On This Date in Sports January 25, 1987: A Giant Splash
In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com
The New York Giants beat the Denver Broncos 39-20 in Super Bowl XXI at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The Broncos had their chances to take control of the game in the first half, but Rich Karlis missed two field goals, as Denver held a 10-9 lead at the half. The Giants came out and took command with 17 unanswered points, as Phil Simms won MVP honors, completing 22 of 25 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns. In keeping with a season-long custom, Harry Cason doused Bill Parcells in Gatorade, giving birth to a new football tradition.
The resurgence of the New York Giants began in 1981 when Lawrence Taylor won both Defense Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year and made the playoffs for the first time since 1963. The Giants took a step back the next two seasons but began to win consistently in 1984 as they made the playoffs and won the Wild Card Game in consecutive seasons for coach Bill Parcells. In 1986, the Giants shook off a season-opening loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night and posted a record of 14-2, the best in franchise history. Lawrence Taylor again won Defensive Player of the Year while becoming the last defensive player named NFL MVP. During the season, veteran linebacker Harry Carson began taking a Gatorade Bucket and throwing it on Bill Parcells after each win. The Giants beat the San Francisco 49ers 49-3 in the Divisional Round and blanked the Washington Redskins 17-0 on a blustery day in the Meadowlands to reach Super Bowl XXI, as Defensive Coordinator Bill Belichick was given a victory ride off the field.
The Denver Broncos arrived at Super Bowl XXI after a dramatic game-tying drive led by John Elway in the AFC Championship Game. The Broncos were coached by Dan Reeves, who led them to an 11-5 season to win the AFC West. In the playoffs, the Broncos edged the New England Patriots 22-17 before beating the Cleveland Browns 23-20 in overtime.
The Giants were heavy favorites in Super Bowl XXI, but the Broncos got off to a strong start, taking a 3-0 lead on a 48-yard field goal by Rich Karlis. The Giants answered with a touchdown as Zeke Mowat caught a six-yard pass from Phil Simms. However, Denver continued to give the Giants defense fits as John Elway had a four-yard run to regain the lead. It was the first touchdown the Giants allowed in the postseason.
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As the second quarter began, the Broncos got the first stop of the game, forcing the Giants to punt. Again John Elway took the Broncos down the field, but this time Elway was stopped at the one. Despite having first and goal, the Broncos were forced to settle for a field goal attempt. However, Rich Karlis, the barefoot kicker, missed a 23-yard chip shot. The Giants were forced to punt again as Sean Landeta pinned the Broncos deep. The officials ruled against the Broncos on a potential 13-yard catch by Clarence Kay. The Giants would make Denver pay, as Elway was sacked for a 13-yard loss into the end zone by George Martin. The Giants, though, still could not get momentum as the Broncos drove deep into New York territory again as Elway's pass sailed just past Orson Mobley, who collided with the goalposts. The Broncos would subsequently miss another field goal Karlis missed from 34 yards.
Despite dominating the first half, the Broncos only had a 10-9 lead. The Giants got the ball to start the third quarter and appeared to be stopped again, as Sean Landetta came on to punt for the 46, on fourth and one. However, Jeff Rutledge playing the blocker role, took the snap and got the first down on a fake punt. That play would be the turning point of the game. Four plays later, the Giants took the lead as Mark Bavaro caught a 13-yard pass from Phil Simms. After a three and out by the Broncos, the Giants padded the lead to 19-10 on a 21-yard field goal by Raul Allegre. After the Broncos were forced to punt again, the Giants went for the kill as Phil McConkey reeled in a 44-yard pass from Simms off a flea-flicker. Joe Morris would score on the next play as the Giants scored 17 unanswered points in the third quarter.
The Giants continued the onslaught in the fourth quarter as Elvis Patterson picked off John Elway to set up another Giants score, with Phil McConkey catching a deflection off Mark Bavaro in the end zone. Phil Simms was perfect in the second half, completing all ten passes. He set a Super Bowl record, completing 22 of 25 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns to earn MVP honors. While walking off the field, Simms became the first to participate in the famous "I'm Going to Disneyworld" ad campaign. Down 33-13, the Broncos got back on the scoreboard with a 28-yard field goal by Rich Karlis. However, the Giants added a final touchdown by Otis Anderson after recovering the on-side kick. John Elway would connect with Vance Johnson on a 47-yard touchdown pass, but the game was out of reach as the Giants won 39-20, with Harry Carson donning a security jacket to give Bill Parcells his Gatorade Bath.
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Two traditions were born that day, with the Gatorade Bath and Going to Disneyworld. CBS had planned to debut a music video of highlights from the game, though the postgame ran long and the music montage was scrapped. The song "One Shining Moment" was repackaged for basketball and made its debut two months later at the end of the NCAA Tournament.