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January 25, 2008

Transcript: Kelly Washington's Friday press conference

On all of the hype of being in the Super Bowl
I think it has just all the tension that is coming with the game, the Super Bowl game, the final game . Whether it be the media, whether it be from friends and family it is just a lot that is going on but I think the veterans are doing a real good job of keeping us focused and the coaching staff really just getting our game plan to us early so we can focus on the game and know our assignments, because when Sunday comes it is just going to be another game.

On whether he’s excited for his first Super Bowl
I am. I am very excited. Again, this is everyone’s dream, to play in a game such as this. There are 30 other teams at home watching us, so it is a gratifying feeling just to know that we have made it this far. All year long we came together and made it to this point so it is definitely a special feeling.

On dealing with so many off the field distractions
We’ve been through the ups and the downs and we’ve been through it as a team and as an organization, together, so that makes us feel good that we stayed together through thick and thin and we’ve made it this far. Again, we know that the coaching staff and the veterans have really led us in the right direction to this point and letting us know that if we stay together, we can make it this far and we have.

On treating the Super Bowl as just another game
I think once the game -- Once the kickoff comes and all the emotions after the first couple of series, it is just a game. It’s just a lot of attention that comes with the Super Bowl, so we’re just trying to get adjusted to that. Once the week comes and we’re starting to practice leading up to the game, then we’ll understand that it’s just a game.

On whether there’s a moment to realize the magnitude of the Super Bowl
I think, with me, it’ll probably happen with the first kickoff or the first kickoff return because [the veterans] say that you’re supposed to close your eyes the first second after you kick the ball off just because of all the cameras and lights, so that’ll be an experience. But I really feel that after kickoff and the first couple of series, all the adrenaline will start to wear off and we’ll just focus on our assignments.

On the importance of special teams
Again, special teams are vital in every game so I know how important it is. I’m just going to be excited that I’ll be one of the first players that runs out on the field and just contributes on the team or special teams play. I’m excited about it and I’m anxious to prepare all week and put that into the game.

On which veterans he’s talked to this week
I’ve been asking Troy Brown a lot. I’m probably bugging him with so many questions that I’ve asked him, just whether it’s how to prepare myself, whether it’s what going on out at the Super Bowl and what can I not expect. He’s doing a good job and guys like [Tedy] Bruschi and a couple of other different guys. We’re just real excited about the opportunity and the experience.

On the best piece of advice he’s received
The best piece of advice so far I’ve got is don’t eat too much and go into the game overweight. They said that there’s a lot of food out there so you can kind of tend to stray off and eat a little bit more than you should and you don’t want to go into the game overweight. That’s been some good advice and other advice is just to stay focused mentally and don’t get strayed off by outside attention.

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