Simon’s stage is Super

Last season he was hurt and watched the game from the sidelines.
Today, Tharold Simon’s biggest stage is the Super Bowl as the Seattle Seahawks face the New England Patriots.
“I am very excited to be on the field,” Simon said. “It is a whole different feeling to be able to play in it and say you were a part of it.
Last year when I was hurt I didn’t really feel a part of it,” he said.
The former Eunice High and LSU star missed his rookie season because of a pair of foot injuries and didn’t play until the seventh game this year.
Simon came up with his first career interception in Seattle’s dominating 24-14 win at Philadelphia in week 14.
He has 10 solo tackles, three assists, three passes defended and a pick so far this year.
Simon suffered a shoulder injury with 15 seconds left in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals.
“I have been battling a lot of nicks and bruises,” he said. “But I am ready.
“I am looking forward to being out there and having fun with my team - I want to experience what they did last year.”
Simon said he gets advice from the other players like Richard Sherman, but will always be grateful for his high school coaches.
“That was my beginning of my journey to where I am now,” Simon said.
“I thank Coach (Paul) Trosclair, coach Mac (John McLemore), Coach P. (Durell Peloquin) and all those guys,” he said.
“They really taught me a lot and they all really wanted the best for me.
“Playing football there is what made me and got me here,” Simon said.
“It was great to play with my team mates like Stuart (Turner), Troy (Godfrey) and Demetrius (Hebert),” he reflected. “It was fun to play high school football with those guys - that helped me to get where I always wanted to be.
“I will always be a Bobcat and once I get the chance, I want to give back to the community, the school and the kids.
“There are kids with a lot of talent in town who one day could be doing better than what I am doing - basketball or football players.
“I want to show them that they can do it too.”
Simon said he is trying to surround himself with the right people to be a positive role model to the younger kids.
“I want the right people in my corner,” Simon said. “I am not saying to ditch your friends but some people you know won’t help you.
“You have to separate yourself from that side and be with the right people who want to succeed in life,” he said.
Simon said while some of his family will be at the game today, there will be a party back in Eunice.
“I know there will be plenty of people there rooting us on,” he said. “It is crazy that we are in the Super Bowl again: back-to-back.”