Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)Last night the NFL Network ran a marathon of Super Bowl recaps. When the time came for the special on Super Bowl LI, all the lights in the house were dimmed. The popcorn was hot and buttered. And I had the volume jacked up. It simply never gets old.
The largest comeback in Super Bowl history is captured in these 28 incredible photos. You see the excitement as gametime approaches. The shock of the reality check the Patriots sideline had after an awful start. The desperation as the clock ticked in the 4th quarter with the Pats being down by 25 points.
But then it happened. The first NFL Super Bowl to go into overtime ended with a Patriots touchdown. 30 records were broken or tied by the time the game was over. And the duck boat parade through the streets of Boston 2 days later was epic.
These photos bring back some incredible memories from the game. The missing Tom Brady jersey. That catch by Julian Edelman. Gronk going shirtless at the parade. As we get ready for the Super Bowl with the 49ers taking on the Chiefs this Sunday, let's relive it all as we take you back 7 years ago to February 5, 2017.
The scene was set.
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)Luke Bryan performed the National Anthem at NRG Stadium. The Patriots were 3 point favorites.
Call it!
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)President George H.W. Bush flips the coin with wife Barbara Bush. They met in school and married during World War II. The President had been discharged from the hospital less than a week before making the appearance at Super Bowl 51. George and Barbara both passed away a year later in 2018.
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons
Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesUsher will perform at the Super Bowl this Sunday. On this day though, he was clearly hoping for a Falcons win.
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)But the Patriots had some Hollywood on their side too. Mark Wahlberg looks on prior kickoff.
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots gives a thumbs up on the field prior to Super Bowl 51. The smile wouldn't last.
Tom Brady
Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesTom Brady was playing in a record seventh Super Bowl. Even with TB12 suspended for the first four games of the season and Rob Gronkowski out with an injury for a good chunk of the season, the Patriots finished with a 14-2 record. But many say this would be the game that would define Tom Brady's career.
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)Devonta Freeman #24 of the Atlanta Falcons scores a touchdown on a 5 yard run in the second quarter.
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesDevonta Freeman #24 of the Atlanta Falcons runs for a 5-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)Danny Amendola looks on as the Patriots struggled in the first half.
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons
Tom Pennington/Getty ImagesAustin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after scoring a touchdown on a 19 yard pass against the New England Patriots in the second quarter.
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons
Al Bello/Getty ImagesBy halftime, things were looking bleak. Going into the half, the Patriots were down 21–3. But it would get worse before it got better.
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons
Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesThings didn't improve much to start the second half. The Falcons scored another touchdown to go ahead 28-3. Here Tom Brady is sacked by Grady Jarrett #97 of the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter.
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)Danny Amendola #80 of the New England Patriots catches a six yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against Keanu Neal #22 of the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter.
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)In one of the most insane moments of the game, Julian Edelman made a 23 yard catch in the fourth quarter against Ricardo Allen #37, Robert Alford #23 and Keanu Neal #22 of the Atlanta Falcons.
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)The scoreboard is seen stating this is the first Super Bowl to ever go to overtime during Super Bowl 51 between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)Tom Brady calls for a two point conversion during the fourth quarter.
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)Confetti falls after the Patriots defeat the Falcons 34-28 in overtime.
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons
Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesTom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates with Julian Edelman.
Happier Times
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Happier times in the Brady household. Tom Brady celebrates with then wife Gisele Bundchen and daughter Vivian Brady.
Another one!
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates after the Patriots celebrates after the Patriots defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks for his missing jersey in the locker room after defeating the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Victory Parade
(Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images)Patriots quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Tom Brady celebrate during the New England Patriots victory parade in Boston. It was February in Boston so the jackets stayed on... at least on their duck boat.
New England Patriots Victory Parade
Billie Weiss/Getty ImagesHowever over on Gronk's boat, Rob Gronkowski celebrated shirtless with a WWE championship belt.
