Super Bowl 47 was predicted to be a tight game, but it sure didn’t look like that before halftime. With a 21-6 lead, the Baltimore Ravens looked like they would cruise to victory, yet fate had other plans.
The first play of the second half was an NFL record 108-yard kick return for a touchdown by Jacoby Jones of the Ravens, which then led to a 30+ minute blackout. The blackout gave the 9er’s some time to think and get their heads on straight, and next thing viewers knew it was 31-28, still in favor of the Ravens, who held on 34-31 to win one of the most memorable Super Bowls of all time.
When legendary Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, who will retire this offseason, was asked what the win meant to him, he responded, “It’s no greater way, as a champ, to go out on your last ride with the men that I went out with, with my teammates” according to the Associated Press article “Baltimore Ravens Win Super Bowl 47 Over San Francisco 49ers, 34-31.” The last play of the beautiful and scandalous career of Ray Lewis was a goal line stand that was highly controversial. Ray Lewis’ last ride was just one part of the game that made it so memorable.
The 35 minute blackout will undoubtedly be the non-football storyline from this Super Bowl. Half of the stadium in the host city of New Orleans literally went black and delayed the game, the first time ever in the Super Bowl. This was a blessing from the heavens for the 49er’s, who used this time as fuel to their comeback efforts.
The night opened with a moving performance of “America the Beautiful” by Jennifer Hudson and the young chorus from Sandy Hook Elementary School followed a highly impressive “Star Spangled Banner” performance by Alicia Keys. At halftime Beyonce put on a storied performance with her Destiny’s Child partners right behind her.
The last play by the 49er’s offense could be the one play to define the whole game, the one play that made the controversy. Kaepernick, the quarterback, sent a high flying ball to the corner of the endzone on 4th and goal. Cornerback Jimmy Smith and wide receiver Michael Crabtree fought at the line of scrimmage and the ball fell harmlessly out of bounds. But it was so much more than that.
Smith’s hands were grabbing Crabtree’s waist, which is considered pass interference. Yet, what came after was more important. Crabtree then grabbed the facemask of Smith and pushed him down. Some people would say that the ball could have been caught if it weren’t for Smith’s “foul,” and some people would say that it was even contact between the two and the ball was uncatchable.
This play, which will go down as one of the most controversial plays in history, is exactly why Super Bowl 47 was one of the greatest in history.
