It’s a weird time in which we’re living. We’re all sitting in quarantine wondering how many times we can clean our kitchens, watch Space Jam, and if twiddling our thumbs is a viable way to pass time. In New York, we’ve been banging pots and pans, clapping, and cheering those who are fighting this virus on the front lines every night at 7PM. Here at The Turf, we’re immensely thankful for all essential workers and what they’re doing to prevent the spread and keep us all as safe as possible. In return, the best we can think to do is revisit sports history and find ways to keep you all entertained. We have to fill that void somehow, right?
Super Bowl XXXII was a really interesting one. The 13-3 Green Bay Packers were hoping to win a second straight title. But the 12-4 Denver Broncos were looking to break the streak of 13 straight NFC Super Bowl wins, three of which saw Elway and Denver fall short. And none of them were close. They were hoping a new Super Bowl location (Qualcomm Stadium) and their undefeated home blues (9-0 in those unis) would help tip the scales in their direction.
Remembering some of these players
And, after seeing them beat my Patriots the previous year, I had no interest in watching Brett Favre run the length of the stadium in celebration again. But, having said that, I loved some of the guys on this Packers team. When I was watching the introductions, name after name continued to widen my eyes and remind me of Madden ’98. Yes, I lived my middle-high school life in video games.
Dorsey Levens. Antonio Freeman. William Henderson. Remember fullbacks? Reggie White was looking to grow his legacy. Then, on the other side, this Denver team was STACKED. Terrell Davis was a monster. Shannon Sharpe still hasn’t stopped talking. Ed McCaffrey looked like Dwayne Robertson from D2: Mighty Ducks. Bill Romanowski looked like an old man in pads. It was Ed “swoll” Hochuli’s first Super Bowl.
Okay, now I’m just saying names. This game is worth the watch for a number of reasons. Elway was 37 years old and trying to not stay in the same conversation as Dan Marino. And he was fantastic. Sure, his passing stats were GARBAGE (12/22, 123 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 51.1 QBR). But that didn’t matter. He scrambled wildly successfully. Remember the famed helicopter run? That was this game. Denver rode the ground and pound game that was working to the tune of 157 yards through Davis.
The power running and big defensive/special teams plays won this game for Denver, and finally allowed John Elway to hoist that elusive Lombardi Trophy.
