Turns out David Tyree was saving up for one game. One really, really big game.

Little more than a special teams player all season, Tyree became an All-Pro in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl.

David Tyree pulls down what will go down in Super Bowl history as one of the best catches ever as the New York Giants drive for the winning score against the New England Patriots.
(Charlie Riedel/Associated Press)

First, he shook loose over the middle to catch a five-yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning that put the New York Giants ahead.

Then Tyree topped himself, making a tumbling, circus grab to set up a last-second score and a 17-14 stunner Sunday night over the mighty New England Patriots.

"That might be one of the great plays of all time in the Super Bowl," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said.

Pretty neat trick for a guy who started the season with a broken wrist and finished with more tackles than catches. And someone who overcame adversity, too — Tyree's mother died of a heart attack in mid-December.

"I think every receiver has to believe he's the best guy out there," Tyree said.

Surrounded by the likes of Randy Moss, Plaxico Burress, Wes Welker and Amani Toomer, he was.

Tyree wound up as a most unlikely go-to guy. And for years to come, Giants fans will surely talk about a most improbable catch.

"That play alone took a few years off my life," New York defensive end Michael Strahan said.

The Giants trailed 14-10 with only 1:15 left when Manning faced a third-and-5 at his own 44. The Patriots brought pressure, and Manning somehow shook loose from two defenders.

Scrambling to his right, he made a desperate, dangerous toss deep down the middle where defensive backs Rodney Harrison and Asante Samuel were lurking. Tyree jumped up and with Harrison on his back, managed to get both hands on the ball.

Harrison fought him the whole way, slapping at the ball and momentarily pinning it to Tyree's helmet. That gave Tyree a chance to get a better grip and as he fell backward, he had the presence to hold the ball aloft to show it was his.

"I just wouldn't let go," he said. "They were trying to say they had the ball. They snatched it," he said.

The 32-yard gain to the New England 24 seemed to startle Harrison and his teammates while the Giants jumped up and down on the sideline.

The Giants quickly called timeout with 59 seconds remaining and four plays later, Manning hit Burress for the winner.

But it was that crazy play by a fifth-year receiver from Syracuse that really thrilled Manning.

"David Tyree, that's all you have to say," Manning said. "It was just a great catch by David Tyree. I found a way to get loose and just really threw it up.

"He made an unbelievable catch and saved the game."