Super Bowl Memories: Super Bowl XXXI

May 21, 2013 | 07:52 am

Super Bowl Memories: Super Bowl XXXI

Posted: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 9:58 pm | Updated: 8:53 pm, Fri Oct 7, 2011.

The Tribune is counting down the 11 remaining days until Super Bowl XLII at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale with a memory from each Super Bowl

Super Bowl XXXI

When: Jan. 26, 1997

Where: Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans

Score: Green Bay 35, New England 21

Defining moment: New England got within a touchdown of Green Bay in the third quarter when Desmond Howard let the air out of the Patriots’ balloon. His 99-yard kickoff return for a TD paved the way for the Packers’ first post-Vince Lombardi championship.

Quotable: “Green Bay has been starving for so long to win another championship, and we wanted to make sure we gave them what they wanted. It’s astonishing to live there and feel what this team means to our fans. That’s why all of us are so happy about what we have finally accomplished.” — Packers safety Eugene Robinson

Lasting impact: Two legendary players, quarterback Brett Favre, who completed 14 of 26 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns, and defensive lineman Reggie White, earned their first championships. The NFC extended its Super Bowl winning streak to 13 games, but the AFC’s championship heartache — as well as that of a franchise (Denver) and its future Hall of Fame quarterback (John Elway) — would finally end the following year.

Super Bowl Memories: Super Bowl I

Super Bowl Memories: Super Bowl II

Super Bowl Memories: Super Bowl III

Super Bowl Memories: Super Bowl IV

Super Bowl Memories: Super Bowl V

Super Bowl Memories: Super Bowl VI

Super Bowl Memories: Super Bowl VII

Super Bowl Memories: Super Bowl VIII

Super Bowl Memories: Super Bowl IX

Super Bowl Memories: Super Bowl X

Super Bowl Memories: Super Bowl XI

Super Bowl Memories: Super Bowl XII