February 2, 2015

Yesterday, the New England Patriots defeated the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 to win Super Bowl XLIX, the championship game of the National Football League (NFL). The game was played at University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona. New England cornerback Malcolm Butler, a rookie, was the hero of the game when he intercepted a pass thrown by Seattle’s Russell Wilson in the end zone with 20 seconds left in the game. Fans and football experts questioned the decision made by the Seahawks coaching staff to pass the ball instead of handing the ball off to star running back Marshawn Lynch.

Malcolm Butler (left) of the New England Patriots intercepts a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks Ricardo Lockette during the last seconds of NFL Super Bowl XLIX. Butler’s interception secured the win for the Patriots. Credit: AP Photo

In the first half, both teams scored two touchdowns. The Seahawks scored 10 unanswered points in the third quarter to take a 24-14 lead. Tom Brady, the Patriots quarterback, then led his team to two fourth quarter touchdowns drives to take a 28-24 lead. The Seahawks got the ball back with about 2 minutes left and drove to the Patriots’s 1-yard line before Butler’s interception. Brady, who won his fourth Super Bowl in his record sixth appearance, was named the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the game.

In other Super Bowl events, pop star Katy Perry provided the entertainment at halftime, entering on a giant tiger and later performing with dancers dressed as sharks. For Super Bowl commercials, Budweiser won the hearts of viewers as they did in 2014 with horses and a puppy. This year, the Clydesdale horses helped a lost puppy get safely home.

Other World Book articles: 

• Football (2002-a Back in time article)
• Football (2004-a Back in time article)
• Football (2005-a Back in time article

February 3, 2014

The Seattle Seahawks won their first National Football League (NFL) championship in franchise history with a convincing 43-8 rout of the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XVIII yesterday at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford New Jersey. Denver quarterback Peyton Manning had set NFL records for touchdowns and total passing yards during the regular season, on his way to being named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for a record fifth time. But the Seahawks, who lead the NFL in points and yards allowed, thoroughly dominated the game from start to finish and never let Manning and the Denver offense gain any momentum.

Most experts predicted a close game between the NFL’s best defense (Seattle) against the best offense (Denver). Instead, Seattle posted the fastest score in Supper Bowl history. Twelve seconds into the game, Seattle scored a safety on the first play from scrimmage, as the snap from center sailed over the head of Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and into the end zone. The Seahawks never looked back. They scored on offense, defense, and  special teams, as wide receiver Percy Harvin ran back the second half kickoff for a touchdown. Seattle’s swift and physical defense kept Denver out of the end zone until the end of the 3rd quarter. Seattle linebacker Malcolm Smith was named the MVP of the game. He returned a second-quarter interception 69 yards for a touchdown.

Seattle’s second-year quarterback Russell Wilson had a relatively easy time compared to Manning. He completed 18 of 25 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns. The Seattle offense didn’t turn the ball over, and Wilson was not sacked at all during the game.

Additional World Book articles:

• Football
• Manning, Eli