No, we’re not talking Britney Spears, though her ”Piece of Me” just broke $100 million. Rather, the New England Patriots are the toast of the sports world as they won their fifth Super Bowl Sunday night.
The big game delivered on the field, and the much-anticipated Super Bowl ads ranged from funny to patriotic to head-scratching. The jury is still out on the best and worst commercials.
National Football League (NFL)
The New England Patriots came back from the dead (or the football equivalent), down 25 points in the second half, to win Super Bowl 51 over the devastated Atlanta Falcons.
Source: USA Today
Lady Gaga jumped from the roof (sort of) at halftime, and might have been the inspiration the Patriots needed to mount a record-breaking comeback.
Speaking of records, there were a whopping 31 of them set at this year’s game. Here are a few:
- Pats QB Tom Brady won his record-tying fifth Super Bowl as player
- Coach Bill Belichick won his fifth Super Bowl as a head coach
- The New England Patriots appeared in their ninth Super Bowl
- This was the first Super Bowl to go to overtime
- 25 points was the largest deficit ever overcome, by a lot. The previous best was 10 points
Just when the champagne stopped flowing it got a little awkward. After suspending Brady for four games to start the season for “Deflategate”, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell had to smile and hand Tom Terrific his fourth Super Bowl MVP trophy Monday. In case you were wondering – no handshake was exchanged.
Source: WCBV.com
For those who endured the NFL’s regular season and playoffs, you can have your Sundays back, but just until September when the 2017 season begins.
National Basketball Association (NBA)
The Patriots are not the only reason to smile for Boston sports fans. The Boston Celtics have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, and are led by 5’9” star point guard, Isaiah Thomas. If Thomas seems diminutive, he is. In a league where the average baller stands 6’7”, Thomas is the NBA’s shortest player. He is also the NBA’s second leading scorer.
Source: Boston Herald
As undersized as Thomas may be, there have been several shorter NBA players.
Mid-season treat…The Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards delivered a rare February classic Monday night. The Cavs won 140-135 in overtime led by Kevin Love’s 39 points despite Love being the subject of trade rumors.
College Basketball
With the Super Bowl in the rear view mirror, some of the focus now shifts to college basketball and the upcoming post-season (aka March Madness).
#1 Gonzaga, a small school in Spokane, Washington, remains the only undefeated Division I team at 24-0.
#18 Duke welcomed back head coach Mike Krzyzewski from back surgery. Coach K, considered by many the best college coach of all time, turns 70 next week and knows what he wants as a birthday present: a victory over Tobacco Road rival, #8 North Carolina, Thursday.
This week’s Men’s AP top-5 teams are:
#1 Gonzaga
#2 Villanova
#3 Kansas
#4 Louisville
#5 Oregon
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