By David Willis
CNHI News Service
INDIANAPOLIS -- As he walked onto the Lucas Oil Stadium turf for media day, Henry Hynoski was struck by the fact that the site of the most humbling event of his football life would now be hosting his proudest moment.
"Everything has come full circle," said the Pennsylvania native with a smile, looking around. "This is something I truly never expected."
It was just under one year ago that Hynoski's future as a pro was thrown into doubt when he suffered a hamstring injury while participating in the NFL pre-draft combine in Indianapolis.
Now, on Sunday, the rookie who has emerged as the starting fullback for the Giants will play in the Super Bowl on the same field.
"He is everything you can ask for in a fullback," said Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw. "He gives up his body, catches balls and just does it all. We love him."
Hynoski grew up dreaming of playing in the NFL, following in the footsteps of his father, Henry Hynoski Sr., who played a season at running back for the Cleveland Browns in 1975.
"Growing up I would always hear stories about how my dad was a legend," said Henry Jr. "It made me want to grow up to be like him. But he never forced football on me."
The younger Hynoski emerged as a high school legend in his own right while playing for Southern Columbia.
Hynoski finished his career with 113 rushing touchdowns, one off the Pennsylvania high school record, and his 7,165 career rushing yards were good for seventh all-time. His career day was a 409-yard performance.
"Growing up, I always dreamed of being a running back," he said. "But when I got to college I knew I would have to become a lead blocker, and I was excited about that."
Hynoski accepted a scholarship to Pittsburgh, where he blocked for the likes of now-Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy. After an outstanding junior season in 2010, Hynoski declared for the NFL draft.
"I was hearing that I would be drafted in the fourth or fifth round," he said. "Most people were saying I would be the first fullback taken."
But trouble struck on his first 40-yard dash of the NFL Combine, held last February.
"I started running at about the 40-yard line and felt a lot of pain in my hamstring," he said. "I couldn't finish the combine and couldn't have a pro day. I believe that's why I wasn't drafted. People put so much stock in the combine.
"It was very humbling and very hard. I asked, 'Why me?' for a while. It was very hard."
But despite not being taken in the 2011 NFL draft, Hynoski did draw interest from NFL teams as a rookie free agent, including from the Giants.
"He definitely had the potential to be drafted," said New York running back coach Jerald Ingram. "I am also from ... Pa., and people told me he was outstanding. We liked what he could do athletically. Luckily, he was still a free agent so we gave him a shot."
The Giants, in need of a fullback after Madison Hedgecock suffered a career-ending back injury, looked to be a great fit for the young athlete.
"We did a lot of research," Hynoski said. "My mother did the most. We saw how the Giants used fullbacks. And coach (Tom) Coughlin called my parents to talk, and I thought that was so impressive."
The 6-foot-1, 266-pounder quickly earned the starting fullback job -- and the respect of his teammates.
"When we first looked at him you saw something," said Bradshaw. "He gives up his body for us and will take on any linebacker. You can tell he has a love and passion for the game."
With the Giants' late surge, including a victory over Dallas on the final Sunday of the regular season to clinch a playoff berth, a playoff win over defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay and a thrilling overtime victory over San Francisco in the NFC championship game, Hynoski is now back at Lucas Oil Stadium.
"It's funny that I'm back here at the same field," he said. "It was tough then, but looking back it was a blessing in disguise. I could have been drafted and cut by a team. But I found the Giants, and I will be playing for a Super Bowl title. It goes to show you what perseverance can do."
