Hasselbeck shines in glare of spotlight

DEARBORN, Mich. — Days away from the most important football game of his life, 30-year-old Matt Hasselbeck hardly carries himself like someone playing in his first Super Bowl.

Hasselbeck is enjoying the Seahawks' postseason run as much as anyone else, if not more. His light-hearted and snappy personality is finally on display for the nation during Super Bowl Week.

Still, he can be an unknown, unrecognized guy on even the grandest of stages. Hasselbeck had his Super Bowl player credential checked twice by a security guard on his way into a media interview session Sunday night at the team hotel.

Nerves? Anticipation? Excitement? Sure, they're all there. But you'd never know it with Hasselbeck, who quietly has become one of the most engaging and approachable stars in the NFL.

Here's the NFC Pro Bowl starter riding in a car with teammates down the carpool lane on Interstate 90, cracking jokes on the way to Qwest Field for the right to be in the Super Bowl. Just keeping it light and loose, be it in private or public.

"I think it's important to be that way," Hasselbeck said.

Hasselbeck has turned heads with his dry wit, humor and directness during the week leading up to the big game. A few of his best responses to questions:

On the possibility of a lot more Steelers fans at the Super Bowl: "My plea would just be for all the people coming to the Super Bowl that are undecided on who they want to root for, root for us. We could use it. Get loud for us. I don't know if anyone will answer the call, but if you're a Patriots fan, I would think that you have to root for us. Broncos fans, Colts fans, Bengals fans, I would hope that on third down, if you feel like standing up and getting loud for our defense, that would be awesome. We would really love that."

On whether getting to the Super Bowl validates a quarterback's place in NFL history: "That sounds like a question that a bunch of sports reporters sitting around a desk should discuss. I really don't have the answer to that question. I don't know. What I do know is that the more I focus on playing football, the better I play. The better I play, the better I'll do in those kinds of discussions."

On if he would appreciate being in the Super Bowl as much if he hadn't struggled early in his Seahawks career: "Probably not. I appreciate this a great deal. Holding that NFC Championship trophy up last week in front of our crowd, a crowd that at one time wasn't too fond of me, it made it a little bit more special. I'm really proud that it worked out here [in Seattle]. I'm really happy that I get to be the quarterback for this team. I get to play for the Seattle Seahawks, and I feel like I've got great teammates."

Hasselbeck has come a long way since those tough days in 2001 and 2002, his first two seasons in Seattle, when he was booed and serenaded with chants for his backup at the time, Trent Dilfer. He credits his coaches for staying patient, and letting himself believe in coach Mike Holmgren's offense for his success. Now he is a captain and leader of the Seahawks.

He could sit back and revel in his accomplishments — Pro Bowls, franchise passing yardage and completion records, comeback wins and touchdowns — but Hasselbeck is most proud of something else.

"I'd say my relationship with my teammates," he said. "I'd say that is the thing that has improved the most from when I first got here. Part of that comes from just being here and getting to know the guys."

Teammates say Hasselbeck has assumed command in the huddle and learned to trust his receivers.

"He was under a lot of pressure to make plays; and once he realized we were out here to make plays, too, if you let us take some of that burden off you, you're going to be able to play a little more freely," tight end Jerramy Stevens said. "He kind of just took hold of that leadership role this year a little bit more than in the past, and he's flourished in it."

Wide receiver Bobby Engram believes his quarterback will be fine come game time.

"He's not a rah-rah guy; but if he needs to get his point across, he'll get in your face and he'll say what he needs to say," Engram said. "He's just poised and has leadership; that's all we need. We just need him to be himself."

Hasselbeck bio

Height: 6-4. Weight: 223.

Born: Sept 25, 1975, in Westwood, Mass.

College: Boston College.

Draft: 1998 — 6th round (34th pick) by the Green Bay Packers.

Came to Seattle: Part of an exchange of draft picks in 2001.

Personal: Matt married his college sweetheart, Sarah, and has two daughters, Annabelle and Mallory. Matt's father, Don, played tight end in the NFL for nine seasons with the Patriots (1977-83), Raiders (1983), Vikings (1984) and Giants (1985). His younger brother Tim was a backup quarterback for the Giants this season. His youngest brother, Nathanael, attends Boston College and plays wide receiver.

Career postseason statistics
A look at how Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has fared over the years in the playoffs:
Season	Opponent	Result	Comp	Att	Yds	TDs	INTs	Rush	Yds	TDs
2003	Green Bay	L, 33-27	25	45	305	0	1	1	0	0
2004	St. Louis	L, 27-20	27	43	341	2	1	2	26	0
2005	Washington	W, 20-10	16	26	215	1	0	6	21	1
2005	Carolina	W, 34-14	20	28	219	2	0	6	27	0
Career			88	142	1,080	5	2	15	74	1