2007 super bowl
Om Feb. 04, 2007, Dolphin Stadium in Florida was host for the 2007 Super Bowl, making this the 9th time the Super Bowl was hosted in the state of Florida since it’s beginning 40 years earlier. Only one other state, Louisiana, has hosted the Super Bowl as many times.
The 2007 Super Bowl was a game of firsts, setting some unusual records in super bowl history. Bpth teams had an African American as head coach, meaning this would be the first time a black coack would win the Super Bowl in it’s 40 year hiostory. This also was the first time the super bowl was played on a wet and soggy field, as the rain did not let up all day. Another record was within the first minute when the opening kickoff was run back for a touchdown by Bears rookie Devin Hester, making it the earliest score in super bowl history.
Super Bowl 2007 featured the AFC (American Football Conference) champions, the Indianapolis Colts, against the NFC (National Football Conference) champions, the Chicago Bears. This would be the second appearance for both teams, who each won their previous super bowls, The Colts in Super Bowl V (1970), and the Bears in Super Bowl XX (1985).
Peyton Manning for the Colts was named the 2007 Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP) after completing 25 out of 38 passes for a total 247 yards and a touchdown, with one interception. His outstanding performance at the game highlighted his excellent 10-year career, and many believ he well deserved the MVP title.
Even with Hester making the early score, the Bears were able to keep the lead in the first quarter with 14-7. Because Hester had returned the opening kick to score a 92-yard touchdown, the Colts avoided kicking to him for the rest of the game. Going into the halftime, the colts had slightly overtaken the Bears with a 2-point lead as the score stood at 16-14.
Entering the third quarter, the colts would maintain their lead throughout the remainder of the game as the Chicago tried desperately to gain possession. The 3rd quarter finished with the Bears making a field goal and the colts making two field gials for a third quarter score of 22-17, Colts leading. The lead was not significant, however, in the first few minutes of the fourth quarter, Kelvin Hayden’s 56-yard interception return resulted in a touchdown for the Colts as they broke away with a 29-17 lead.
Chicago was unable to push much past their own 47, and with only 1:42 left in the game, the Colts only had to bide their time. The final five plays of the game resulted in no score as the Colts took home the 2007 Super Bowl trophy and their second super bowl win with a final score of 29-17.