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Thomas Davis: I'm looking forward to playing in Super Bowl

Despite a broken right arm, Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis is looking forward to playing in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.

Despite a broken right arm, Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis is looking forward to playing in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.

Thomas Davis has been through just about everything with the Carolina Panthers in his 11-year career, and the veteran inside linebacker is committed to playing in Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos despite having surgery to repair a broken arm in the hours following the NFC Championship Game 11 days ago.

The emotional leader of the Panthers’ defense is doing everything within his power to make sure he is on the field along with his teammates come Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

“I'm excited about where I am right now, and that hasn't changed,” Davis said after a recent practice. “I'm still looking forward to playing on Super Bowl Sunday.

“I think even bigger than me having this opportunity, I want to go out there and play for my teammates because I know that I can help this team. That's what it's all about for me. It's never been one of those situations where I looked at it selfishly like, ‘Oh, this is a great opportunity for me, you know. I want to go out there and compete and play with my teammates.”

Although knowing there will be a difference in his game because of the surgery, which required the insertion of a plate and nearly a dozen screws to hold the broken bone in place, and subsequent cast that will protect the healing limb, Davis is counting every small step toward playing in the Super Bowl for the very first time as positives.

“There are some limitations,” Davis said. “I just had surgery on Monday, but at the same time, it's been getting better and better every day, and that's the goal, continue to get better all the way up until next Sunday.

“Really, the biggest thing I've been dealing with so far is just getting the swelling out of there. Like I said, I just had surgery Monday and that's something that you have to deal with when you're coming back from surgery, but it's leaving. I'm gaining my strength back in my hand and my arm and fully expect to be playing next Sunday.”

While Davis continues to work toward his goal of playing in the Super Bowl, he has had a lot of support along the way. From the patience of his coaches to the not-so-subtle back-and-forth games of pulling at the healing arm, Davis has appreciated every bit of support.

However, what has been most humbling to Davis has been the support expressed from Panthers fan Cedric King, who after losing both of his legs while serving his country in Afghanistan in 2012 was invited to speak to the team by head coach Ron Rivera three seasons ago. Recently, King referred to Davis as “a warrior.”

“When you think about what Cedric has overcome as a person, I think it really put things into perspective when you think about all he's gone through and knowing that he's the ultimate warrior,” Davis said. “He laid his life on the line for us in the military, and for him to be a huge fan of us and see the things that I've been able to overcome, it means a lot to me.”

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