafted in 2006 by the Oakland Raiders. However, at the end of that season the Raiders changed coaches and Boothe was told he didn't fit into the team's plans.

It was a disappointment that would not last long. Within 24 hours he was picked up by the Giants.

"That was a very humbling experience, but it changed very quickly when I realised that I would be going to the New York Giants," Boothe said.

A year later he would win the first of his two Superbowl rings.

"That's crazy, especially seeing that it was only my second season in the NFL. I hadn't known too much about the game yet and to go on that trip to the play-offs and to beat the Patriots who were undefeated at the time in one of the biggest upsets of 2008 that was a very special moment," the father of one said.

That victory in 2008, however, was a bitter-sweet one for the Boothe family. Boothe's father died a few days after the 17-14 victory over the Patriots in Phoenix.

"I know he knew that we were there and that we had won because he is an avid football fan and he was following my games," Boothe said.

Added mother Pattreca: "That year he (Kevin) didn't go to the parade, so it was really nice that he was able to go to the parade this year."

Boothe explained further: "It's amazing. We had a very up-and-down season where not many people thought we would make the play-offs and I feel like once we got into the play-offs everybody expected us to lose, so it was a great feeling to go out and win.

"We were confident. We knew if we played well enough we could beat anybody, and that's what basically happened."

His mother said Boothe was always determined to play football.

"He's always wanted to be a football player as long as I can remember. My older son is 10 years older than him and played football and at 10 years old Kevin knew more football than his brother," she said.

Boothe's mother, who was raised in Beckford Kraal, Clarendon, said she was never worried about her son taking on a sport which can at times be hazardous to one's health.

"He is very conscious of what he does and what he wants; that's the kind of child he was. He always knew what he wanted. He is a good kid and I'm really happy for him," she added.

Boothe, who lives in northern New Jersey during most of the season, said he will be spending the next few weeks at home with his wife Rosalie, who is expecting their second child in late March.

The pair, who has been married for three years, has been together since their days at Cornell. Interestingly, his wife is from Boston, the home of the Patriots. Boothe, however, said she became a Giants fan right after he joined the team.

He said his brother, in whose footsteps he has followed, has proven to be one of his biggest fans.

"He was definitely an influence and one of the reasons I enjoyed the game so much. He has been very supportive and he has been a tremendous help throughout my career," he said.

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Jamaican player revels in another Superbowl triumph