Super Bowl History: Winners and Memorable Moments

Over the past 50 years, there have been more than a few Super Bowls that can only be described as epic and unforgettable. In fairness, there have also been a few Super Bowls that were absolute duds in terms of entertainment value. However, most of the recent Super Bowls have been close and compelling games. Either way, when you buy Super Bowl tickets, there’s always a chance that you’ll be there to witness history. With that in mind, let’s look back at some of the most memorable moments in Super Bowl history.

Titans Come Up One Yard Short (Super Bowl XXXIV)

With the Titans trailing 23-16 and time running out, late quarterback Steve McNair helped Tennessee orchestrate a drive into the red zone. On what would end up being the final play of the game, McNair threw a short pass to Kevin Dyson, who had a running start on his way to the end zone. However, St. Louis linebacker Mike Jones was able to grab him and get Dyson to the turf. Dyson reached the ball out as far as he could, only to come a yard short of the game-tying score as time expired. The play was so close that from the sidelines Rams coach Dick Vermeil thought it was a touchdown and began to mentally prepare for overtime before realizing his team had won.

Joe Montana’s Game-Winning Drive (Super Bowl XXIII)

One of the highlights of Montana’s Hall-of-Fame career was this drive with the 49ers trailing 16-13 with 3:10 left. The San Francisco drive started at the 8-yard line, giving Montana and company 92 yards to go. It was later revealed that Montana got his teammates to relax in the huddle before the drive started by pointing out actor John Candy sitting in the stands. Montana then showed incredible poise in guiding the 49ers on a touchdown drive that ended with a John Taylor touchdown catch with 39 seconds left to give San Francisco a 20-16 win.

The Elway-Copter (Super Bowl XXXII)

There was never a doubt that John Elway was a Hall of Famer, but a Super Bowl win always eluded him, as he and the Broncos had suffered multiple losses. However, Elway finally got over the hump in Super Bowl XXXII despite the Broncos being two-touchdown underdogs. In the game’s most famous play, the 37-year-old Elway took off with his legs, needing six yards for a first down. He was still short when the Green Bay defense started to converge on him. Showing no fear, Elway leaped in the air, took a hit, and spun around like a helicopter but got the first down. Two plays later, the Broncos scored to take the lead and ultimately won the game.

Wide Right (Super Bowl XXV)

For Bills fans, this moment is memorable for all of the wrong reasons. Trailing the Giants 20-19 with just over two minutes left in the game, Buffalo orchestrated a drive to get the ball to the New York 30-yard line. The typically reliable Scott Norwood was called upon to kick a 47-yard field goal to win the game. Alas, Norwood’s kick went wide to the right, giving the Giants a 20-19 win. It was the first and most painful of Buffalo’s four consecutive Super Bowl losses.

David Tyree’s Catch (Super Bowl XLII)

There are so many memorable moments in the two Super Bowls played between the Giants and Patriots. However, nothing will top the catch David Tyree made in the closing stages of Super Bowl XLII. It started with Eli Manning making a Houdini-like escape from what looked like a sack. In fact, the referee later admitted to being fractions of a second away from blowing the whistle with Manning firmly in a defender’s grasp. However, the quarterback got out of trouble and launched a pass in Tyree’s general direction. With New England’s Rodney Harrison draped over him, Tyree somehow pinned the ball against his helmet and kept it from hitting the ground as Harrison dragged him down. It’s the kind of catch you couldn’t replicate if you tried, and it set up the game-winning touchdown to give the Giants a 17-14 win.

When the Lights Go Out (Super Bowl XLVII)

At the Super Bowl, you tend to expect the unexpected. But you never expect the lights to go out. Nevertheless, that’s what happened at the Superdome in New Orleans during Super Bowl XLVII. The game was delayed for 34 minutes while stadium staffers scrambled to get the lights back on. The delay helped to breakup Baltimore’s momentum, allowing the 49ers to make a game of it after trailing 28-6. However, the Ravens ultimately hung on for a 34-31 win.

Second Guessed Forever (Super Bowl XLIX)

The Seahawks were literally one yard away from winning back-to-back Super Bowls. They trailed New England 28-24 but drove to the 1-yard line with 26 seconds on the clock. With one timeout left to use, everybody in the building knew that running back Marshawn Lynch, AKA Beast Bode, would get at least one chance to find the end zone. However, on 2nd and goal from the 1, Seattle called a quick slant that New England cornerback Malcolm Butler read the whole way and intercepted. Instead of getting two or three chances from the 1-yard line, the Seahawks turned it over on their first play, giving the Patriots a 28-24 win and yet another Super Bowl win. It’s a play call that will be second-guessed until the end of time.