Antonio Pierce confessed he had been clueless about the extent of interest and support his Super Bowl journey had captured in Bermuda, before declaring: "I really feel like the Island has accepted me."

Back in Bermuda for the first time since New York Giants' victory over New England Patriots, Pierce admitted to The Royal Gazette he was only now becoming aware of the amount of goodwill he received from Islanders during the rocky road to Arizona.

"I really didn't know what the interest or buzz was like (in Bermuda)," said the linebacker whose father lives in Southampton. "But my father kept telling me what it was like. I really appreciate it all and it's great to know Bermuda has accepted me and was cheering me on.

"My grandmother has shown me the newspaper articles, and stuff like that, and it's nice to know.

"It doesn't matter where you were born or raised it's what's in your blood and what's inside of you. My father's Bermudian and my mother is from California - that's how things worked out.

"I've been coming to Bermuda for the last 22-years for business or summer vacations as much as I can and it's always fun to be here."

The amiable 29-year-old Pro Bowler said his life had changed since that famous night when the 'Big Blue' stunned Tom Brady's bunch of history-making hopefuls, and in turn shocked the world.

"I guess my life has changed since winning the Super Bowl," smiled Pierce. "People want a piece of you. They want to hear about the Super Bowl and how it happened. That's something I really appreciate.

"It was a hell of a run by us (New York Giants), and kind of unpredictable. When you see it happen like that it adds even more value to the achievement."

Accompanied by his elegant fiancé, Pierce spent yesterday regaling starry-eyed students from Cedarbridge Academy with tales of the tough streets of Compton, California, where he grew up, his fond memories of his childhood summers spent in Warwick and the adversities he faced en route to lifting the Lombardi trophy. He also delivered a motivational speech to pupils at Berkeley Institute earlier in the day.

"During the vacations I spent here seeing my pops I remember getting whooped by the other kids at soccer," he laughed. "And as for cricket, I just couldn't hit the ball. But when I started playing football I knew I'd found my knack.

"My father told me he wanted me to be a plumber but thankfully I didn't listen to him on that one. I was 100 per cent focused on becoming a NFL player and I wouldn't take no for an answer."

The former Washington Redskin reckons he has another three or four years at the pinnacle of his sport, but is already making plans for life after football.

"I'd like to stay in the NFL forever and want to retire as the best linebacker in Giants' history and the best linebacker in NFL history. I know there's more to life than football but I'll definitely stay in the game, whether through coaching or in the media.

"The NFL's a revolving door for players and as we speak there's probably 20-odd guys working-out trying to take my place. Now that makes me nervous!"

While answering questions from the floor Pierce was cheekily asked by Bermuda's assistant national team coach, and Cedarbridge teacher, Kenny Thompson whether he would ever return to his former team Redskins.

Pierce's reply was as blunt as one of his trademark tackles: "No, I have a problem with people who don't appreciate my work."