by PETE SCHLEHR, SID Emeritus

The NFC champion Carolina Panthers are off to Super Bowl 50 and much to his own amazement, former Tiger All-American Ryan Delaire is going with them.

A two-time All-CAA choice who recorded 32 tackles for loss, 22.5 sacks and five forced fumbles in his two years with Towson after transferring from UMass, Delaire is the fourth Tiger to play in a Super Bowl, following punter Sean Landeta, running back David Meggett and offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod.

"Quite honestly, it's a blessing," says the 6-4, 265 pound defensive end. "I never thought it could happen so soon simply because there are players who are in the league 10, 15 years and never get a chance to go to the Super Bowl. So for me it's an awesome opportunity."

Delaire, a late bloomer who first played football in his senior year at Windsor High School in Bloomfield, Conn., had to climb over some humps on his way up to football's ultimate stage. He pulled up lame in his 40-yard dash that ended his stay at last year's NFL scouting combine. That early exit probably dashed his hopes of being drafted. He redeemed himself later when 25 scouts from 23 NFL teams attended Towson's Pro Day. That led to his signing as an undrafted free agent with Tampa Bay.

After spending the entire 2015 offseason and up to the last week of the preseason with Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers let Delaire go on the final cut. The Washington Redskins then added him to their practice squad. Three weeks later the Panthers, looking to fill a pass rushing void created by injuries, snatched him up.

"I've had to stay positive, just understanding that I am here or I'm there for a reason," says Delaire. "Luckily the Panthers have given me an opportunity here. From this point on I'm just trying to make my way, giving everything I have on the field in both practice and in games and in meetings. It's important also at this level to work at being a good person, having a positive relationship with everyone in the organization. I'm trying to soak it all up and take in all the advice I'm given."

Just prior to his signing with the Panthers, Carolina also acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bears five-time Pro Bowl selection and pass rusher extraordinaire Jared Allen whose career 136 sacks lead all active NFL players.

"I knew coming in that they had signed Jared," says Delaire, "but I viewed it as a blessing because I'd be able to learn from him."

Delaire, who earned his degree in Health Care Management and Administration, went into quick study mode. He was declared ready to play in his first week with the Panthers, who were preparing to face the same Buccaneer outfit that had cut him a month earlier. To the absolute delight of Carolina's coaching staff, and perhaps to the dismay of the Bucs, Delaire, in his very first regular season NFL contest, sacked quarterback Jameis Winston twice. He had him in the grasp just missing a third sack. He also contributed a tackle for a loss in the Panthers' 37-23 win.

For his performance Delaire was awarded a game ball.

"Yeah, I got a game ball; that was crazy," says Delaire. "I didn't expect that at all but it was most definitely helpful for me to have a game like that right off the bat."

Delaire, who finished the regular season with eight tackles and 2.5 sacks (Allen was credited with 2.0 sacks), plays a support role. His snap count depends on who's injured and who's healthy.

"I'm not exactly sure what they're going to do with me in the Super Bowl because the person they had me come in for is back, he's healthy," says Delaire who wears No. 91. "So now I'm off the bench as usual. Against the Cardinals I played because of an injury to another player."

Like all the Panthers Delaire is looking forward to arriving in northern California on Sunday and settling in. "The plan is for us to take care of the media thing and all the hoopla early in the week," says Delaire, "and then it's just football, all that other stuff is out the window."

Most of the media attention will fall on the league's likely MVP, quarterback Cam Newton whose playful personality has helped to elevate him as the NFL's most visible player.

"Cam is a great guy," says Delaire. "He's a very positive guy with a terrific sense of humor, and that's good because there's not this seriousness all the time. There's no question that he leads this team. He always has motivational speeches before the game and at halftime. He's a person that definitely makes his presence known."