NFL New England Patriots

10 Things You Need To Know About Darrelle Revis Heading Into Super Bowl XLIX

10 Things You Need to Know About Darrelle Revis Heading Into Super Bowl XLIX

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Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Darrelle Revis has the first opportunity of his career to play in the Super Bowl. He has been considered one of the best cornerbacks in the league for years now, but he has never played on a title-contending team until now. Here are 10 things you should know about the All-Pro cornerback heading into Super Bowl XLIX.

10. He Was a Great Basketball Player in High School

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Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

10. He Was a Great Basketball Player in High School

Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers darrelle revis
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

During Revis' time at Aliquippa High School in Pennsylvania he also played a bit of basketball. His junior and senior years, he led his team to two WPIAL championships and averaged 25.2 points per game in his senior year.

9. Records Set With New York Jets

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Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

9. Records Set With New York Jets

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Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

During a Monday Night Football matchup against the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 17, 2011, Revis intercepted a ball at the goal-line and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. This set a franchise record for longest interception returned for a touchdown. He also set the franchise record for most passes defended with 98.

8. He Had Beef With Bill Belichick

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David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

8. He Had Beef With Bill Belichick

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David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Back in Revis' days as a Jet he couldn't help but feel a certain amount of animosity towards Bill Belichick, as do most people in New York. He went as far as to call Belichick a "jerk" on ESPN. Despite their differences in the past, the two sat down during the 2014 offseason, patched things up and are now heading to the Super Bowl together.

7. He Threw a 39-Yard Touchdown Pass In High School

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Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

7. He Threw a 39-Yard Touchdown Pass In High School

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Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

In just one game in high school, Revis threw a 39-yard pass, rushed for three touchdowns, returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown and returned a punt for a touchdown. In addition to all of this he also had an interception and a reception in the game. Talk about putting the team on your back.

6. He Is the Nephew of a Former NFL Player

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Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

6. He Is the Nephew of a Former NFL Player

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Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Revis is the nephew of former defensive lineman Sean Gilbert. Gilbert played for the St. Louis Rams, Washington Redskins, Carolina Panthers and Oakland Raiders from 1992 to 2003.

5. He Plays Clean Football

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Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

5. He Plays Clean Football

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Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Not only is Revis arguably the best defensive back in the game, but he is also one of the cleanest players in the game. He managed to commit only three accepted penalties during his first regular season with the Patriots. This is especially crucial for the Pats this year who have the very physical Brandon Browner on the other side of the field.

4. He Has His Own Shoe

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Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

4. He Has His Own Shoe

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Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

Revis has his own line of football cleats. They are the Nike Zoom Revis' and they come in an assortment of styles and colors.

3. He's Much More Than Just Numbers

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Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

3. He's Much More Than Just Numbers

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Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

In Revis' first season with New England he recorded 47 tackles, two interceptions, 14 passes defended and one forced fumble. These numbers don't exactly scream shutdown cornerback, but understanding is value is beyond numbers. Revis is too good to even be thrown at most games. This season he held Brandon Marshall to three catches for 35 yards and Calvin Johnson to four catches for 58 yards. Neither of them caught a touchdown pass.

2. "Revis Island" Is Trademarked

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Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

2. "Revis Island" Is Trademarked

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Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

In 2013 Revis had the phrase "Revis Island" trademarked after waiting three years for its approval. That being said, there technically will be no "Sherman Island" or "Maxwell Island" in the foreseeable future.

1. He's Very Hungry For a Super Bowl Victory

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Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

1. He's Very Hungry For a Super Bowl Victory

darrelle revis new england patriots
Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time in his accomplished career, Revis will be playing in a Super Bowl. His previous teams have never really come close to Super Bowl contenders while he was with them. Now that he is on a winning team in the Patriots, one can only imagine how badly he wants this just 60 minutes away.

Kevin McHugh is a Boston Celtics writer for www.Rantsports.com.  Follow him on Twitter @MchughintheBean or add him to your network on Google.

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