NFL Films Guru Calls Manning to Tyree the Greatest Play in Super Bowl History

So just how great was Manning to Tyree, the play that changed Super Bowl XLII? So great that NFL Films boss Steve Sabol, a man with a great sense of the history and tradition of professional football, says the combination of Giants quarterback Eli Manning's escape and receiver David Tyree's catch makes it the greatest play in Super Bowl history.

Sabol writes:

I've been to every Super Bowl and I've seen all the big plays dozens of times in slow motion and from every possible angle. ...

When you watch this Game of the Week, you will see the play again through the multiple angles of our NFL Films cameras. You still won't understand it -- how Eli Manning suddenly became Fran Tarkenton and how David Tyree learned to fly -- but that only adds to the wonder of it all.

The greatest play in Super Bowl history?

Judge for yourself.

I believe it is.

I believe it is, too. Manning's escape alone was a great play. Tyree's catch alone was a great play. Put the two together, and it's just about perfect.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-08-2008 @ 1:49PM

Bill said...

Usually the "Greatest..." hype is due to temporary amnesia. The further removed we are from sports moments, the less important they are for some people. But in this case, I would agree that this play is one of the greatest, if not the greatest. Like players and teams, it's hard to compare different kinds of plays over a long period of time.

2-08-2008 @ 1:50PM

Martin said...

Not only was the escape by Manning a great play and the catch by Tyree a great play, but also the timing of the play made it great. End of the game, 3rd down. If it had happened in the second quarter, it would have still been a great play, but not one for the ages.

2-08-2008 @ 2:23PM

bruce bruno said...

WOW WOW HOLY COW TO ALL YOU new england/boston FANS IDIOTS JERKS THIS WAS THE BEST DAMM PLAY EVER EVER EVER EVER BECAUSE IT HAPPENED AGAINST WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE GREATEST t e a m EVER HA HA HA IT HAPPENED IN T H E SUPER SUUUUUUUPER BOWL AT A VERY VERY VERY VERY CRITICAL TIME OH ALL YOU new england players turn in your MAN!!!!CARDS!!!! YOU BUNCH OF SISSIES!!!!!!SO THE CURSE OF THE BAMBINO LIVES ON WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO TRHINK YOU COULD BE PERFECT WELL I GUESS YOU GUYS SUCK AFTER ALL HEY CHEATERS YOU GOT STOMPPED STOMPPED YOU GOT STOMPPED ON !!!!!! PRTOUD TO BE A GGGGGGGGG MEN FAN!!!!!!!!!

2-08-2008 @ 2:13PM

nyc said...

@ #2... You're absolutely 100% right. The sheer enormity of it - 1:00 left, 3rd down (maybe 4th if he gets sacked or drops the ball), 32 yards, a dagger to a perfect team's season, the growing hope and confidence of an underdog with lots to prove...

Absolutely unbelievable!! I'm a Giants fan, but as any kind of fan of the NFL and sports history, you had to be impressed and feel fortunate to have seen it. We'll be telling our grandkids about this someday

2-08-2008 @ 2:54PM

eeluk said...

bruce bruno = fool

2-08-2008 @ 3:03PM

josh said...

bruce bruno lighten up on the crack in your corn flakes

2-08-2008 @ 5:20PM

al coholic said...

I don't think a touchdown to take the lead with 35 seconds to go constitutes a stomping, Bruce Bono.

I'm a Giants fan but when I read crap like that it embarrasses me.

Show some class. The Patriots are a great team and we were able to beat them by playing harder, but we also needed a bit of luck.

Except for their coach they have all shown good sportsmanship.

2-11-2008 @ 10:09AM

bbcoachms said...

I do think that you can look at this play now and even in 20 years and it will be ONE of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history. We have seen many great plays in the Super Bowl and we do love to look at the most immediate plays and think of that as being the greatest. I do put this play up there as being one of the greatest along with Marcus Allen's wonderful run against the Redskins.

2-08-2008 @ 7:19PM

PATS FAN said...

BRUNO- YOUR A BLEEPING IDIOTS, THE PATRIOTS WERE A GREAT TEAM ALL SEASON LONG. SO STOP THE HATING ON THEM, THE GIANTS SHOULD NOT HAVE WON THE SB. THEY ARE SO ARROGANT ITS PATHETIC, THEY MUST TAKE UP AFTER MICHAEL STRAHAN. SOME GIANYTS FANS HAVE MORE CLASS THEY KNOW WHEN TO GIVE THE OTHER TEAM CREDIT

2-08-2008 @ 7:43PM

Indigenous said...

That was a great play, right up there with Marcus Allen's great escape and touchdown romp vs. The Raiders.

2-08-2008 @ 8:11PM

I stand corrected, that was a great play right up there with Marcus Allen's great escape and touchdown romp vs. The Redskins.

2-08-2008 @ 11:51PM

PacoGerte said...

Spell-check, anyone? I can't think of a better play.

2-09-2008 @ 10:00AM

THEY NEED TO REVIEW THE PLAY THE GIANTS CHEATED, THE CLOCK STOPPED AND THE REFS DID NOTHING TO BLOW PLAY DEAD, THEY WANTED THE GIANTS TO WIN AND THE COIN TOSS IN THE BEGINNING WAS FIXED, NO WONDER WHY BRADY WASN'T HAPPY

2-09-2008 @ 2:21PM

drum4u65 said...

hey bruce learn how to spell and lay off the meth

2-10-2008 @ 8:12AM

tom said...

How do you fix a coin toss? Maybe it was a double-headed coin, and the Pats were too busy thinking of great they are. Were.

2-10-2008 @ 9:29PM

peter said...

i have been a giants fan for almost 40 years it was the best super bowl i watched but hats off to both teams

2-11-2008 @ 5:28PM

simmz said...

Patsfan at #8. Firstly, you and Bruce can turn your caps lock off. Secondly, before you go calling any Giants fans or players arrogant you should take a look at yourselves. Amani Toomer, who is one of the most well respected members on the team was quoted as saying that several Patriots players were inviting Giants players to their Super Bowl victory parties during the game. So don't act like your **** doesn't stink.

2-16-2008 @ 9:16PM

Richard said...

I have been an Ole Miss fan for 47 years, having watched Archie play both at Ole Miss and in the pros. I say Eli became Archie Manning on that fateful play. He looked just like his Dad did during his career escaping a sure tackle and completing the pass!