The Patriots Prevail, a Star is Born and a Country Heals

Six months after the United States was devastated by the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the National Football League set the stage for America’s most popular sport, with one of the most entertaining and empowering Super Bowls of all time. Super Bowl XXXVI was a classic matchup of David and Goliath between the heavily favored St. Louis Rams, fueled by their high-powered offense, and the team-oriented New England Patriots led by backup quarterback Tom Brady.

The Rams came into the game ranked No. 1 in the NFL in total offense and No. 3 in total defense. They clearly looked poised to capture their second Super Bowl title in three years. On the other hand, the Patriots had come off a 5-11 season in 2000 and started ’01 with two losses before starting QB Drew Bledsoe went down with an injury. Brady was inserted in the starting lineup and led the Pats who finished with an 11-5 record, two playoff victories and the franchise’s third Super Bowl appearance. New England was in search of its first Lombardi Trophy.

St. Louis kicker Jeff Wilkins started the scoring with a 50-yard field goal, that capped a 10-play, 48-yard drive midway through the first quarter and gave the Rams a 3-0 lead. The first turnover of the game came in the second quarter, when Ty Law stepped in front of a pass intended for Isaac Bruce and raced 47 yards down the sideline to put the Patriots ahead 7-3.

Then just before halftime, Rams’ Hall of Fame QB Kurt Warner completed a 15-yard pass to receiver Ricky Proehl to the Patriots’ 40, but backup safety Antwan Harris forced a fumble that was recovered by veteran cornerback Terrell Buckley. Five plays later, Brady connected with wide receiver David Patten for an 8-yard touchdown pass with 21 seconds left that gave New England a 14-3 lead.

Play resumed after an emotional halftime show featuring U2 that paid tribute to the victims of the 9/11 attacks. Late in the third quarter, the Rams turned the ball over for the third time when receiver Torry Holt slipped coming off the line of scrimmage, and New England corner Otis Smith intercepted Warner’s pass. After a 30-yard return to the Rams’ 33, Patriots’ kicker Adam Vinatieri kicked a 37-yard field goal. The Patriots led 17-3 with only one quarter to play.

The Rams may have been down, but they weren’t out, as the Rams’ offense, known as “The Greatest Show on Turf,” responded by putting together two fourth-quarter scoring drives. The first capped by a Warner 2-yard quarterback sneak cut the deficit to 17-10. The second, a 26-yard touchdown pass to Proehl, tied the game with 1:30 remaining.

After a short Patriots’ kickoff return left them at their own 17-yard-line without any timeouts, New England played for the win, and Brady became a star. He ran the 2-minute offense to perfection and a 16-yard completion to tight end Jermaine Wiggins placed the Pats at the Rams’ 30-yard line with seven seconds to play.

Vinatieri then drilled the 48-yard field-goal attempt that marked the first time in Super Bowl history the game had been won on the final play.

Although the Rams outgained the Patriots 427-267 in total yards, the Patriots forced three turnovers, which resulted in 17 points and sealed St. Louis’ fate.

Brady earned Most Valuable Player honors for his clutch play, as he completed 16 of 27 passes for 145 yards and one touchdown and led New England to its first Super Bowl victory.

The game proved to be a great diversion for a nation in need of healing from the tragedy that occurred at the outset of the season. The tie between the values and virtues taught on football fields across our nation and ones that yield great communities, and, ultimately, a great country is strong. The 2001 NFL season showcased the best of what football means to America. Football is not just America’s pastime, it truly is America’s passion and one of the greatest teachers of character for a nation in need.