Rookie Australian after ring

HOUSTON: Blake Muir has never been to a Super Bowl viewing party but the hulking Australian will be smack in the middle of the United States’ biggest bash on Monday when his Atlanta Falcons play the New England Patriots in the NFL championship game.

To many Americans, Muir’s journey from Sutherland Shire to the Super Bowl has the ring of a Hobbitlike quest or an overthetop Hollywood tale that makes Crocodile Dundee’s United States adventures seem more believable.

At a towering 201cm and142kg, there is nothing remotely Hobbitlike about Muir, an offensive lineman whose job it is to protect quarterback Matt Ryan, but his road to NFL is one of fantasy.

The rookie has collected paychecks from three teams this season — San Francisco, Green Bay and Atlanta — and not yet played in a game but could return home to Australia with a diamondencrusted Super Bowl ring.

‘‘I tell you this is a party, it’s all very interesting but feel very fortunate to be here,’’ Muir said while soaking up the madness of Super Bowl opening night on Tuesday.

‘‘This is my third team already and to wind up going to the Super Bowl is unbelievable.

‘‘It is kind of unique. I haven’t had too much time to stop and think or pinch myself because it has been so hectic.’’

Growing up in a Sydney suburb, a sportobsessed Muir tried his hand at everything from Australian football to surf lifesaving, while his only exposure to American football came from movies and the ‘‘occasional NFL game on TV.’’

One day, Muir and his brother paid a visit to the Sutherland Seahawks Gridiron Club, one of eight teams in a Sydney city league, and found his calling.

‘‘Growing up I played a lot of different sports. I did everything under the sun,’’ Muir said. ‘‘I like that it is very unique compared to other sports in Australia.

‘‘Growing up I was interested in American football but there wasn’t a whole lot around.

‘‘It is more of a novelty in Australia and one day I just went down to the local club with my brother, gridiron club as they call it in Australia, and that’s basically how it all started.’’

Still, playing in front of family and friends at home is light years removed from the 73,000 that will pack NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday while hundreds of millions more around the world watch on television.

Muir’s big break came when one of his Sutherland coaches thought enough of his potential to help him get a scholarship to the University of Hawaii. After two years there, he transferred to Baylor University.

After graduating, Muir signed with San Francisco but was cut before the season started.

He was picked up by Green Bay, where he stayed for nearly two month before being signed to Atlanta’s practice roster.

‘‘It was pretty rough at times, nothing certain about my future which is never too nice,’’ Muir said.

‘‘But I just had faith in myself and the process and that I was doing the right things and that I believe in myself that I can make it at this level.’’ — Reuters