David Tyree: From Being Jailed for Drug Possession to Super Bowl Hero

In 2004 things didn't look too good for David Tyree. He was in jail for drug possession after police found half a pound of marijuana in his car. How times have changed! Many consider him the hero of this year's Super Bowl. The wide receiver, who plays mainly on special teams, caught a 32-yard pass from Quarterback Eli Manning to keep a drive alive that eventually led to the winning touchdown. The New York Giants defeated the previously undefeated New England Patriots, 17-14, to win the team's third Super Bowl championship. David Tyree might is not only thrilled to have helped lead his team to victory in the Super Bowl, but the former drug dealer is even more thrilled with the changes in his life since he became a Christian.

David Tyree was not well known before he caught the desperation pass that kept the drive alive for the Giants. After catching the pass, the second round draft pick for the Giants in 2003 was on the cover of Sports Illustrated and appeared on national radio talk shows.

Tyree was not nationally known before becoming a Super Bowl hero, but he had obtained some NFL success-before. In 2005, he was the first Giant to be selected to the Pro Bowl-although not as a receiver-but rather as a special team player. He was the first Giant so chosen since Reyna Thompson in 1990. He was also named one of the most charitable players in the NFL. Earlier in this year's Super Bowl, before he became a hero, he caught a five-yard touchdown pass, his first of the season, from Eli Manning, to help the team to a 10-7 lead.

Things were not always so cheerful for David Tyree before he became a football hero to Giants' fans. He battled alcohol addiction as a player in college at Syracuse. He suffered blackouts. He even became involved in binge drinking. He even woke up naked sometimes, wondering what had just happened in his life.

He says when he went to the NFL, he tried half heartedly to make a commitment to becoming a Christian, but his faith was not genuine. He did not allow God to change his life. He was involved with a lot of women. Money was too important to him. About this time he was arrested.

David Tyree knew he needed to truly become a Christian and allow God to change his life.

"Lord, I need you. I don't know what to do," he prayed, as recorded on the New York Times website. "If you could, I'd appreciate it if you could spare my job."

He found out his wife was pregnant. He began to read her Bible, and for the first time, it made sense.

Things changed. He told the other women in his life he would not be involved with them anymore. He did take a couple of more drinks, but found he did not like alcohol anymore, and quit drinking totally.

He said he had never before been true believer. He hadn't been raised to go to church. His mom was not a Christian.

After David Tyree became a Christian, his sister did too. As she saw the changes in the life of her son, his mom eventually did too. She has since died after having a heart attack. David Tyree now hopes to write a book about the changes in his life.

Tyree says that while the arrest could have been the low point of his life, he now looks on it as the best thing that ever happened to him. The man, who had once smoked marijuana and drank alcohol as a child, was now a sober father.

While he once was involved with alcohol and drugs, today David Tyree is a Super Bowl hero. Tyree is also a dedicated Christian He is also involved with a variety of charities, including Children of the City, which helps children and families of Southwest Brooklyn overcome welfare and poverty.

Citations: Author not listed, Tyree Talks About His Rise From Rock Bottom to Super Bowl Stardom, NewYorkTimes.com