Former Geelong AFL star Ben Graham will carry thoughts of his ill mother with him when he makes history in American football’s Super Bowl on Monday.

Preparing for the biggest game of his sporting life, Graham revealed his mother was battling cancer back in Australia and couldn’t make the trip to Tampa, Florida to watch his Arizona Cardinals play the Pittsburgh Steelers for American sport’s ultimate prize.

While his mother will watch the live TV telecast in Australia, his father and brother are flying over to sit in the Raymond James Stadium as 35-year-old punter Graham becomes the first Australian to play in a Super Bowl game.

“I will definitely be thinking about her on Sunday,” Graham told AFP.

“I wish she was here but I know she will be supporting me back home.”

AFL mates, Geelong coach Mark Thompson and full-back Matthew Scarlett have tickets to sit alongside Graham’s wife, Katie, daughters Sophie, 9, Rosie, 7, and 14-month-old son Jack.

Graham also opened up to reporters on the early disappointment he has had to overcome in the 2008-2009 National Football League (NFL) season.

The 35-year-old punter began the year with his team of the past three years, the New York Jets, but was fired without any warning in September.

“I was walking towards the locker room to get changed for the team photo and I got a tap on the shoulder,” Graham told reporters at Tuesday’s traditional Super Bowl media day.

“I went upstairs, was told I was being released, so I actually left the building walking past my teammates getting their photo taken as a team.

“So I never had a chance to say goodbye.

“That was tough.”

Graham was re-hired by the Jets a week later, then fired again, before being picked up by the New Orleans Saints in October.

The Saints sacked him after just one game.

His luck changed when the Cardinals picked him up in December and on Monday (AEDT) will make history as the first Australian to play in a Super Bowl.

“I’m very proud to be the first Australian to play in the Super Bowl,” said Graham. “Everything that has happened the last eight weeks is beyond my wildest dreams.

“I’m not placing extra pressure on myself. Pressure is a privilege. The longer I’ve been here the more comfortable I feel. I hope after this week we can take care of business and I can be a Cardinal for years to come.”

Graham told reporters the game would have a big tv audience in Australia.

“I used to watch,” he said.

“It comes on 10:30 Monday morning.

“It’s a perfect time for people to skip work for a day.

“It will be on in the pubs.”

Graham played 219 games for Geelong and captained the team between 2000 to 2002.

He revolutionised punting in the NFL by introducing the drop punt.

“In Australian rules football you can kick the ball a hundred different ways,” Graham said.

“Here, it’s the same way every time.

“I introduced here the drop punt, which is a slightly different technique, but it’s natural to me.”

© AAP 2012

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