On his way to becoming a Bobby Orr/Larry Bird of the new century, Kid Tom Brady produced one final miracle to complete the magic ride of 2001-02. The wonderboy quarterback concluded his stardust season by copping the MVP trophy and becoming the youngest winning QB (24) in Super Bowl history.
’’The way we felt was that we were the better team,’’ said Brady. ‘’Absolutely incredible. It’s what happens when guys believe in each other. And there’s so many reasons why we’re here.’’
Brady was hardly dominant (16 for 27, 145 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions), but after St. Louis tied the game, 17-17, with 1:30 remaining, he drove the Patriots 53 yards in eight plays (without benefit of timeouts), putting Vinatieri in position to win the game.
So after four quarters of bone-rattling, blood-and-thunder defense, the Patriots won it on a walk-off kick by the kid from South Dakota. And for the second time in three weeks, Patriots long snapper Lonie Paxton celebrated on his back with traditional snow angels amid the confetti of the end zone.
While more confetti fluttered from the ceiling, Patriots owner Bob Kraft accepted the Vince Lombardi Trophy from commissioner Paul Tagliabue and said, ‘’The fans of New England have been waiting 42 years. We are the world champions. At this time in our country, we are all Patriots, and tonight the Patriots are champions.’’
These Patriots seemed to thrive in their position as underdogs. A last-place team one year ago, listed at 75-1 to win the Super Bowl when the season started, they jelled under the leadership of coach Bill Belichick and the quarterbacking of Brady. They won their final nine games, and last night’s shocker ranks as the second-greatest upset in Super Bowl history (the Rams were favored by 14), exceeded only by Joe Namath’s 18-point underdog Jets in 1969.
