Thank God for the Super Bowl

ALL in all, Super Bowl XXXI proved to be a rather spiritual experience.

Most Valuable Player (MVP) Desmond Howard thanked the Lord, his Green Bay Packers team mate Reggie White claimed God had finally blessed him for a lifetime of observation, people leaving the Superdome in New Orleans were invited by loudspeaker to receive a bible by phoning 1-800-CALL-GOD and strategic placing of laser supertroopers meant fans could also observe a magical halo like effect in the darkened sky over the stadium.

The performance of the Green Bay Packers was pretty uplifting, too. Packers conspired to reclaim the Vince Lombardi Trophy - named after their former coach - with a 35-21 win over the New England Patriots, highlighted by Howard's record breaking 99 yard kick off return for a touchdown in the third quarter, which effectively broke Boston hearts. All the Patriots won on the day was the pregame toss.

Inspiring stuff, this top American football. Even the half time show was a glitzy, razzmatazz extravaganza of blues and rock. The sad death of a circus performer in practice on Friday meant a planned bungee jumping routine was dropped from the show and the mid game entertainment was dedicated to the memory of Dinky Patterson, the woman who died in the accident.

In the best Hollywood tradition, however, the show went on it proved to be an electrifying 20 minutes of entertainment, featuring the Blues Brothers, ZZ Top and James Brown, and culminating in the arrival of 100 Harley Davidsons.

As it transpired, the bikes made a bigger impact than intended. The exhaust smoke failed to clear in the massive dome and technicians were forced to alter the air conditioning, creating a wind effect, so that the players wouldn't be affected too much by the fumes.

The lavish show didn't outdo the game itself, however.

With Packers fans outnumbering Patriots by three to one and producing an almighty din, the team from Green Bay, population 96,000, proved to be kings. "Will this be the next America's team?

"It's up to the people, but I hope yes," said veteran defensive player White.

In the heat of the locker room after the game and, then, subsequently in the bowels of the giant stadium in the media centre, such matters were forgotten as Packers players paid homage to each other, all a bit like All Ireland victors really. The noticeable difference was in the terminology used each and every one of them was intent on thanking God first, and foremost for earning their Super Bowl rings, and the term "world champions" was spouted from their lips ad nauseum.

Confident guys, too. Howard, with a Super Bowl XXXI champions cap already placed on his crowning glory (the merchandisers apparently are as quick off the mark as any wide receiver), was keen on telling everyone that, yes, he always knew he was simply the best, despite flopping at his two previous clubs.

"I'm a world champ now, I'm the best at what I do," repeated Howard again and again, before surprising the assembled media mob by rising to move off, there being more important business at hand than fending questions from sports reporters. "I'll be back I just have to take a call from The White House."

Howard's adoption as MVP received acclaim from all his peers, but the game's hero was keen to pay tribute to his team mate Brett Favre. The quarterback with the Superman tattoo was a key figure in most of the Packers' plays, and Howard observed:

"Brett is my MVP of the season," he said.

Favre, playing in the biggest sporting event in the USA just 60 miles from his home town across the Mississippi, spent 46 days in a rehab clinic last year fighting an addiction to prescription painkillers, but concluded a storybook comeback to inspire a Super Bowl victory.

"I was a little more nervous than I thought I'd be," said Favre. "At the season's start, I kind of put my foot in my mouth saying Super Bowl or bust, so it is great that it has all worked out."

There was no moaning or bitching from the Patriot players or their backroom personnel; or, indeed, the team's supporters, who mixed freely with the green and gold bedecked Packers fans in hostelries around the Superdome after the match with not the slightest hint of trouble.

"We just cracked a little bit under the pressure," claimed Patriots coach Bill Parcells, who is reported to be moving on to other pastures next season. There was to be no farewell party, although the New Englanders certainly didn't suffer the blow out many experts had predicted in the pre match build up.

Favre's opposite number, Drew Bledsoe, was also gracious in defeat. "You watch Super Bowl year in and year out and the matches are won on big plays," said the quarterback, who threw four interceptions and was sacked five times. "The Packers made more big plays than we did. It is as simple as that."

Maybe, some day, Bledsoe can expect that call from The White House which had Howard scurrying away so fast. But he'll have to wait. Instead, the Packers could enjoy the honour and glory of being crowned world champions of American Football on their return to Wisconsin yesterday.