Super Bowl XXI Victory
The Giants captured their first Super Bowl title with a 39–20 victory over the Broncos.
Super Bowl XXI was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Denver Broncos and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion New York Giants to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1986 season. It was the 21st Super Bowl and was played on January 25, 1987, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Giants defeated the Broncos, 39–20, for their first Super Bowl and first NFL title since 1956.
Quick Facts
- Visitor
- Denver Broncos
- Home
- New York Giants
- Home coach
- Bill Parcells
- Home record
- 14–2
- Home place
- 1
- Visitor coach
- Dan Reeves
- Visitor record
- 11–5
- Visitor place
- 2
Lore & Background
The game was tight in the first half, with the Broncos holding a 10–9 halftime lead, the narrowest margin in Super Bowl history. The only score in the second quarter, however, was Giants defensive end George Martin's sack of Elway in the end zone for a safety. This began the Giants’ run of scoring 26 unanswered points through the third and fourth quarters. Denver would counter with ten additional points toward the end of the game to narrow their margin of victory. The Giants also posted a Super Bowl record 30 points in the second half, and limited the Broncos to only 2 net yards in the third quarter. Simms, who was named the Super Bowl MVP, finished the game with 22 of 25 passes completed for 268 yards and three touchdowns. He also had 25 rushing yards on 3 carries. His 22 out of 25 (88%) completion percentage broke both a Super Bowl and NFL postseason record.
Reader's Guide
The telecast of the game on CBS was seen by an estimated 87.2 million viewers. The large national audience saw an early appearance of the now-traditional Gatorade shower, where players dump a cooler full of liquid over a coach's head following a meaningful win. The practice was first started by Giants players in 1985; it began to gain national attention during the 1986 season, when Parcells was doused after every win. Another tradition was set with the quarterback from the winning team stating after the game that he was 'Going to Disneyworld/Disneyland!'; although this version was made into an advertisement (featuring 'When You Wish Upon A Star' as its soundtrack) for later playback. Simms would be the first to say it live following the Giants win in Super Bowl XXV. Both he and Elway were each paid $75,000.
More in Iconic Games & Moments
Elsewhere in New York Giants
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced