by Maisie Allison
Giants linebacker Chase Blackburn, who picked off a "novena" in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl last night, was about to start working as an eighth-grade math teacher when the Giants asked him back two months ago:
After spending six seasons with the Giants, most in a reserve role, Blackburn and his wife sold their house after he was released before the 2011 season. They moved to Ohio, where he's from, to raise their two young kids. Blackburn was working out whenever he could, sometimes after dark … [and] he was about to become a substitute math teacher. Why? Because his family needed the money. And because his NFL career was over. And then, it wasn't. Two linebackers for the Giants, Michael Boley and Mark Herzlich, were injured Nov. 28 against New Orleans. The next day the Giants called Chase Blackburn in Ohio and asked, "Are you in shape?"
(Photo: Chase Blackburn #93 of the New York Giants intercepts a pass intended for Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots in the second half during Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. By Ezra Shaw/Getty Images.)
The Dish 