Utica's Smith contributes to Super Bowl win

MIAMI, Feb. 7 -- The biggest hit Will Smith made on Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was a block that sprung Tracy Porter whose 74-yard interception return put the New Orleans Saints ahead for good in a 31-17 win in the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Smith, who grew up in Utica, was a defensive captain for the big game and he earned an NFL championship to go with the NCAA National Championship he earned at Ohio State University. 

Through the game, many of his former Thomas R. Proctor teammates watched intensely they and celebrated afterward. 

"He's a winner," former teammate Ramel Lockwood said. "He won at the two biggest levels. And, when he wins, it's like we all won." 

The block ahead of Porter was an example of the things Smith's former quarterback in high school, Alvin Morrison, said he remembers about the former all-state selection. 

"It's not just the big plays, it's the little ones like that too," he said. "He does whatever it takes."  

The win served as an example of perseverance. The city of New Orleans persevered through a devastating hurricane, quarterback Drew Brees persevered through a career threatening shoulder injury, and Smith persevered through the death of his mother at a young age and the murder of one of his best friends when he was in college. 

"It means, no matter how hard things are, you always have a chance," Lockwood said. "He proves that." 

The Saints outscored the Colts 25-7 in the second half.

Porter's touchdown, a 74-yard sprint after picking off a Peyton Manning pass, came with 3:12 remaining in the game, killing a potential game-tying Colts drive.

Garrett Hartley kicked field goals of 46, 44 and 47 yards for New Orleans, which took the championship in its first Super Bowl appearance.

"We just believed in ourselves," Brees, who was named the game's MVP, said. "We knew that we had an entire city, maybe an entire country behind us. I'm trying to imagine what this moment would be like for a long time. It's even better than expected."

New Orleans and Indianapolis, the top seeds in their conferences, both finished the season with 16-3 records.