David Tyree's Catch Makes a Super Bowl Memory

Sunday night's Super Bowl 42 featured what many are calling the most improbable victory. It featured a heavily favored and undefeated New England Patriots team taking the field against the hungry underdogs, the New York Giants. Most analysts and football fans penciled in the Patriots as locks to complete their undefeated run and win the big game. However, the Giants seized opportunity by playing an incredible game to capture this year's Super Bowl title. Giants quarterback, Eli Manning was named the MVP, and he was part of one of the more memorable and spectacular plays in Super Bowl history involving Wide receiver David Tyree.

The incredible play occurred in the fourth quarter of the game with just 1:15 remaining. The Giants were on 3rd down and needed just 5 yards to keep their chances of winning alive. During the play, Manning pulled off a "Houdini act" of sorts as he was able to elude a Patriots defender grabbing him and nearly sacking him. Eli shrugged off the sack attempt, scrambled away from the defense, and then hurled the ball down field to Giants Wide receiver, David Tyree. Tyree jumped up into the air with Patriots defender Rodney Harrison all over him. Somehow, Tyree managed to grab the football and pin it up against his own helmet. David then fell backwards still holding the ball and came down within the 25 yardline setting up the eventual winning touchdown for the Giants. According to SportingLife.com, defender Rodney Harrison "could not believe Tyree managed to come down with the reception". Definitely an amazing catch to give the Giants a great Super Bowl victory.

The Giants' big play will definitely join the list of other incredible and memorable plays in recent Super Bowl history. Last year despite losing the Super Bowl, the Chicago Bears definitely "kicked things off" with a memorable opening return. Devon Hester was the first player in history to return the opening kickoff of a Super Bowl for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLI. It was 92 yards. Hester's play seemed to give the Bears early momentum in the big game, but the Colts outplayed them afterwards and Eli's brother Peyton took home the MVP award.

Another memorable play which occurred in recent Super Bowl history was in Superbowl XXIV between the St. Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans. The game was played in Atlanta's Georgia Dome back in 2000. According to Superbowl-history.com, the game was viewed by over 130 million people and featured an amazing comeback by the Titans who were down 16 points. It seemed as if momentum was on the Titans' side as they made their final push to tie the game. However, the final defensive play of the game is one that many football fans and viewers will remember. Steve McNair completed a final pass to Kevin Dyson who was moving towards the goal line. Unfortunately the Rams' defender Mike Jones made an incredible tackle to stop Dyson and his outstreched arm. Dyson only got as far as the 1 yard line as time expired. This play just like David Tyree's catch for the Giants helped win the Super Bowl.

NFL analyst John Clayton of ESPN.com discusses how quarterback Terry Bradshaw was part of two memorable plays in Super Bowl history involving spectacular throws. In Super Bowl XIV, Bradshaw threw a 73-yard touchdown pass to John Stallworth with 2:56 left to help the Steelers defeat the Rams 31-19. In Super Bowl X, the Steelers managed to get off an amazing throw to help beat the Dallas Cowboys. Bradshaw was hit to the ground but managed to throw the ball to Lynn Swann who won the game with an impressive 64 yard touchdown pass. The Steelers defense then made a key interception to finish off Dallas in the end. The Steelers took the Super Bowl 21-17.

And who can forget Super Bowl 25, which featured what many will remember as a game lost on on a botched field goal kick. A wide-right kick on a 47-yard FG attempt by Scott Norwood completely crushed the Bills' hopes of winning the Super Bowl. And just like Super Bowl 42, the victory was had by the New York Giants.

Most memorable Super Bowl moments By John Clayton ESPN.com

Tyree Set to Go Down in History, SportingLife.com

Super Bowl 2000 Recap, SuperBowl-History.com

Super Bowl X Game Recap, NFL.com

Super Bowl XXV entry, Wikipedia.org