"I don't think you ever really lose it. There's always a chip on your shoulder," said the Marshfield native and former Marshfield High star, who began his NFL career with the Patriots in 1999, but didn't stick in the league until 2003, with stops in NFL Europe, furniture delivery, dock building, and a fishing boat in between.

"Every training camp I'm fighting for my life to keep a job. That's the reality of the league. There are so many good, quality players that are coming into the league every year. That's what makes our game so great - every year in training camp every player has an opportunity to fulfill their dream of making a roster in the NFL."

At Brown, Morey became the Ivy League's all-time leader in receiving yards with 3,850 and touchdown receptions (39). He entered the NFL as a Patriots seventh-round draft pick with visions of being the next Wayne Chrebet, but ended up a Steve Tasker-type, reinventing himself as a special teams standout.

This season, Morey, the Cardinals' special teams captain, earned his first Pro Bowl berth after he led Arizona with 22 special teams tackles and won a game against Dallas by blocking a punt in overtime that was returned for a touchdown by former Patriots linebacker Monty Beisel, the first time in NFL history a game ended on a punt block.

"There are just so many good quality special teams players in the league that do their job in total anonymity from week to week. To be able to be recognized as one of those guys this year is truly a great honor," said Morey, whose Patriots career ended in 2000, when he hurt his ankle while on the practice squad, then signed an injury release.

"I think I'm getting a lot of mileage out of the Dallas play, but I've been consistent year after year, playing with consistency at my position, doing my job for a long time. I think that's usually what helps players make the Pro Bowl, being consistent year after year."

Morey, 32, has been consistent since his first full NFL season, in 2003 with Philadelphia. He was named the Eagles' special teams MVP that season with 28 tackles. He then signed the following year with the Keystone State's other NFL entry, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Morey led the Steelers in special teams tackles all three seasons he played for them (2004-06) and was named a Pro Bowl alternate in 2005. That was the same season the Steelers won Super Bowl XL.

When former Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt took Arizona's head coaching position in 2007, he brought Morey with him, believing he needed players with Morey's dedication to eradicate the Cardinals' culture of losing.

"Sean is a consummate professional. He studies his trade. He doesn't let his ego get in the way," said Arizona special teams coach Kevin Spencer, who was Pittsburgh's special teams coach from 2002-06. "I think Sean believes he's the best receiver, but if not, then he's going to be the best special teams player, and he prepares accordingly. He's a great leader. He sets the tone on the field, sets the tone in the locker room. We brought him to Arizona for that reason. Sean just brings a great amount to our Football team. We're glad he's with us."

Morey is glad to be with the Cardinals and playing in his second Super Bowl. Being out of the league in 2001 and 2002 has given him a perspective that few NFL players have.

"I did a myriad of odd jobs. I did whatever I could to try to distance myself from starting a new career, and I did temporary jobs. I just wanted to have purpose," said Morey.

"I was a little disenfranchised with the fact that I hadn't made it in the NFL, and my skin was crawling. The first year I spent out of Football I delivered furniture all year. The second year I stayed with my wife's parents in Canada, and I'd build docks. In the middle of winter it's not fun work. I worked on a fishing boat, my father is a fisherman."

Morey entered last night with an opportunity to join Kenny Hill (Yale) and Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett (Princeton) as the only Ivy League players to be a member of two Super Bowl Championship teams.

"I probably thought I'd be catching more passes," admitted Morey, who has 11 career receptions, none this season. "You do the job that you're asked to do, and do it as well as you can. I play for the respect of my peers and just by consistently going out there and competing and trying to do the job I'm asked to do as well as I can and try to impact the game.

"It's been 10 years since I started this. I didn't do anything special. I just did my job consistently. I showed up every day. I was really fortunate to have the opportunity to play with other players that helped me to be a better pro. I had good coaches that sacrificed their time to help me grow into a player and give me a chance. I've been blessed."

Christopher L. Gasper can be reached at cgasper@globe.com