Lammey: My Top 10 moments covering Super Bowl 51 in Houston
Feb 6, 2017, 1:05 AM
Super Bowl 51 was one for the ages. The game looked like an Atlanta Falcons blowout in the first half as they went into the locker with a 21-3 lead over the New England Patriots.
But after halftime, the Patriots roared back to tie the game 28-28 and eventually send the game to overtime — the first in Super Bowl history.
New England won the coin toss and promptly marched down the field for a touchdown to win the game, 34-28.
This might be the best Super Bowl of all time, and there were several moments that stood out.
10. James White’s overtime touchdown
Patriots running back James White had a huge day on Sunday. He scored three touchdowns against the Falcons, but it was his last score which catapulted the New England to a victory.
In overtime, White took a handoff from Tom Brady and dove into the end zone from two yards away for the win.
“It’s an amazing feeling. We have a great group of guys on this team. I wouldn’t want to have it any other way with these guys.” White said after the game.
9. Lady Gaga performing on the roof of NRG stadium
Photo by Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
There were some rumors before the game that Lady Gaga would perform on the roof of the stadium. And that’s exactly what happened.
Lady Gaga opened up the Pepsi Halftime Show by signing “God Bless America” on the roof, then she jumped into the stadium.
Suspended in the air, Lady Gaga did some acrobatics as she got closer to the ground. It was a wild and colorful show with multiple costume changes.
8. Julio Jones amazing sideline catch
Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones may be the best in the NFL. He’s big, fast, and physical when the ball is in the air.
An underrated part of his game is his body control, which was fully on display during Sunday.
Jones finished the game with four catches for 87 yards, but it was his 27-yard sideline catch in the fourth quarter that was the best — and one of the best catches in Super Bowl history.
7. Julian Edelman catches a deflected pass
Not to be outdone by Jones, Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman made his own spectacular catch — one likely more difficult than the toe-tapper the Falcons pass catcher hauled in.
In the fourth quarter, Edelman jumped to make a diving catch after a Brady pass was knocked up into the air on a near interception by Falcons defender Keanu Neal.
After the game, Brady said, “It was one of the greatest catches I’ve ever seen. I don’t know how the hell he caught it. I mean, I don’t think anybody — I don’t think he does, but that’s the way it goes.”
6. Police escort to the stadium
Photo by Cecil Lammey-Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan
I’ll never get used to police escorts at NFL events. It’s great, don’t get me wrong, but it’s unusual to see motorcycle cops zooming around the buses we media members are on.
When on the highway, it’s like a game of tag as they fly by to slow down or stop traffic.
5. People getting out of their cars to take pictures
As the police led us through Houston on the way to NRG Stadium, fans would get out of their cars to take pictures of the buses as they passed.
They probably thought it was the players on the bus headed to the game, and they’d likely be incredibly disappointed knowing it was just a bunch of media members.
4. Falcons fans doing the ‘Dirty Bird’ on the street
In addition to getting out of their cars for pictures, some Falcons fans got out, as police blocked the intersections, to dance.
It was funny to see people standing with their door open so they could break off a couple of dance steps.
3. Patriots fans complaining about Roger Goodell
Photo by Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
It was funny to hear the conversations as I roamed NRG stadium. When walking past Falcons fans, they mostly were yelling things like, “Rise up,” the team’s motto.
However, it was Patriots fans who seemed to be constantly bickering about the way NFL commissioner Roger Goodell handled the infamous DeflateGate.
“They did Tommy wrong” was heard at least a dozen times before the start of the game.
2. Tom Brady, the best quarterback of all time?
Is Brady the best quarterback in NFL history? Patriots safety Patrick Chung thinks so.
“He just showed you. If you don’t think he’s the best, then you’re stupid,” Chung said.
Brady won his fifth Super Bowl, the most by any starting quarterback in NFL history. He also set a Super Bowl record with 466 passing yards.
1. Nate Solder and his son
It’s always fun to see college stars you watched locally go on to have pro success, like Colorado Buffaloes offensive tackle Nate Solder, who protects Tom Brady’s blind side.
Solder had his son Hudson on his lap. Hudson was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and the family went public with his diagnosis to help raise awareness.
In a January 2017 interview with USA Today Sports, Solder said that Hudson is doing better, although he still faces challenges every day.
Hudson had on a Houston deputy sticker and was holding a red football. It was great to see, and a heartwarming moment after such an emotionally draining game.