WHAT HAPPENED AT SUPER BOWL 2011?
The bidding process for the 2011 Super Bowl would feature three potential host cities. Firstly, garnering the support of Dallas and Arlington, Super Bowl VI MVP, Roger Staubach chaired the North Texas bid to bring the game to the Metroplex area and Cowboys Stadium. Indianapolis, led by Colts’ owner Jim Isray launched a bid to bring the Super Bowl to Lucas Oil Stadium and, finally, Glendale City Council also announced its intentions to bid, despite already being scheduled to host the 2008 Super Bowl. The winning bid was announced on May 22nd, 2007, and NFL owners voted to select Cowboy Stadium in North Texas.
The game was held on February 6th, 2011, and featured two NFL heavyweights in the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, with Green Bay holding the record for most ever championships (9 league championships pre-dating the Super Bowl era and 3 Super Bowls) and Pittsburgh holding the record of missed Super Bowl wins, with 6 triumphs in the big game.
The attendance of 103,219 fell just short of the Super Bowl record; however, the television audience of 111 million views made the game the most watched television broadcast in American history.
The first half was dominated by Green Bay who took a commanding 21-3 lead, only to sacrifice a touchdown to the Steelers with only 37 seconds remaining until the halftime show (The Black Eyed Peas, Usher, and Slash). The first half also took a heavy physical toll with the Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders unable to continue due to an injury and the Packers losing receiver Donald Driver and two defensive backs.
The Steelers scored an early third quarter touchdown on a five play drive (all runs) to move within four points of the Packers. However, at the start of the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh halfback Rashard Mendenhall fumbled the ball. Green Bay recovered it, and on the resultant drive, scored another touchdown. Pittsburgh recovered quickly, responding with a touchdown on the next play and a two-point conversion to cut the deficit to three points with seven minutes remaining in the game.
Green Bay took back the ball but ran into trouble quickly, facing a third down and 10 after just two plays. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rogers managed to rescue the drive and kept it going with a 31-yard completion over the middle to wide receiver Greg Jennings. Pittsburgh’s defensive managed to hold off Green Bay at their own 8-yard line, forcing the Packers to take the field goal, which they converted for a 31-25 lead with 2.07 left to play. The Steelers failed to make anything of their next possession, turning the ball over and allowing Green Bay to run out the clock and claim their fourth Super Bowl victory. Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers claimed the mantle of MVP, completing 24 of 39 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns.
Final Score: Pittsburgh Steelers – 25 Vs. Green Bay Packers – 31
Date: February 6, 2011
Stadium: Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas
MVP: Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback
Favorite: Packers by 3 points.
Referee: Walt Anderson
Attendance: 103,291
National anthem: Christina Aguilera
Coin toss: Deion Sanders, representing the Pro Football Hall of Fame class in 2011
Halftime show: The Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Slash
Halftime setlist:
“I Gotta Feeling” (The Black Eyed Peas)
“Boom Boom Pow” (The Black Eyed Peas)
“Sweet Child O’ Mine” (Slash & Fergie)
“Pump It” (The Black Eyed Peas)
“Let’s Get It Started” (The Black Eyed Peas)
“OMG” (Usher & will.i.am)
“Where Is The Love?” (The Black Eyed Peas)
“The Time (Dirty Bit)” with “I Gotta Feeling” reprise (The Black Eyed Peas)
Despite the snow, ice, and storms, the celebrities came out in their droves for the 2011 Super Bowl parties. According to the press, Maxim that took the Best Party in Town accolade in 2011. In fact, so many celebs were keen to get into their event at Centennial Hall that there was even a line of famous names waiting at the entrance, including Jets’ player Darrelle Revis, MC Hammer, and Adrien Brody, and Michael Phelps. On the same block on the same night, P Diddy hosted his own event. Elsewhere, Snoop Dogg hosted the Playboy party, and Kevin Dillon was seen at the Leather and Lace event.
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