MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Rookie linebacker Chris McCain sat at his locker Sunday evening with tears in his eyes. He was still in disbelief that he made a significant contribution to the Miami Dolphins' 33-20 victory over the New England Patriots.

Dolphins rookie linebacker Chris McCain's first NFL sack happened to be on one of his childhood idols, Tom Brady. AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

McCain knows better than anyone that he wasn't supposed to be at Sun Life Stadium on Sunday. All year the odds were stacked against him, but McCain did everything the right way to overcome them.

McCain has a troubled past that includes being kicked off Cal's football team for detrimental conduct and going undrafted due to his red flags. The Dolphins took a flier on McCain as an undrafted free agent, which offered longer odds of his making the team. In addition to earning a spot on the field, McCain had to prove to the Dolphins that he could stay out of trouble off it.

Several months of doing the right things with the Dolphins led to Sunday's game, in which McCain recorded a blocked punt and had a third-down sack of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to help Miami pick up a big Week 1 victory over its AFC East rival.

An emotional McCain sat at his locker trying to soak in the moment.

"It's just a blessing," McCain said. "I just feel real good about being here. ... I'm just excited and looking forward to the next 15 games."

McCain approached Patriots quarterback Tom Brady during warmups about an hour before the game. McCain shook hands with Brady and had a brief talk with the future Hall of Fame quarterback.

"I went to him and I said, 'Man, it's just an honor. I've been watching you since I was a kid,'" McCain said. "Going through middle school, I just really wanted to be there [in the NFL] and meet this guy and talk to him. That's all it takes. ... He said 'I've been watching you too. Good luck and keep it up.'"

Brady got to watch McCain up close during the last play of the third quarter. McCain burst through the line and sacked the same player he looked up to, which helped set the tone for Miami to close out the game in the fourth quarter.

Not everyone can say their first career NFL sack came against Brady.

"[I'll] never forget that," McCain said. "I'm sure Tom Brady remembers his first touchdown. It doesn't matter who it is on, that's something you will always remember."

McCain also said he will never forget the day he made his NFL debut in the regular season. The future could be bright for McCain in Miami.