Superbowl Time Out

This year's Superbowl between the Tennessee Titans and the St.Louis Rams will be held this Sunday, January 30, in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. These two teams will face off in what has become the single, largest sporting event in the United States, if not the world. All over the country people will be gathering together in basements, garages, and rec rooms for what has become an annual celebration almost deserving of holiday status. Chances are you were at one of these parties five, ten, maybe even 20 years ago, but do you remember the biggest moments of those games? Join me as we look back at the events of five years ago, ten years ago, and 20 years ago and see if you can wake up a few long lost memories.

Let's begin by going back five years to...

SUPERBOWL XXIX

In January of 1995 the San Francisco 49ers faced off against the San Diego Chargers at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida in Superbowl XXIX. Due to recent NFC dominance in the league, this Superbowl was billed as one of the least anticipated in league history. The NFC was on a ten game winning streak and with the 49ers as heavy favorites it looked like the streak would be stretched to 11. The game itself lived up to its billing as it was dominated by the 49ers from beginning to end and any drama that existed in this game was gone shortly after the pre-game show. But that does not mean there were not any memorable moments.

Superbowl XXIX was a defining moment in the career of Steve Young. Having played most of his career in the shadow of Joe Montana, Young was searching for his own legacy among 49er and NFL fans. Young had led the NFL in passing from 1991 to 1994, but he could not shake the ghost of Montana off his back. Young had been criticized by the San Francisco media, which was use to Montana's heroics, for not being able to win the big game. Two years in a row they had been defeated by the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs, but this year was different. This year San Francisco knocked off Dallas in the NFC Championship Game.

San Francisco roared through the San Diego Chargers by a score of 49-26 behind a great performance by Steve Young. The elusive Young was 24 of 36 passing with 325 yards and six touchdowns. Ironically, he broke Montana's record of five touchdowns. He also was the games leading rusher with 49 yards and was easily selected as the game MVP.

Along with Young, Jerry Rice also had an outstanding day. He pulled in ten passes for a total of 149 yards and three touchdowns one coming just 84 seconds into the game. Rice ended the game with Superbowl records for most career receiving yards with 512, most career receptions with 28, and most career touchdowns with seven.

This was the game that we all witnessed in 1995. It was not one of the classic Superbowls, but it did contain its share of great plays. And even a blow-out in the Superbowl could not put a damper on the thousands of Superbowl parties that were in progress at the time with the exception of a few in San Diego.

If this review of Superbowl XXIX brought back some memories, then come back even further with me to Superbowl XXIV and see if you remember the events. Let's go back to ten years ago...