Super Bowl XXV

Lore & Background

The game was held at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on January 27, 1991, and was the last time a Super Bowl would be held at Tampa Stadium. A memorable performance of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' by Whitney Houston and the Florida Orchestra preceded the game. Jazz musician John Clayton arranged the piece. ABC, which broadcast the game in the United States, did not air the halftime show (which was headlined by the American boy band New Kids on the Block) live. Instead, the network televised a special ABC News report anchored by Peter Jennings on the progress of the ongoing Gulf War, then aired the halftime show on tape delay after the game.

In Their Own Story

The stadium lights hummed over Tampa Stadium as the crowd held its breath, but the Los Angeles Rams were nowhere to be found on that gridiron. Instead, the drama unfolded between blue and red jerseys, culminating in a missed field goal that echoed through history. For the Rams faithful watching from home, it was a reminder of the long road ahead before their own dynasty would rise.

Reader's Guide

The game is known for Bills placekicker Scott Norwood's last-second missed field goal attempt that went wide right of the uprights, starting a four-game losing streak in the Super Bowl for the Bills. The game became the first (and so far only) Super Bowl decided by one point and the first Super Bowl in which neither team committed a turnover. The Giants set a Super Bowl record-holding possession of the ball for 40 minutes and 33 seconds. The Giants also overcame a 12–3 second-quarter deficit and made a 75-yard touchdown drive that consumed a Super Bowl-record 9:29 off the clock. Giants running back Ottis Anderson, who carried the ball 21 times for 102 yards and one touchdown, was named Super Bowl MVP. He was the first awardee to receive the newly named 'Pete Rozelle Trophy' (named for the former commissioner, Pete Rozelle). Anderson also recorded one reception for seven yards. The NFL in its 100 Greatest Games series ranked it at number 10.

Did You Know?

• This was the first Super Bowl to feature two teams representing the same state.
• The game was the first (and so far only) Super Bowl decided by one point.
• Neither team committed a turnover in this Super Bowl.
• The Giants held the ball for a Super Bowl-record 40 minutes and 33 seconds.
• Ottis Anderson was the first recipient of the newly named Pete Rozelle Trophy as Super Bowl MVP.