(By: Midilan Sivayoganathan)
Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to win the 51st Super Bowl in overtime in the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history after trailing by 25 points to the Atlanta Falcons.
No team has ever come back to win from more than a 10-point deficit in Super Bowl history. This victory marked Brady’s and the Patriots’ fifth title in the first overtime game the Super Bowl has ever seen.
“We all brought each other back,” said Brady of his teammates after the game. “We never felt out of it. It was a tough battle. They have a great team. I give them a lot of credit. We just made a few more plays than them.”
The Falcons developed a 28-3 lead, which was followed by 25 consecutive points by the Patriots – including 19 points in the final quarter and what people are calling “a circus catch” by wide receiver Julian Edelman – to force the game into overtime.
The Patriots won the coin toss to receive the first overtime possession. A pass interference was called and took the Patriots within two yards of a championship where James White took the ball and barely passed the goal line to win the game.
Confetti fell from the rafters of NRG Stadium in Houston as Robert Kraft, president of the Patriots, received the Vince Lombardi Trophy from the commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goodell.
Brady received his fourth Super Bowl MVP. He finished with a Super Bowl record of 466 passing yards on 43 of 62 passing. He also had two touchdowns and one interception. His five Super Bowl rings give him the most of any quarterback in NFL history and ties Dallas Cowboys retired defensive end, Charles Haley, for most all-time for any player.
This championship game garnered significant social media reaction from celebrities and fans. Here are what some had to say about the thrilling game.
If the lottery was 2 numbers only. I'm playing 3 1. It's been the magical number in sports this year. Wow! Wow! Wow!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) February 6, 2017
Five. #SB51 pic.twitter.com/iC1gOBkt48
— NFL (@NFL) February 6, 2017
What an amazing comeback and win by the Patriots. Tom Brady, Bob Kraft and Coach B are total winners. Wow!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 6, 2017
Brady=GOAT. CONGRATS brother!!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 6, 2017
Congrats Patriots on an amazing comeback!! Tom Brady fantastic job in rallying your team to victory!!!!!!!
— Jerry Rice (@JerryRice) February 6, 2017
@RealSkipBayless slow your roll, Skip
— FOX 5 Sports (@FOX5Sports) February 6, 2017
Students blame tardiness on Falcons' Super Bowl loss 😂 https://t.co/T0YTsI0tr7 pic.twitter.com/WfFjuqQ9AY
— theScore (@theScore) February 6, 2017
Golden State Falcons pic.twitter.com/ssKV2ZowvU
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) February 6, 2017
(Header photo of Tom Brady courtesy of Robert Seale/Reuters)
