Brian Waters waited his entire career for an opportunity like the one he encountered Sunday night, only to see his best chance to win a Super Bowl thus far in his illustrious career slip away. Brian Waters
After 11 seasons without so much as winning a playoff game, the former North Texas standout started at guard for the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI.
The New York Giants spoiled Waters' big moment, holding on for a 21-17 win at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Ahmad Bradshaw scored on a 6-yard run in the final minute to seal the win for the Giants.
Waters' appearance in the Super Bowl represented one of the high points of a winding journey for the former Waxahachie standout, who did a little of just about everything for UNT during his career that spanned from 1995-98.
Waters, 34, played tight end and on the Mean Green's defensive line. He led UNT in receptions with 28 and caught four touchdown passes in 1996.
Waters signed with the Cowboys following his career at UNT before landing with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Waters made the transition to playing on the offensive line in the NFL and developed into one of the best guards in the league.
Waters is a six-time Pro Bowler and was named the NFL Man of the Year in 2009, due in large part to the work he does with Brian Waters 54 Foundation. The charity helps low-income children go to college.
Despite the success he enjoyed individually, Waters never played for a successful team.
Kansas City lost all three of its playoff games during Waters' tenure with the Chiefs.
Waters left Kansas City and signed with the Patriots in the offseason.
"You just only get so many opportunities at it, and the further you go in your career, the game can end so quickly," Waters said in the days leading up to the Super Bowl. "This opportunity was presented to me and I felt like it was the best chance for me to get here."
Waters started throughout the season and earned the respect of his new teammates, not to mention another Pro Bowl selection.
"I'm happy for him," backup lineman Nick McDonald said before the game. "Twelve years and he wins his first playoff game this year."
Waters needed just one more win to claim that elusive Super Bowl title that has eluded him his entire career.
The opportunity slipped away on a night New England struggled offensively and scored just seven points in the second half.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com .
