ILP 3- Super Bowl

Michael Walsh

ILP 3

The Super Bowl last night featured a good matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers and the Harbaugh brother coaches. The beginning of the game was a rout and it looked like the Ravens had sealed the game with a 109 yard kickoff return for the Ravens by Jacoby Jones making it 28-6 early in the third quarter. However, in dramatic fashion the lights in the superdome went out.  Officials state, “that an "abnormality" in the power system triggered an automatic shutdown, forcing backup systems to kick in. But no one was sure what caused the initial problem” (Associated Press 1). This break caused a disruption in the Ravens momentum that allowed the 49ers a chance at a comeback. The Ravens were pumped up with a huge lead and the Jones touchdown kickoff return inspired the entire team.  After the thirty-four minute interruption the lights finally came back on. Many jokes about the city of New Orleans, Ray Lewis and the NFL were had about the mishap with the lights however, the effect was the comeback of the 49ers. The 49ers battled back to 31- 34, and the “controversial” plan occurred. The 49ers were on the goal line down by five points with little time remaining in the fourth quarter. The quarterback for the 49ers, Colin Kaeprernick threw a pass to wide receiver Michael Crabtree. The pass fell incomplete however; there was a controversial no call on a penalty on the defender for Pass Interference. If a penalty had been called the 49ers would have had a new set of downs on the goal line and potentially would have been able to win the game. In recap, “San Francisco receiver Michael Crabtree was bumped in the end zone on the 49ers' final offensive play -- the contact appeared incidental -- but coach Jim Harbaugh insisted a penalty should have been called” (AP 7). Jim Harbaugh believes had the call been made, his team, the 49ers would be Super Bowl 47 champions. Overall the game was a very exciting end to the biggest sporting event in the United States. Many stories played out including the Harbaugh brother matchup but the most anticipated was Ray Lewis winning the Super Bowl before his retirement. Ray Lewis who was connected to two deaths thirteen years ago, announced he would retire at the end of the season and goes out in the best possible fashion winning the Super Bowl. Lewis who is the heart and soul of the Baltimore Ravens inspired his team to victory. As Ray Lewis said “if God be with us, who can be against us”. Coach John Harbaugh of the Ravens said “"I think it speaks to our resolve, speaks to our determination, speaks to our mental toughness; that is what wins and loses games, it was just our night” (AP 11).

"ESPN NFL." ESPN.com. Associated Press, 04 Feb. 2013. Web. 04 Feb. 2013.