Super Bowl XXXVI
Held once again New Orleans’ Louisiana Superdome, Super Bowl XXXVI featured the Saint Louis Rams of the National Football Conference (NFC) and the New England Patriots of the American Football Conference (AFC). Because of the tragic 9/ 11 incident, the championship tournament was moved to February 3 from the original schedule of January 27. Others also said that the date was moved because Irish pop sensation U2 would be gracing the final match for the Super Bowl XXXVI halftime show. Back to the horrendous terrorist attack, the game was considered as a National Special Security Event by the Department of Homeland Security.
Saint Louis Rams
Super Bowl XXXVI is actually not the first for the Saint Louis Rams. The team actually won the championship tournament in 1999 because of its domineering performance in scoring, total yards and passing. However, in the National Football Conference (NFC), the franchise had the worst defense while landing in the number two spot for the points allowed. These were not the only dilemma of the Rams because athletes suffered from injury and the adjustment to a new coach. Dick Vermeil left the club and was filled in by Mike Martz. Because of the happenings within the group, it was eliminated from the wild card round with a ten is to six record.
Before making it to the Super Bowl XXXVI, the Saint Louis Rams welcomed new athletes its defense system. Earlier, it was mentioned that the team is the worst in the National Football Conference (NFC) in terms of guarding its lines. In 2001, the franchise had the most improved season with a fourteen wins and twelve losses. The Rams had a record of six thousand nine hundred thirty yards and five hundred three scores. Because of the huge progress, the club qualified for the championship tournament. When it comes to the group’s offense, it was recognized as “The Greatest Show On Turf.”
New England Patriots
From the start of the regular season, no one ever expected for the New England Patriots to make it to the Super Bowl XXXVI. The team was among those labeled as “Cinderella” because of its underdog performance. But similar to the famous story of the tortoise and the rabbit, the franchise emerged as the winner. One painful incident happened to the Patriots. Coach of the quarterbacks, Dick Rehbein passed away because of a heart attack. The athletes were disheartened that they lost to two games after his death. Not only that, Drew Bledsoe was injured that missed him the opportunity to play.
Even before the New England Patriots made it to the Super Bowl 36, Drew Bledsoe was already replaced by Tom Brady because of the injury. The team was heading for the first even from the start because one of its best athletes, a wide receiver to be exact, was benched. Terry Glenn was not able to play because he had dilemmas with his off- field performance. However, the subsitute of Bledsoe, Brady, surprised not only the franchise but even the entire of the American Football Conference (AFC). He led the Patriots to obtain eleven wins and five losses. Aside from which, he had a record of twelve interceptions and eighteen touchdowns.
Since American football is one of the most favorite sports in the United States, Super Bowl XXXVI received a wide audience. The championship tournament was aired over FOX with commentator John Madden and announcer Pat Summerall giving life to the final match. Because the game was really watched by people of different walks of life, there were also a lot of Super Bowl XXXVI commercials shown every break. Well of course, endorsers would definitely grab the opportunity to be exposed to a large scope of market. All in all, the Super Bowl 36 was successful and a historic bout at that.