Last Sunday's Super Bowl provided one of the great finishes in football history, thanks to New England's Malcolm Butler, a 24-year-old undrafted rookie who clinched the game with a last-minute interception that cemented his name in pro football history.

Butler, who played college ball at West Alabama, is the new poster boy for small college players everywhere.It was also encouraging to see how easily he handled his instant fame during post game interviews."I just had a vision that I was going to make a big play," he said seconds after the game ended."And it came true and I'm just blessed. I can't explain it right now."He later explained how he had been beaten in practice on that same type of play and the memorization had prepared him for making what many believe to be the greatest single play in Super Bowl history.Butler's tough background also prepared him. He admitted having few advantages as a child growing up in Vicksburg, Mississippi.He struggled in school and started working at a Popeye's restaurant to help his mother make ends meet.Since he did not have the grades to qualify for Division I football, Butler attended Hinds Community College, where he played five games before being dismissed and moving back home.One report said he was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.Butler then made a life-changing decision to be someone and help his family.He was invited back to community college, where he played for another year before transferring to the University of West Alabama, a Division II school.Will Hall, Butler's coach at West Alabama, said Malcolm wasn't dealt the best of hands, but he's played it as well as anyone, thanks to a positive attitude and strong work ethic.Butler credits perseverance, faith and hard work for building his confidence and becoming successful.Hopefully, Butler will remain well-grounded with his new fame. Seattle wide receiver Doug Baldwin did not handle his moment in the national spotlight nearly as well on Sunday.After scoring a touchdown, Baldwin pretended to defecate on the football in the end zone.Excessive celebration after scoring is one thing, but miming an obscenity in front of millions of people is a mockery and disrespects the game.Baldwin could learn from Malcolm Butler or even from his own Seattle teammate, quarterback Russell Russell Wilson, who is a classy individual and a solid team leader.We're fine with those athletes who don't consider themselves role models for kids or choose not to talk to the press. But then don't use the game as a stage for your self-serving, nutty antics.Baldwin's display lacked maturity and only embarrassed the league, the team and his family.By JIM ZBICKtneditor@tnonline.com