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THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN Let’s start with the recent history. After New Orleans was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Saints were confronted with the prospect of permanent relocation. Instead, though, they became a talisman for their ruined city; the fact they made the 2006 playoffs was a remarkable effort, but the apex of the Saints’ recovery came last year when, led by star quarterback Drew Brees, New Orleans won their first ever Super Bowl title against the Indianapolis Colts. MONTANA TO TAYLOR The San Francisco 49ers remain one of the NFL’s most feted dynasties; legendary quarterback Joe Montana’s game-clinching turn in 1989 was arguably the single most famous play of his career. Trailing Cincinatti 16-13 in the dying minutes, the 49ers took possession deep in their own half, but with their quarterback producing one of his great clutch performances, known simply as “The Montana Drive”, the 49ers advanced down-field before, with seconds left, Montana found wide receiver John Taylor for the match-winning touchdown.
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ONE YARD SHORT The agony of defeat has rarely been rendered so vividly as in 2000, when the St Louis Rams faced the Tennessee Titans. With the Rams leading 23-17, the Titans had one final chance to tie the scores on the final play of the game. Titans quarterback Steve McNair found Kevin Dyson three yards from the end zone but Rams linebacker Mike Jones crossed to make one of the most famous Super Bowl hits, taking Dyson down one yard short. COOL BOOT VINATIERI A couple of years after the Rams’ thrilling win, they played in another belter against the New England Patriots. With just seven seconds left, the scores were level at 17-all, before Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri slotted a long-range field goal to clinch one of the biggest Super Bowl upsets ever. The win launched the Patriots dynasty
that would deliver two more titles in 2004 and 2005 and confirmed the ascension of Tom Brady, the Patriots’ previously unheralded quarterback.
JOE NAMETH GUARANTEES IT Back in 1969, the New York Jets were given barely any chance of beating the highly fancied Baltimore Colts. But that didn’t stop Joe Nameth, the Jets’ quarterback, guaranteeing his side would win. Sure enough, the Jets won and Nameth starred. Nameth remains one of the more colourful figures in the game’s history – he was nicknamed ‘Hollywood Joe’ for his good looks and flamboyant personality, typified by his habit of wearing a fulllength fur coat on the sidelines. ALLEN RUNS WITH THE NIGHT In 1984, the LA Raiders belted the suitcases out of the Washington Redskins 38-9, but the game still produced one of the most famous Super Bowl plays. Marcus Allen, the Raiders’ running back took the hand-off, dashed left, doubled back and then split the Redskins’ defence before streaking away for a spectacular 74-yard touchdown. The play was accompanied by John Facenda’s legendary commentary: “Here comes Marcus Allen, running with the night.” HOWARD’S END-TO-END In 1997, the Green Bay Packers, led by the great Brett Favre, faced the New England Patriots. The Packers were favourites and held a comfortable lead at half-time. New England, however, came back hard after the restart and a touchdown to the Patriots cut the margin to seven. The shift in momentum was short-lived, though. From the kick-off, Packers punt returner Desmond Howard completed the second-longest play in Super Bowl history, dashing 99 yards for a touchdown that restored the Packers’ match-winning lead. COWBOYS MAKE HISTORY In 1996, the Dallas Cowboys became the first side in history to win three Super Bowl titles in four years and they did it against the Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the traditional heavyweights of the competition. The Cowboys’ dynasty was based around the incredible offensive threat posed by quarterback Troy Aikman, running back Emmitt Smith and wide receiver Michael Irvin but, in an unexpected turn, it was unsung cornerback Larry Brown who was named MVP after making two interceptions that
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NEWS & SPORT
ike any great sporting event, the Super Bowl, which will be played next weekend in Dallas, is steeped in its own unique lore. Although this peculiarly American sport might baffle the uninitiated, any sports fans can appreciate the drama of the occasion. And with this guide to the Super Bowl’s biggest, most memorable moments, you should be able to bluff your way through.
The famous wardrobe malfunction
ALL SINGING, ALL DANCING The football is exciting, but the snazzy entertainment is just as big a deal. JT and Janet Jackson If ever the pageantry overshadowed the sport, it happened in 2004, when Justin Trousersnake exposed Janet Jackson’s boob to millions. Hilarious. Elvis Presto In 1989, a no-name Elvis Presley impersonator scored the biggest gig of his life, but he then neglected to perform a single Elvis song. Truly bizarre stuff. Whiney Houston In 1991, Whitney Houston sung a famously rousing version of the national anthem. Worse was to come when New Kids On The Block performed at half-time.
Tom Brady: one of the game’s biggest stars
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