By Jenna Fryer
The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Signing with the Carolina Panthers was the best career choice Stephen Davis ever made: He can sleep in his own bed twice a week, tuck in his children at night and spend time with his extended family.

He's also headed to the Super Bowl for the first time in his career. The running back's homecoming is a major reason why the Panthers advanced to the Feb. 1 game against the New England Patriots.

One week away from the biggest game of his career, Davis hasn't stopped to reflect on his dream season. He rushed for a career-best 1,444 yards as the focal point of a run-oriented offense and was selected to the Pro Bowl.

"I haven't looked back yet. Maybe when the season is over I can take time and look at the whole season and enjoy the whole season," he said. "Right now, the only thing I am worrying about is that we have one more game and it is the biggest game of the season."

After seven seasons with the Washington Redskins, three of them Pro Bowl years, Davis was considered a misfit in Steve Spurrier's offense and was cast aside during the offseason. As he scoured the market for work, only Carolina and Houston showed any real interest in the 29-year-old back.

As a native of Spartanburg, S.C., where the Panthers hold training camp, and because his primary residence is 90 minutes from Charlotte in Columbia, S.C., picking the Panthers was a no-brainer.

Davis' homecoming has meant as much to him this year as winning football games and proving he's still one of the top backs in the league. Media-shy and leery of accepting the star role, being home this season is one of the few topics Davis opens up about.

"A lot of guys don't get the opportunity and I am blessed to have that opportunity," he said. "I am also blessed to see my family during a season that has been so rewarding."

But the season has been frustrating, too. A lingering ankle sprain sent him to the sidelines for 2 1/2 games. A bruised forearm knocked him out of another game.

The biggest setback came in the divisional playoffs against St. Louis, when Davis pulled his left quadriceps on a 64-yard run in the second quarter. He left the game and watched as DeShaun Foster, his understudy, helped the Panthers earn the double-overtime victory.

It made the week before the NFC championship game one of the most agonizing of Davis' life. He couldn't practice most of the week and his playing status wasn't going to be decided until right before kickoff.

"I did everything I could possibly do to get myself well enough to play that game," he said.

With two weeks off before the Super Bowl, Davis is taking the time to heal. He didn't practice at all this week and won't hit the field until Carolina's first practice in Houston on Monday.

Will he be 100 percent by gametime? For once, the stone-faced Davis showed real emotion.

"No doubt," he snapped. "No doubt!"

Stephen Davis' career rushing statistics

Year	Team	G	GS	Att	Yards	Avg	Lg	TD
1996	Washington Redskins	12	0	23	139	6.0	39	2
1997	Washington Redskins	14	6	141	567	4.0	18	3
1998	Washington Redskins	16	12	34	109	3.2	12	0
1999	Washington Redskins	14	14	290	1405	4.8	76	17
2000	Washington Redskins	15	15	332	1318	4.0	50	11
2001	Washington Redskins	16	16	356	1432	4.0	32	5
2002	Washington Redskins	12	12	207	820	4.0	33	7
2003	Carolina Panthers	14	14	318	1444	4.5	40	8
TOTAL		113	89	1701	7234	4.3	76	53

* NFL.Com

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