SB XLVI Champ Will Blackmon back in RI

(WPRI) - The New England Patriots lost a tough game to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, but what you may not know is that Giants Kick Returner Will Blackmon is a Rhode Island native.

Today, the Ocean State is welcoming Will home, and he joined the Rhode Show to discuss how it feels to be a world champion.

"It's unbelievable... it's unreal. During the week prior to the Super Bowl I was telling my dad that it is crazy that we've been watching the Super Bowl since I was born, just to watch it and see the festivities, and to now be a part of it, it's unbelievable, it's crazy."

Blackmon attended Bishop Hendricken High School, and went on to play football for Boston College. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft.

He said it was actually a relief to win the Super Bowl, since it's been a stressful career for him so far due to various injuries. He was actually dropped by the Packers in 2010 and missed out on their Super Bowl victory that year.

After being let loose by the Packers, he was signed by the Giants, but was put on injury reserve in Jan. 2011.

"I had to get my knee completely redone... told that I wasn't gonna play that year."

He said it was fine though, since he would rather hear that news be told he could never play again.

After months of difficult rehab, he was put back on the roster in November, and three months later the Giants went on to win the Super Bowl.

Blackmon will attend pep rallies at Esek Hopkins Middle School and at Hendricken on Thursday. He said he has plenty of advice for the youths attending his former schools, since he was once just like them.

"You're gonna go through adversity for sure. It's not gonna be easy, I worked hard and ended up being able to reach my goal and my dream."

Also on Thursday he will be given a key to the city of Providence in a ceremony with Mayor Angel Taveras.

Since he has "401 in his blood," he said he feels very blessed to be honored like that in his hometown.