Super Bowl XXXVI
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Super Bowl XXXVI was the 36th Super Bowl, the championship game of the National Football League (NFL). The game was played on February 3, 2002 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana following the 2001 regular season.
The American Football Conference (AFC) champion New England Patriots defeated the National Football Conference (NFC) champion St. Louis Rams, 20–17, as kicker Adam Vinatieri made a game-winning 48-yard field goal as time expired. The Rams had been 14-point favorites to win the game, making the Patriots' victory one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history.
Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady, who completed 16 of 27 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown, was named Super Bowl MVP.
Due to the September 11, 2001 attacks, the NFL schedule being moved one week back, and thus Super Bowl XXXVI was rescheduling from the original date of January 27 to February 3. Because of the attacks, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has designated each subsequent Super Bowl a National Special Security Event (NSSE). By 2003, the league had restored the traditional pre-Super Bowl bye week that had been abolished prior the 2001 NFL season to reduce the possibility of the Super Bowl being unexpectedly delayed again.
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Background
St. Louis Rams
The Rams advanced to their second Super Bowl appearance in the last 3 seasons after finishing the season with the NFL's best regular season record at 14-2, and leading the league in both total offensive yards (6,930) and scoring (503)
Their offense, nicknamed "The Greatest Show on Turf", was widely considered one of the best in NFL history. There seemed to be an endless amount of offensive talent at every position. Quarterback Kurt Warner was awarded the NFL Most Valuable Player Award after throwing for 4,836 yards and 36 touchdowns, with 22 interceptions, and earning a league high 101.4 passer rating. Wide receivers Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce each amassed over 1,100 receiving yards, combining for 142 receptions, 2,469 yards, and 13 touchdowns. Wide receiver Ricky Proehl caught 40 passes for 563 yards and 5 touchdowns. Tight end Ernie Conwell caught 38 passes for 431 yards and 4 touchdowns. Wide receiver Az-Zahir Hakim caught 39 passes for 374 yards, and added another 333 yards returning punts.
Running back Marshall Faulk won NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award for the third year in a row. He rushed for 1,382 yards, caught 83 passes for 765 yards, scored 21 touchdowns, and became the first NFL player ever to gain more the 2,000 combined rushing and receiving yards for 4 consecutive seasons. Running back Trung Canidate was also a major contributor, rushing for 441 yards, catching 17 passes for 154 yards, returning kickoffs for 748 yards, and scoring 6 touchdowns. Up front, their offensive line was led by guard Adam Timmerman and offensive tackle Orlando Pace, who was selected to the Pro Bowl for the third year in a row.
The Rams also had a solid defense, ranking third in the league in fewest yards allowed (4,733). The line was anchored by Pro Bowl defensive tackle Leonard Little, who led the team with 14.5 sacks and recovered a fumble, and defensive end Grant Wistrom, who recorded 9 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery. Behind them, the Rams linebacking core was led by London Fletcher, who had 4.5 sacks and 2 interceptions. St. Louis also had an outstanding secondary, led by Dre' Bly (6 interceptions, 150 return yards, and 2 touchdowns), Pro Bowler Aeneas Williams (4 interceptions, 69 return yards, 2 touchdowns), and Dexter McCleon (4 interceptions, 66 yards).
New England Patriots
The Patriots' chances for a Super Bowl appearance seemed to be doomed barely after the season had begun. The Patriots lost their first two games, and starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe suffered an injury that caused him to miss the rest of the regular season. His replacement was second-year quarterback Tom Brady, a sixth-round draft pick who had thrown only 3 passes in 2000. Then in the fourth game of the year, wide receiver Terry Glenn, their leading receiver in 2000, was benched for the rest of the season due to off the field problems.
But Brady surprised the league by having an outstanding regular season and leading New England to an 11-5 record. He completed 63.9 percent of his passes for 2,843 yards and 18 touchdowns with 12 interceptions and was selected to the Pro Bowl. Veteran Pro Bowl wide receiver Troy Brown was the main threat in the passing game, recording 101 receptions for 1,199 yards and 5 touchdowns, while also adding another 413 yards and 2 touchdowns returning punts. On the other side of the field, wide receiver David Patten was also a significant threat, catching 51 passes for 749 yards and 4 touchdowns. Running back Antowain Smith provided the team with an outstanding rushing attack, rushing for 1,157 yards, catching 19 passes for 192 yards, and scoring 13 touchdowns.
