Atlanta Falcons’ Dwight Freeney relishes third Super Bowl trip

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Dwight Freeney is making his third trip to Super Bowl.

A few months ago, the 15-year veteran wasn’t even sure he’d play football again.

He was convinced that he could be a pass-rushing specialist and signed a one-year contract with Atlanta.

He went to the Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts after the 2006 and ‘09 seasons, beating the Chicago Bears and losing to the New Orleans Saints.

Freeney, 36, appreciates his third Super Bowl trip the most.

“In a way, you do because you’re older and you realize these moments don’t come often so you kind of take a second and take it all in, all the moments,” Freeney said. “That’s what’s been happening this whole process for me … taking it all in because I don’t know when it will happen again (or) if it will ever happen again.”

Freeney came close last season, reaching the NFC Championship Game with the Arizona Cardinals before losing to the NFC champion Carolina Panthers.

“I told the guys there’s nothing we can do in these moments, but get better,” he said. “We started to get hot at the right time. All the stuff that happens in the regular season is to try to get ready to get in this position. Anything can happen in the playoffs.