Final play of Super Bowl XXXIV

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In this famous image, Kevin Dyson tries to extend the ball into the end zone as Mike Jones brings him down.

The final play of Super Bowl XXXIV (also known as The Tackle^[1][2] and One Yard Short^[3][4]) happened in a game played between the St. Louis Rams and the Tennessee Titans on January 30, 2000.^[5] It resulted in Titans wide receiver Kevin Dyson being tackled by Rams linebacker Mike Jones at the one-yard line, preserving a 23-16 Rams victory.^[6][7]

[edit] Legacy

Given the pressure of the Super Bowl and the wild game that preceded it, the Tackle is considered one of the greatest and most exciting game-ending plays in modern National Football League history, and the image of Dyson stretching the ball towards the goal line with Jones wrapped around him has become a staple of NFL highlights. ESPN.com ranked The Tackle as the 35th greatest moment of the past 25 years in sports (as of 2007)^[8] and the second-greatest moment in Super Bowl history.^[9] Fox Sports ranked The Tackle as the Greatest Clutch Play in Super Bowl History (as of 2007). Many consider Super Bowl XXXIV to be the greatest super bowl ever, and the tackle as the greatest Super Bowl ending ever.^[10]

Going into the Super Bowl, the Rams' defense, including Jones, was a powerful and stout unit, overshadowed by the team's high-powered offense, known as The Greatest Show On Turf.^[11]

[edit] Play

The Titans had just used their final timeout with six seconds remaining. With no more timeouts remaining and the ball on the Rams' 10 yard line, the Titans, trailing by a touchdown, had one last chance to try to tie the game. The plan was to use Titans tight end Frank Wycheck, who would be running straight up the field on the right side, to lure Jones away from Dyson, who would slant left through the middle of the field. With Jones occupying Wycheck, quarterback Steve McNair would pass the ball to Dyson, who would be open from about five yards out for the score.

As the play started, everything appeared to be going as was planned. Jones ran with Wycheck up the field from the beginning of the play. However, as the pass was being delivered to Dyson, Jones, who was at the goal line, glanced over his left shoulder and noticed an open Dyson catching the ball. He switched directions and began to run towards the Titans receiver. Dyson ran directly toward the goal, but his legs were wrapped up by Jones with about two and a half yards left to the goal line.

Since he was being tackled by the legs, there was still the possibility Dyson could reach towards the end zone and get the ball above the goal line. Both players went into a rolling motion of sorts as Dyson—his back in the air but nearly touching the ground, as his legs were on top of Jones—outstretched his hand with the football towards the goal line in the hopes of scoring the touchdown. Though his reach was close, and the ball mere inches away from the end zone, it was still not enough to score. As the rolling motion came to an end, with Jones now on top of Dyson's legs, his shoulder had touched the ground and, therefore, the game was over. Had Dyson scored and the extra point been made, it would have been the first Super Bowl to ever go into overtime. However, if the Titans had made a two-point conversion if the TD was made, then the Titans would have won 24-23, which would have made Super Bowl XXXIV the second Super Bowl to have a one-point margin of victory (the first being Super Bowl XXV, which also aired on ABC).

[edit] The call

ABC Sports broadcaster Al Michaels made the following call as the play happened:

• "It is caught by Dyson. Can he get in? No, he cannot! Mike Jones made the tackle... and the Rams have won the Super Bowl!"

The St. Louis Rams radio announcer, Mike Bush, after seconds of St. Louis celebrating, said this:

• "St. Louis, the Gateway to the West, is now the gateway to the BEST... football team in the world!"

Westwood One/CBS Radio Sports broadcaster Howard David, during the national radio broadcast of the game:

• "Shotgun for McNair...takes the snap, looks to the right, throws...and it's complete the Titan at the one yard line and he's stopped short! The clock strikes triple zero. Kevin Dyson caught the ball and Mike Jones made the tackle at the one yard line to preserve a win for the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV."

[edit] See also

• National Football League lore

[edit] External links

• Video of the play

[edit] References