Denver cornerback Aqib Talib has a sketchy past.
He had a bumpy start to his career in Tampa Bay, such as when got into a fist fight during the rookie symposium in 2008.
Trouble seemed to follow the talented cornerback.
He was arrested and charged with resisting arrest and simple battery after allegedly assaulting a taxi driver in 2009. In 2011, charges for allegedly firing a gun at his sister’s boyfriend were eventually dropped.
Talib has grown from those incidents and is set to make his Super Bowl debut.
“Man, it’s huge,” said Talib. “This is what you play for. You know you play your whole career to win this game. We’re here now.
“Now, we’ve got to do a great job of trying to win this game. This is what every team — starting in April, this is what every team comes out here for. This is what you start the season for is to try to win this game.”
Talib was drafted in the first round (20th) by Tampa Bay in the 2008 draft. He was traded to New England in his fifth season. He signed with Denver as a free agent after the 2013 season.
“I saw a great team already established,” Talib said. “I saw a great quarterback. I knew it was an ‘A-1’ organization. So, I just wanted to win, man. I wanted the opportunity to be here and at the same time an opportunity to take care of my family so to end up here in Denver.”
Since 2008, Talib leads the NFL with eight interceptions returned for a touchdown and will be the main cover man on Carolina wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr.
Those dark days in Tampa Bay are in his rearview mirror.
“Eight-year vet, finally here, man,” Talib said. “Everything I dreamed of.”
