Maryland alum Smith playing in his second Super Bowl

Editor’s note: This special Super Bowl coverage from Minnesota is a collaboration between Capital News Service and the Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism at the University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism. BLOOMINGTON, Minnesota — When playing with…

At his second Super Bowl, former Maryland player faces his ex-teammates

HOUSTON — Joe Vellano couldn’t contain his excitement when he called his father, Paul, on Jan. 17. Five days before the Atlanta Falcons played in the NFC Championship, the practice-squad defensive tackle had earned a spot on the team’s active…