New England also had a very solid defense. Up front, linemen Bobby Hamilton (7 sacks, 1 fumble recovery), and Richard Seymour excelled at pressuring quarterbacks and stuffing the run. Behind them, the Patriots had 3 superb linebackers in Mike Vrabel (2 interceptions, 3 sacks), Willie McGinest (5 sacks), and Tedy Bruschi (2 interceptions). But the biggest strength of the defense was their secondary. Defensive back Otis Smith led the team with 5 interceptions, which he returned for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns. Cornerback Ty Law intercepted 3 passes, returning them for 91 yards and 2 touchdowns. Safety Lawyer Milloy had 2 interceptions and was the only player on defense to make the Pro Bowl.
Playoffs
Template:See The Rams defeated the Green Bay Packers, 45-17, and the Philadelphia Eagles, 29-24, in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Patriots were victorious in two close games: a 16-13 overtime win over the Oakland Raiders in the infamous "tuck game", and a 24-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Effect of the September 11, 2001 attacks
Image:Superbowl36orginial.jpg Preparations for Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans were planned ever since the city was awarded the game during the NFL's October 1998 meetings. However, the September 11, 2001 attacks led the league to move both the playoffs and the Super Bowl one week back. Rescheduling the game from January 27 to February 3 was a difficult task. Not only would the game itself have to be moved, but all related events and activities had to be accommodated. It was normal for there to be an open weekend between the Conference Championship games, and the Super Bowl. However, in this particular season, there was not one. Beginning in the 2001 season, the league moved the opening week of games to the weekend after Labor Day (The date of the Super Bowl had been set through 2003, so the bye week would be absent until 2004, when the Super Bowl would be moved to the first weekend in February).
The NFL and New Orleans officials worked diligently to put together a deal to reschedule the game. At first, the league considered shortening the regular season, shortening the playoffs, or even moving the game to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. To further complicate the situation, a convention was scheduled to occupy the Superdome on February 3. On October 3, 2001, the NFL announced their intentions to hold the game on February 3, and by late fall, the three parties came to a final settlement.
Following Super Bowl tradition, the original logo for Super Bowl XXXVI was to have a flavor that represented the host city. A logo was designed and distributed on a very small amount of memorabilia items in early 2001. After the 9/11 attacks, a new logo reflecting American pride was designed, featuring the shape of the 48 contiguous states (see the top of this article). Merchandise featuring the original logo is now considered extremely collectible.
Television and entertainment
The game was broadcast in the United States by FOX and was the last to feature the broadcast team of play-by-play announcer Pat Summerall and color commentator John Madden; both had worked together since 1981. James Brown hosted all the events with help from his then-fellow FOX NFL Sunday cast members Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Cris Collinsworth.
The overall theme of the Super Bowl entertainment was a celebration of the freedom and spirit of America.
Pregame ceremonies
Before the game, an ensemble of singers Barry Manilow, Yolanda Adams, James Ingram, Wynonna and Patti LaBelle performed Manilow's song "Let Freedom Ring".
In a video segment, past and present NFL players read excerpts from the Declaration of Independence. Former U.S. presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton appeared in another videotaped segment and recited some of the speeches by Abraham Lincoln. Because Ronald Reagan was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, his wife Nancy appeared on the segment instead.
Singers Mary J. Blige and Marc Anthony, along with the Boston Pops Orchestra, performed "America the Beautiful". Paul McCartney then sang his 9/11 tribute song "Freedom." Afterwards, singer Mariah Carey, accompanied by the Boston Pops Orchestra, performed the national anthem.
George H. W. Bush became the first president, past or present, to participate in a Super Bowl coin toss in person (Ronald Reagan participated in the Super Bowl XIX coin toss via satellite from the White House in 1985). Bush was joined by hall of fame and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach, who played at the United States Naval Academy.
