TAMPA, Fla. — Tom Brady may have been the MVP of Super Bowl LV, but the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is thanking one of their own for making a game-saving tackle.

Deputy Clinton Stearns jumped into action when a fan stormed onto the field, dodging security all the way through to the end zone.

“I can think back to all the times my coaches told me forms of tackling that kind of just went through and played off perfect,” said Stearns.

Stearns is no stranger to the game.

He grew up playing for Plant City and went on to play for USF.

Never though, did he think he would be making a tackle in the Super Bowl.

He was scheduled to head down to the field for the trophy celebration when it happened.

“I could hear the crowd yelling and screaming,” said Stearns.

So with just five minutes left in the game, Deputy Stearns made quite the play, bringing the fan to the ground in the end zone.

“I did have doubts of missing him, going so fast with all my gear on, but it just worked out perfect where I was able to still kind of tackle him and go on the way,” said Stearns.

Yuri Andrade managed to avoid being tackled until Dep. Clinton Stearns caught him at the goal line. (AP Photo)

So we had to ask— did the guy score?

“No, he did not,” said Stearns. “Some people say he did, some people say I let him ahead, I definitely think he was short and that’s what helped the Bucs win.”

The tackle earned him personal ‘thank yous’ from Mike Evans and Antonio Brown.

The fan has been identified as 31-year-old Yuri Andrade. 

He was arested and charged with trespassing. He was released on $500 bond.