Despite seeing limited game action as a member of the New England Patriots special teams, Ray Ventrone made his presence felt in Super Bowl XLII.

Just ask Domenik Hixon, a New York Giants kickoff return man. Hixon never got the number of the truck that hit him during one of the game's more memorable plays, but had he been of clear mind after the big hit, he would have noted that it was No. 41.

At the time, that play looked like the beginning of the end for the Super Bowl champion Giants. The Patriots had just scored to take the lead, 14-10, with 2:42 remaining in the game. On the ensuing kickoff, Ventrone, a Chartiers Valley High School graduate from Scott Township, laid out Hixon at the Giants' 17 with a resounding hit.

The spectacular tackle prompted game announcer Joe Buck to say, "Ventrone came in like a missile."

Indeed, although Ventrone's moment in the national spotlight on pro football's grandest stage was brief, he certainly appreciated the attention -- moreso for what it did for his team.

Coming right after the go-ahead score, it appeared that the play, which bottled up the Giants and quarterback Eli Manning at their own 17 with just 2:39 remaining in the game, would be remembered as the momentum-builder that would lead to the Patriots stopping the Giants, clinch the victory, give the Patriots an unmatched 19-0 record and a place in immortality.

"We were more excited than nervous to be playing for the championship," Ventrone recalled. "After my tackle, you could see the emotion and adrenaline go up on the whole team."

As well as for the Patriots' loyal supporters.

"I thought that hit would change the complexion of the game," said Ray Ventrone Sr., the player's father.

Sadly for the Patriots and their fans, it didn't. Manning drove the Giants 83 yards in 12 plays to pull off one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history.

Ventrone's flirtation with fame was not a surprise to Chris Saluga, the head coach at Chartiers Valley High School. He is more than familiar with this Scott resident's uphill battle to make the roster of one of the best team's in NFL history.

"I was an assistant during Ray's career here," Saluga said. "You couldn't get him off the field. He played offense and defense. We even plugged him in at quarterback for three games. He was phenomenal because he was so explosive and physical."

The Char Valley fans started taking notice of Ventrone during his sophomore year for the Colts. By the end of his senior season, he garnered additional recognition by being selected three-time all-conference and second team all-state in 2000.

Selected to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette South Fabulous 22, he also owned three school records including the long jump (22 feet, 6 inches), triple jump (45-1) and the 100-meter dash (10.8 seconds).

Deemed just a bit small to play Division I-A by college scouts, Ventrone went on to play at Villanova, a respected Division I-AA program.

In 35 career games at safety for the Wildcats, Ventrone registered 251 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, four fumble recoveries and two quarterback sacks.

In addition to being named first team All-Atlantic 10 in 2003, he earned the 2003 GTE/COSIDA Academic All-America Award. At the 2005 Villanova University Senior Student-Athlete Banquet, Ventrone was named the Male Senior Student-Athlete of the Year.

Ventrone was drafted by the New England Patriots and spent his rookie season in 2005 on the practice squad.

The Pats sent him to NFL Europe where he played for the Cologne Centurions in Germany and started 10 games at safety in 2006 where he also injured his shoulder.

The Pats put him on injured reserve for the balance of the season and then released him. The New York Jets picked him up but consequently released him in their final cuts preceding the 2007 season.

The Patriots quickly resigned the 5-10, 200 pound special teams player.

"I love playing for Bill Belichick," Ventrone said. "I was proud to be playing on the Super Bowl team because coach knew each player's individual assignment."

Ventrone never imagined how his oddessey would unfold. Even in defeat, Super Bowl XLII was an experience few players get to participate in.

As far as the offseason, Ventrone plans to begin offseason workouts, but first things first. He and his wife were married in July of 2007 but were unable to go on a honeymoon. They intend to do that now.