Halftime show
The halftime show featured an incredible three-song set from Irish rockers U2, fresh off their successful Elevation Tour. After renditions of "Beautiful Day" and "MLK", the band launched into "Where the Streets Have No Name," featuring two backdrops with the names of victims of the 9/11 attacks floating into the sky behind the band and Bono opening his jacket to reveal an American flag printed into the lining.
Game summary
The Patriots dispensed with the traditional individual player introductions, choosing to enter the stadium as a team. This unselfish approach carried over into the game; even though the Rams outgained the Patriots 427-267 in total yards, New England forced three turnovers and converted them into 17 points, while committing no turnovers themselves.
The Rams scored first midway through the first quarter, driving 48 yards in 10 plays to set up a 50-yard field goal by kicker Jeff Wilkins. The rest of the quarter was scoreless as both teams' defenses took control. Early in the second quarter, the Rams drove to New England's 34-yard line, but quarterback Kurt Warner's threw an incompletion on third down and 5 to go, and Wilkins' 52-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.
Then with 8:49 left in the second quarter, New England defensive back Ty Law intercepted a pass intended for receiver Isaac Bruce and took off for a 47-yard touchdown return to give the Patriots a 7-3 lead. With less than two minutes left in the half, Warner completed a pass to receiver Ricky Proehl at the Patriots 40-yard line, but New England defensive back Antwan Harris forced a fumble while tackling him and defensive back Terrell Buckley recovered the ball. Five plays later, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady completed an 8-yard touchdown pass to receiver David Patten with just 26 seconds left in the half to give New England a 14-3 halftime lead.
The Patriots took the opening kickoff of the second half, but could only reach the St. Louis 43-yard line before being forced to punt. Then aided by a 20-yard reception by wide receiver Az-Zahir Hakim, a 22-yard reception by Bruce, and a defensive pass interference penalty on Patriots defensive back Otis Smith, the Rams advanced to the New England 41-yard line. But on the next play, linebacker Mike Vrabel and defensive lineman Richard Seymour sacked Warner for a 9-yard loss. Warner then threw 2 consecutive incomplete passes, forcing the Rams to punt.
Later in the third quarter, Smith intercepted a pass from Rams wide receiver Torry Holt after Holt slipped while coming off the line of scrimmage, and returned the ball 30 yards to the Rams 33-yard line. St. Louis' defense kept the Patriots out of the end zone, but kicker Adam Vinatieri made a 37-yard field goal to increase New England's lead to 17-3.
The Rams responded by driving to the Patriots' 3-yard line on their ensuing drive. On fourth-and-goal, the Rams decided to go for the touchdown with a quarterback sneak by Warner. However, Warner fumbled the ball while being tackled by linebacker Roman Phifer. Defensive back Tebucky Jones recovered the fumble and returned it 97 yards for an apparent touchdown that would have increased the Patriots lead to 24-3. However, the play was nullified by a holding penalty on linebacker Willie McGinest, giving the Rams a first down on the 1-yard line instead. New England kept the Rams out of the end zone for one more play, but Warner scored on a second down, 2-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 17-10.
After Warner's touchdown, the Rams defense forced the Patriots to a three-and-out. St. Louis then drove from their own 7-yard line to the New England 36-yard line, aided by a 30-yard reception by Proehl. However, McGinest sacked Warner for a 16-yard loss on second down, pushing the Rams back to their 46-yard line. St. Louis ended up punting after Warner's third down pass was incomplete.
The Rams forced New England to another three-and-out, and they got the ball back on their own 45-yard line with 1:51 left in the game. Warner threw three consecutive completions: an 18-yard pass to Hakim, an 11-yard one to receiver Yo Murphy, and finally a 26-yard touchdown completion to Proehl to tie the game 17-17 with 1:30 left in the fourth quarter.
