February 3, 2008...12:58 am
My Faves Five
Remember when the Giants carried Bill Parcells off the field after New York defeated Denver 39-20 in Super Bowl XXI? To this day, that’s my first Super Bowl memory.
However, this is not my most memorable Super Bowl moment nor is it my favorite Super Bowl game for that matter.
Oddly, several of my most memorable Super Bowl moments have also been the toughest to swallow. I guess that’s the result of watching Joe Montana lead the 49ers on an 11-play 92 yard game-winning drive against my Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII.
On the other hand, the Super Bowl has given me plenty of pleasing memories too. For example, I’ll always cherish John Elway’s helicopter in Super Bowl XXXII, Adam Vinatieri’s game-winning kick in Super Bowl XXXVI and Scott Norwood missing wide right in XXV.
With Super Bowl XLII here, I’ve paid tribute to my favorite Super Bowl games since the Big Tuna won his first ring in the Big Apple.
Super Bowl XXIII
San Francisco defeats Cincinnati 20-16
MVP: Jerry Rice (11 catches for 215 yards and 1 TD)
Not only is Super Bowl XXIII still one of the most watched Super Bowl of all time but, it made me a life long Bengals fan too. In fact, this particular game was so well played even NFL.com voted Super Bowl XXIII the No. 1 Super Bowl of all time in Jan. 2006.
My memories from the game include Bengals starting nose tackle Tim Krumrie breaking his leg midway through the first quarter. Krumrie was the D’s motivational leader and was largely missed during the rest of the game.
Also, I’ll never forget Stanford Jennings’ 93 yard kickoff return for a TD with 34 seconds left in the third quarter.
Maybe more important than Jennings’ TD return was the dropped interception by Lewis Billups in the fourth quarter.
Even to this day, Billups’ failure to pull-in the Montana pass for an INT is basically forgotten by most Super Bowl fans. This surprises me considering Billups was the “goat” after Montana later connected with John Taylor for the winning TD.
Also, often forgotten is the Super Bowl eve drug relapse of Stanley T. Wilson, the Bengals starting fullback. Not to mention, Wilson’s addiction to cocaine had already cost him both the 1985 and 1987 seasons, in which, he was suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policies.
Wilson’s relapse also forced head coach Sam Wyche to leave Wilson off the Super Bowl roster. Of course, the following day Cincinnati struggled to run the football without its starting fullback. Ickey Woods was the game’s leading rushers with just 79 yards.
The Ickey Shuffle
Bengals kicker Jim Breech (3 FG in XXIII) sporting a single bar face mask
Official ticket cover to Super Bowl XXIII
After the Bengals clinched the AFC Championship game against Buffalo (21-10) my dad took me to an autograph signing where the SWAT team (FS David Fulcher, SS Solomon Wilcots, CB Eric Thomas and CB Billiups) singed my Welcome to the Jungle sweatshirt, awesome memory.
Super Bowl XXXIV
St. Louis wins against Tennessee 23-16
MVP: Kurt Warner (24-45 for 414 yards and 2 TD)
The once woeful Rams win its first Super Bowl title behind the brilliant play of QB Kurt Warner; a former Arena league star turned NFL MVP.
There are few Super Bowl plays more memorable than Mike Jones’ tackle of Kevin Dyson one yard short of the potential game-tying touchdown as time expires. I’ll never understand how quickly Jones’ name has been forgotten in Super Bowl lore.
Although I was rooting for Dick Vermeil’s Rams, I felt bad for Eddie George. He’s always been one of my favorite NFL players. I just loved watching him run the ball for Tennessee.
Super Bowl XXXVI
New England defeats St. Louis 20-17
MVP: Tom Brady (With 1:17 seconds left in regulation, Brady goes 5-6 in the game’s final drive setting up Adam Vinatieri’s game winning 48 yard field goal)
New England shocks the NFL world by upsetting the heavily favored St. Louis Rams.
I’ll always remember New England choosing to run out of the tunnel together during pre-game introductions.
Obviously, Vinatieri’s game-wining field goal as time expires is unforgettable.
Plus, this game was the birth of Tom Brady, the seemingly immortal NFL quarterback.
And, I’ll add that I picked the Pats in this one. Honestly, the Rams became such a comfortable favorite to win the game that I felt an upset was certain.
Super Bowl XXV
New York edges Buffalo 20-19
MVP: Ottis Anderson (21-102 yards rushing and 1 TD)
Another wide right kick in the Sunshine state. No, this wasn’t Florida State but, it was certainly memorable. And, to think Buffalo was one kick away form actually wining an NFL title.
The two statistics that stand out to me from this game are the Giants time of possession – a Super Bowl record 40:33 - and Thurman Thomas’ 190 total yards from scrimmage (15-135 yards rushing, five for 55 yards receiving).
Two names I remember: Jeff Hostetler and Scott Norwood.
Seriously, who ever thought New York had a chance to win with an injured Phil Simms out -and coincidentally, Simms hurt his foot Dec. 15 in a regular-season game against Buffalo - and that the usually reliable Norwood - a career 72% place kicker - would miss the game-wining kick. I still feel for Norwood.
ABC’s Al Michaels with the call: “No good! Wide right!”
Super Bowl XXXII
Denver wins against Green Bay 31-24
MVP: Terrell Davis (30-157 yards rushing and three TD)
Go figure, two NFL legends – John Elway and Brett Favre – give fans an instant Super Bowl classic.
Plus, what a relief for John Elway to finally lift the Lombardi trophy. After all, the Broncos previously lost in its last three Super Bowls appearances. And, I also got goose bumps watching Elway celebrate.
One play I’ll always remember is Elway’s helicopter as he went for a first down near the goal line in the third quarter. What a Kodak Super Bowl moment.
Not to mention, Denver running back Terrell Davis, who was playing through migraine symptoms, gutted out the MVP trophy.
By the way, I like New England tomorrow 31-20. Wes Welker will win the MVP Award after Brady dinks and dunks passes to him all day. Then perhaps, Bill Belichick will be carried off the field like Parcells was in Super Bowl XXI.
Despite picking New England, I’ll be rooting for the Giants!
Leave a Reply