Super Bowl XXI marked the debut of two enduring NFL and pop culture traditions.
In short: Played on January 25, 1987, Super Bowl XXI saw the New York Giants defeat the Denver Broncos 39–20. While the game itself featured a record-breaking performance by MVP Phil Simms, it is equally remembered for cementing the Gatorade shower and the iconic I am going to Disney World marketing campaign.
The 1987 matchup at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, was a tale of two halves. The Broncos, led by quarterback John Elway, held a 10–9 lead at halftime, the narrowest margin in Super Bowl history. However, the Giants' Big Blue Wrecking Crew defense stifled Denver, holding them to just 2 net yards in the third quarter. The Giants scored 26 unanswered points during the second half, setting a record with 30 total points scored after the break.
Phil Simms delivered a historic performance, completing 22 of 25 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns. His 88% completion rate remains a Super Bowl and NFL postseason record. This victory secured the Giants' first NFL title since 1956. For the Broncos, the loss initiated a decade of Super Bowl frustration, as they would return to the championship game twice more in the following three years, losing both by wide margins.
Beyond the field, the broadcast introduced several cultural staples. The Gatorade shower, which began with the Giants during the 1986 season, gained national prominence after players doused coach Bill Parcells following the win. Additionally, Simms became the first athlete to star in the I am going to Disney World commercial, a campaign that became a fixture of post-game celebrations. The broadcast also featured the first use of Dolby Surround sound in an NFL game and marked the first time the game was televised in the Philippines and live in Rome.
The event was also notable for a technical milestone: the first use of instant replay in a Super Bowl. During a second-quarter drive, officials reviewed a pass to tight end Clarence Kay. Although the booth upheld the initial ruling of an incomplete pass, CBS later broadcast a reverse-angle replay showing the catch was clean, highlighting the limitations of the technology at the time.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Super Bowl XXI
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