I guess Lil' Wayne's "Green And Yellow" Anthem may have gave them that extra boost they needed because after 14 long years, the silver trophy named for the legendary Green Bay Packers coach will make its way back up Lombardi Avenue after the Packers beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-25, Sunday night in Super Bowl XLV. They had to hold off a furious rally, too, as the Steelers nearly pulled off the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history.
These Packers, though, are resilient. They've known that all year long.
That effort, in front of 91,060 fans at Cowboys Stadium, included suffering through two huge injuries in the first half when the Packers lost cornerback Charles Woodson to a broken collarbone and receiver Donald Driver to a high ankle sprain. With those two out of the game, the Steelers took advantage and turned a 21-3 deficit into a nail-biter.
But the Packers were no strangers to dealing with injuries after surviving a season with 15 players and six projected starters on injured reserve. They got just enough offense out of MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who finally escaped the shadow of Brett Favre by lighting up the NFL's No. 1 defense for 304 yards and three touchdowns.
Then the Packers' underrated defense sealed their fourth Super Bowl title and 13th NFL championship overall by stopping Ben Roethlisberger's attempt at a historic final drive when his fourth-down pass fell incomplete with 49 seconds to play.
Rodgers played like his idols through most of the postseason and didn't disappoint in the Super Bowl either, where he completed 24 of 39 passes, including nine for 140 yards and a touchdown to Jordy Nelson. The Packers came out firing and never stopped, passing on 42 of their 55 plays.
Rodgers kept delivering too, even after losing Driver (two catches, 28 yards) and even after the Steelers started chipping away at the Packers' lead. By halftime, the Steelers had pulled within 11 points, 21-10, and the Packers were reeling without Driver, Woodson and cornerback Sam Shields (shoulder).
These Packers, though, are resilient. They've known that all year long.
said Packers GM Ted Thompson.
"I'm just so very, very proud of these guys on this team,"
"They stood up when everybody thought they were down. They never quit trying.
They never quit believing."
"It was the great resolve of our football team,"McCarthy added.
"Just a tremendous effort."
That effort, in front of 91,060 fans at Cowboys Stadium, included suffering through two huge injuries in the first half when the Packers lost cornerback Charles Woodson to a broken collarbone and receiver Donald Driver to a high ankle sprain. With those two out of the game, the Steelers took advantage and turned a 21-3 deficit into a nail-biter.
But the Packers were no strangers to dealing with injuries after surviving a season with 15 players and six projected starters on injured reserve. They got just enough offense out of MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who finally escaped the shadow of Brett Favre by lighting up the NFL's No. 1 defense for 304 yards and three touchdowns.
Then the Packers' underrated defense sealed their fourth Super Bowl title and 13th NFL championship overall by stopping Ben Roethlisberger's attempt at a historic final drive when his fourth-down pass fell incomplete with 49 seconds to play.
"It's a dream come true,"said Rodgers, who grew up in Northern California.
"It's what I dreamt about as a little kid watching Joe Montana and Steve Young."
Rodgers played like his idols through most of the postseason and didn't disappoint in the Super Bowl either, where he completed 24 of 39 passes, including nine for 140 yards and a touchdown to Jordy Nelson. The Packers came out firing and never stopped, passing on 42 of their 55 plays.
"We put this game on his shoulders,"McCarthy said.
"He delivered."
Rodgers kept delivering too, even after losing Driver (two catches, 28 yards) and even after the Steelers started chipping away at the Packers' lead. By halftime, the Steelers had pulled within 11 points, 21-10, and the Packers were reeling without Driver, Woodson and cornerback Sam Shields (shoulder).
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