MIAMI – Marvin Washington sat alone on some crates in front of the first-base dugout during Super Bowl XXXIII Media Day at Pro Player Stadium yesterday. The sun beamed on his No. 95 Broncos jersey and reflected off the silver sunglasses he wore.
Most of Washington’s teammates either had their own podium for interviews or were surrounded by reporters with inquiring minds, pads, pencils, recorders and TV cameras in hand. Washington, soaking in every moment of his first Super Bowl, could have cared less about his anonymity.
Washington, in his 10th NFL season and a survivor of four failed Jets’ head coaches and a litany of losing seasons in New York, spoke like a guy who’s gleefully enjoying his place this week more than most because of the footall hell he went through with the Jets.
“I think I appreciate it more,” Washington said. “In New York, I went through so many coaches, the clock was ticking on me there. You can go through only so any coaches who like you.”
Bill Parcells cut Washington during training camp in 1997 and it was the best thing that ever happened to him. He played a year with the 49ers in San Francisco and ended up in Denver via free agency.
Now, calling himself “a Super Bowl virgin,” Washington said, “I was hoping at some point I’d be here, but I didn’t know if it’d come.”
Washington, who rotates in on the Denver DL and contributed a playoff sack of Dan Marino three weeks ago, talked about playing with future Hall of Fame DE Chris Doleman last season and knowing how badly Doleman, arguably one of the dominant defensive players of his era, wanted to play in a Super Bowl.
He, too, talked about former Jet teammate Kyle Clifton, who played 13 years without missing a game and never got to a Super Bowl.
“Every player in the NFL should get to experience a Super Bowl,” Washington said.