INDIANPOLIS — Not that he needed the reminder, but the AFC and NFC Championship Games were further proof of the value of special teams to Tyler Sash.

The New York Giants rookie safety and former University of Iowa star has found a home in the NFL by playing the game’s third phase.

Jacquian Williams’ forced fumble and recovery set up Lawrence Tynes’ NFC title game-winning field goal against the San Francisco 49ers that sent the Giants to Super Bowl XLVI.

New York’s opponent, the New England Patriots, won the AFC crown after Baltimore Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff’s late field goal try sailed wide left.

“That’s something that we talk about each and every week … special teams can change the game,” Sash said during Tuesday’s Media Day at Lucas Oil Stadium. “There really are three phases, offense, defense and special teams, working together as one.”

Sash, an Oskaloosa native who fell just short of Nile Kinnick’s career interceptions record as a Hawkeye, had 17 tackles and one forced fumble this season with the Giants.

He said his life has been a blur since Iowa’s 2011 Insight Bowl victory against Missouri. He declared for the NFL draft in the immediate aftermath of the game and went straight into training for the NFL scouting combine.

From the combine, he moved on to the Hawkeyes’ Pro Day and then was selected in the sixth round of April’s draft by the Giants.

During the four-month lockout, Sash kept working out and hit the ground running in August. He earned a spot on New York’s 53-man roster, and now he’s standing on the grandest stage in sports.

“I started my year off here in Indy at the combine, and now I’m finishing it at the Super Bowl here in Indy again,” Sash said. “So it’s awesome.”

All that work hasn’t allowed him much time to go home.

But he was back in Oskaloosa during the Giants’ bye week and even had time to take in an Iowa home game.

He said he appreciates the support of his home state, and he’s proud to carry the Hawkeye flag at the Super Bowl.

“I have tremendous support,” he said. “I’m here to represent the University of Iowa football, Hawkeye football, obviously, the state of Iowa, my hometown of Oskaloosa and, of course, the Giants. I’m blessed to be somebody to represent the great state of Iowa and Iowa football and my hometown.”

He also feels blessed to be at the Super Bowl in his first year in the league.

Sash said he knows there are players who spend a decade or more in the NFL and never get to play in the season’s grand finale.

The experience isn’t overwhelming, but he does have a healthy respect for what he’s about to undertake.

The key, Sash said, is perspective.

“I know it is the biggest game in the world and the most media-oriented event in the world,” he said. “But you just have to keep on an even keel. I know it is another game, but at the same time there’s a lot at stake.”

Sash said the Patriots have great special teams, and he knows field position could play a big role Sunday.

Both teams have explosive offenses, and it will be up to the respective special teams units to make sure neither ends up with a short field and an easy score.

Sash stood on that field Tuesday and soaked in his surroundings. He’s arrived at the pinnacle of his profession, and he can’t wait to play the game.

“It’s been a great ride,” he said, “and I look forward to Sunday.”