Rewarded for persevering

A path filled with trials, tribulations and setbacks ended with a Super Bowl MVP trophy for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles.

BLOOMINGTON, MINN. — He has traveled a long road: starter and castoff, journeyman and backup. Now Nick Foles stands at the summit of his sport.

How did it happen? Oh, sure, there was the mid-December injury to rising star Carson Wentz, with Foles stepping in and stepping up.

But how, in a breathtaking championship game Sunday night, did this quarterback beat Tom Brady at the fivetime Super Bowl winner’s specialty, a shootout?

For Foles — and for his Philadelphia Eagles — there is one underlying theme to it all: perseverance.

“The big thing is don’t be afraid to fail,” Foles, the Super Bowl, MVP, said sleepless hours after he guided the drive of a lifetime for the winning points in a 41-33 victory over league MVP Brady and the defending champion New England Patriots.

“In our society, with (social media) it’s a highlight reel. I think when you have a rough day, you’re feeling you can’t — failure is a part of your life. I wouldn’t be up here if I hadn’t failed a million times.

“You share that. I’m human, not superman. When you struggle in your life, it’s an opportunity to grow. If there’s something going on in your life, embrace it.”

That’s exactly what Foles and coach Doug Pederson said Monday was the approach throughout the 2017 season by the Eagles.

They had gone 7-9 the previous year with rookie Wentz as the starter. He improved meteorically this season and was a leading MVP contender before tearing up his knee in Week 14.