SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Antonio Smith had been here before.
In Super Bowl XLIII with the Arizona Cardinals, Smith and his teammates were a disputed Santonio Holmes catch away from claiming the Lombardi Trophy from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
So yeah, Smith thought he’d be back, playing for titles, rings and glory more often than not. Seven years and three teams later, the defensive end was all smiles in the Denver Broncos' locker room Sunday night after their defense fueled a 24-10 defeat of the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.