Jermaine Kearse becomes an instant legend with one historic play

PHOENIX – Seattle Seahawks receiver Jermaine Kearse didn't get a podium at Super Bowl media day last year.

They only have 15 podiums per team, counting one for coach Pete Carroll and another wasted on Marshawn Lynch. And Kearse's production, with 537 yards and one touchdown in his third NFL season, didn't indicate he would have one. But he did, because after the NFC championship game, everyone knows who he is.

A kid who was about 10, one of the many kids asking players from both teams questions on media day approached Kearse's podium with the question he'll get asked a million more times before he dies.

"How did it feel to make the game-winning catch against Green Bay?" the kid asked.

"It felt good," Kearse said, going into a lengthy answer about overcoming adversity.

Comedian J.B. Smoove also approached Kearse.

"Amazing catch against Green Bay, right?" J.B. Smoove said.

"Yeah," Kearse said. "I appreciate it."

This will be Kearse's life. In a sport that celebrates history-making plays, Kearse will be remembered as long as we talk about the NFL. In the history of the league, there have been two game-winning touchdowns on the final play of overtime in a conference or league championship game: Baltimore Colts running back Alan Ameche finishing the 1958 NFL championship game a.k.a. "The Greatest Game Ever Played," and Kearse. Quite a list to be part of.

As you can imagine, life has been different for him since he closed out the Packers with a 35-yard touchdown in overtime.

"It's been crazy," Kearse said. "A lot of questions, a lot of interviews being asked for, you just have to embrace the situation and do the best you can with it."

It was one of the greatest moments in NFL history, capping one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history. Seattle trailed 19-7 with a little more than two minutes left but came back to win in overtime.

"Jermaine Kearse, when he made that game-winning catch, just gives chills down your spine," quarterback Russell Wilson said.

Kearse has been busy since that game, preparing for the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Maybe at some point soon he'll realize he has a special place in NFL history (and it's not like he was a total unknown before the Packers game; he had a fantastic touchdown catch in last year's Super Bowl). But it seems like what he did hasn't really hit him yet, or he's being modest. He said he hasn't really thought about the long-term ramifications of making such a famous play.

"I haven't at all, really," Kearse said. "I'm just trying to enjoy the moment, enjoy this time with my teammates."

Kearse could never make another NFL catch and he'll be remembered. Ask David Tyree. He'll probably be signing photos of his overtime touchdown for the rest of his life, if he wants. That's pretty cool, because not many NFL players are remembered years and years after they retire, especially for someone who had to make it in the NFL has an undrafted free agent like Kearse did. But Kearse is not at that point yet, not with his second Super Bowl coming up and a career that seems to be on the rise.

"I'm still trying to make big plays," Kearse said. "We got one more opportunity, and I'm focused on that."

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab