Super Bowl XXV was played on January 27, 1991 in Tampa, Florida. The New York Giants beat the Buffalo Bills 20 to 19.

The game

Super Bowl XXV was played under much patriotic fervor, due to the then-current Gulf War. The rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, sung by Whitney Houston, exemplified the rage for anything red, white, and blue at the time.

The game itself was a rousing affair, contrasting the grind-it-out Giants with the high flying, quick scoring Bills. New York practically ate up the entire 3rd quarter with one slow, steady drive. However, the game is mainly remembered for its dramatic final play. Bills placekicker Scott Norwood was, in the waning seconds of the 4th and final quarter, called in to attempt a 47-yard field goal, which would give the Bills a victory in their first Super Bowl appearance. The ball seemed on the right track at first, but by the time it had reached the goalposts, sailed wide right. The Giants had won their second Super Bowl, and the Bills would begin a dubious streak of four straight Super Bowl losses.

Giants head coach Bill Parcells retired shortly after winning his second Super Bowl at the Giants. However, he has coached three other teams since then: the New England Patriots (whom he helped bring to Super Bowl XXXI from 1993-1997, Giants Stadium tenant New York Jets from 1997-1999, and after another, slightly longer retirement, long-time divisional rivals Dallas Cowboys since 2003.

Giants running back Ottis Anderson was named Super Bowl MVP, carrying the ball 21 times for a total of 102 yards and one touchdown.

ABC televised the game in the United States, with announcers Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf, and Frank Gifford.

Scoring Summary

• NYG- FG Bahr 28
• BUF- FG Norwood 23
• BUF- D. Smith 1 run (Norwood kick)
• BUF- Safety, B. Smith tackled Hostetler in end zone
• NYG- Baker 14 pass from Hostetler (Bahr kick)
• NYG- Anderson 1 run (Bahr kick)
• BUF- Thomas 31 run (Norwood kick)
• NYG- FG Bahr 21

Playoffs

See NFL playoffs, 1990-91

Trivia

• For the first time, each player wore a Super Bowl logo patch on their jerseys. But this would not become a regular practice in Super Bowls until Super Bowl XXXII.