The Patriots had no timeouts left for their ensuing drive, causing color commentator John Madden to declare famously that they should run the clock out and go to overtime. However, New England decided to go for the win. Brady opened the drive with three completions to running back J.R. Redmond, moving the ball to their 41-yard line with 33 seconds left. Then after an incomplete pass, Brady completed a 23-yard pass to wide receiver Troy Brown, and followed it up with a 6-yard completion to tight end Jermaine Wiggins to advance to the Rams 30-yard line. Brady then spiked the ball with seven seconds left, setting up Vinatieri's 48-yard field goal attempt. Vinatieri's game-winning kick sailed through the uprights as time expired, marking the first time in Super Bowl history that a game had been won by a score on the final play.
Warner finished the game with 28 completions out of 44 passes for 365 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions, and rushed 3 times for 6 yards and a touchdown. Hakim was the top receiver of the game with 5 catches for 90 yards, and also rushed once for 5 yards. Rams running back Marshall Faulk led the team with 76 rushing yards, and also caught 4 passes for 54 yards. Patriots running back Antowain Smith was the top rusher of the game with 92 yards, and caught a pass for 4 yards. Troy Brown was the Patriots leading receiver with 6 catches for 89 yards, a 15-yard kickoff return, and a 4-yard punt return, giving him 108 total yards.
Scoring summary
- STL- FG Wilkins 50
- NE- Law 47 interception return (Vinatieri kick)
- NE- Patten 8 pass from Brady (Vinatieri kick)
- NE- FG Vinatieri 37
- STL- Warner 2 run (Wilkins kick)
- STL- Proehl 26 pass from Warner (Wilkins kick)
- NE- FG Vinatieri 48
Trivia
- This Super Bowl was the first since Super Bowl XXX to not have a rookie score in the game. Adam Vinatieri (Super Bowl XXXI), Ryan Longwell (Super Bowl XXXII), Tim Dwight (Super Bowl XXXIII), Torry Holt (Super Bowl XXXIV) and Jamal Lewis (Super Bowl XXXV) had scored in the previous five Super Bowls.
- This game was the last Super Bowl played on antiquated AstroTurf. About a year before the game was held, stadium officials considered bringing in natural grass for the game. The system would use large trays of grass grown and cultivated outdoors, and brought inside to be placed on the field of play. Cost concerns, and the fact that it had never been done before, prompted stadium and league officials to abandon the project.
- This game is currently the only Super Bowl to be won on the final play of the game.
- Although the Rams led the league during the regular season in red zone possessions, they did not enter the red zone until early in the fourth quarter, in a drive that ended with Warner's 2-yard touchdown run. This ended up being the only time in the game that the Rams entered the redzone.
- The Patriots became the 8th team to win the Super Bowl over a team with a better record going into the game (13-5 for the Patriots to 16-2 for the Rams).
- Tom Brady threw for the third lowest passing yards total for a Super Bowl MVP quarterback with his 145. Roger Staubach has the lowest total with 119 yards in the Cowboys Super Bowl VI win.
- This game was intended to be Pat Summerall's final NFL telecast. The former CBS and Fox announcer had announced his retirement, and Super Bowl XXXVI marked the end of his longtime partnership with analyst John Madden. Madden left Fox for ABC's Monday Night Football, but Summerall returned for one final season in a limited role.
- Ever since the Patriots' now-famous "team introduction" in Super Bowl XXXVI, the NFL decided to forgo individual player introductions for the Super Bowl; every subsequent Super Bowl has had "team introductions" on both sides.
Officials
- Referee: Bernie Kukar
- Umpire: Jeff Rice
- Head Linesman: Mark Hittner
- Line Judge: Ron Phares
- Field Judge: Pete Morelli
- Side Judge: Laird Hayes
- Back Judge: Scott Green
- Alternate Referee: Mike Carey
See also
References
- Super Bowl official website
- NFL Record and Fact Book(ISBN 193299436X)
- The Sporting News: History of the Super Bowl (Last accessed December 4, 2005)
- http://www.pro-football-reference.com - Large online database of NFL data and statistics
- Super Bowl play-by-plays from USA Today (Last accessed September 28, 2005)
- All-Time Super Bowl Odds from The Sports Network (Last accessed October 16, 2005)
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