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#1. The 1971 Super Bowl Is Considered One Of The Worst Super Bowls of All Time.
The 1971 Super Bowl holds the record for the most turnovers of any Super Bowl in history, with 11 total turnovers in the game.
The game was sloppy, even if the turnovers are not counted. There were many lost opportunities with penalties, dropped passes, and missed field goals.
The Dallas Cowboys missed many opportunities that left too many openings for the Colts to stay in the game and would eventually result in a Colts victory.
#2. Earl Morrall Found Redemption
In the 1969 Super Bowl, Morrall was the Colts quarterback due to an injury to Unitas. He would be blamed for that loss, but he would find redemption in 1971.
Johnny Unitas started the game, but after taking a shot from a Dallas Cowboys defensive player, he was replaced with Earl Morral, who inherited a 13 - 6 Cowboy lead.
Despite Morrall being the winning quarterback, he really did not lead the team to a victory. It was the Colts defense that would hold the line and cover for their offensive mistakes.
#3. Chuck Howley was a Unique MVP
Chuck Howley played for the Dallas Cowboys, and the Dallas Cowboys did not win the game.
Due to how sloppy the game was and the two defenses keeping their teams in the game, it fell on whatever defensive player was having the best game.
This would not happen today, but it did happen then.
Howley recorded 2 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery. Unfortunately, sacks and other defensive stats were not kept at that time, but he had one of the best games of his career.
#4. The Southeast Missouri State Marching Band Performed At Half Time
The Super Bowl halftime show was headlined by the Southeast Missouri State Marching Band, with Anita Bryant as a guest. Up with People were also included as performers.
This was the third time that the Southeast Missouri State Marching Band had performed at the Miami Orange Bowl, having previously performed during the halftime of the 1969 and 1969 Orange Bowl games.
The band was directed by LeRoy Mason. During their stay in Miami for the game, the band was accommodated at the McAllister Hotel.
During the roughly 13-minute performance, floats representing each of the league's 26 teams were utilized. Members of two high school bands were utilized to form a geographic outline of the United States.
In the performance, Bryant, standing on a float, sang "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Bryant was the performer featured in a Super Bowl halftime show as a solo performer (as opposed to a member of a group).
The arrangement of this song that was performed was created by her musical director, Charles Bird, and had been created for the band to accompany her. It had been adapted from a previous recording Bryant had done of the tune. (Wikipedia)
#5. Don McCafferty Was A Rookie Head Coach
The last time the Colts were in the Super Bowl was when Don Shula was their head coach. Shula would go on to have a storied career and coach for multiple decades.
In the 1971 Super Bowl, the opposing coach was the innovative Tom Landry, who would also coach the Cowboys until the late 80s.
Don McCafferty had been hired by the Colts in 1970 and would become the first Rookie head coach to win a Super Bowl.
This feat would not be repeated until George Seifert did it in the 1990 Super Bowl when the 49ers scorched the Denver Broncos.
#6. It Was Tom Landry's First Loss
Tom Landry will go down as one of the most innovative coaches to ever be in the game. His offensive innovations changed a failing franchise into a team that would become the most popular team in the nation and the winningest.
However, the Cowboys had gained a reputation as the team that could not win the big game. After finally reaching the Super Bowl, he lost in a very sloppy game.
Landry would eventually get his Super Bowl, and the critics would quiet down.