New England Patriots linebacker Akeem Ayers has admitted that he was overwhelmed by excitement in the seconds after his side's Super Bowl win.
The 25-year-old was brought off the field in a substitution to allow Malcolm Butler to take his place, where the cornerback sealed the game-winning interception for the Patriots as he picked off Russell Wilson.
Ayers has revealed that he was the first person onto the pitch to reach Butler and embrace him in celebration.
He told NFL Network: "So I get to the sideline, really right there by the coaches. I see the play - it was hard to tell what happened from my view - and all of a sudden I see everyone jumping around.
"Next thing you know, I'm the first person on the field. I run over there, I tackle him first person on the field. I mean, I was excited."
Ayers joined the Patriots during the season in a trade deal from the Tennessee Titans, but will be a free agent when the league year officially ends in March.
Simon Sinclair
