GLENDALE, Arizona — Malcolm Butler picked off seven passes, including three in a single game, during his All-American career at the University of West Alabama, but none of them will ever compare to the one he got on Sunday night.

With the Seattle Seahawks within a yard of back-to-back Super Bowl wins, the whole world assumed behemoth running back Marshawn Lynch was going to punch it in for the victory. Instead, quarterback Russell Wilson dropped back to pass and zeroed in on receiver Ricardo Lockette. But Butler, now a New England Patriot, had other plans, shooting in front of Lockette and intercepting the pass at the last possible moment, securing the Patriots’ victory.

Butler’s unlikely journey to the NFL began at Vicksburg High School in Mississippi. He was not a highly-touted recruit, opting to sign with Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi before transferring to the University of West Alabama for his junior and senior years. He went un-drafted in the 2014 NFL Draft, but was picked up by the New England Patriots, who have a well-known history of finding diamonds in the rough. Butler appeared in 11 games during his rookie season, including 1 start.

After the biggest interception of his career — one that the NBC announcers hailed as the NFL’s “play of the year,” Butler was almost speechless at the center of the world’s biggest stage. After all, just months ago he was living in Livingston, Alabama, a town of about 3,500.

“I just had a vision that I was going to make a big play and it came true,” he said. “I’m just blessed. I can’t explain it right now. It all comes with preparation… I just went and made a play. It’s crazy.”

Like this article? Follow me on Twitter and let me know what you think.

— Cliff Sims (@Cliff_Sims) December 3, 2014