Reggie White's Super Bowl XXXI Sack

Lore & Background

The game was played on January 26, 1997, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Packers scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter, including Brett Favre's then-Super Bowl record 81-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Antonio Freeman. In the third quarter, the Patriots cut the lead to 27–21 due to running back Curtis Martin's 18-yard rushing touchdown. But on the ensuing kickoff, Desmond Howard returned the ball a then-Super Bowl record 99 yards for a touchdown. Howard became the first special teams player ever to be named Super Bowl MVP.

Reader's Guide

Desmond Howard gained a total of 154 kickoff return yards, and also recorded a then-Super Bowl record 90 punt return yards, thus tying the then-Super Bowl records of total return yards (244) and combined net yards gained (244). This was the first Super Bowl broadcast by Fox under its first contract to carry NFL games.

Did You Know?

• The game began with the teams combining for 24 first-quarter points, the most in Super Bowl history.
• It was the last in a run of 13 straight Super Bowl victories by the NFC over the AFC.
• The Packers' fortunes turned after head coach Mike Holmgren and quarterback Brett Favre joined the team in 1992.