08 February,2010 09:31 AM IST | | Agencies
Tracy Porter returned an interception 74 yards for the clinching touchdown and the New Orleans Saints won the first Super Bowl in their 43-year history on Sunday, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 31-17.
Drew Brees threw two touchdown passes and the once-laughingstock Saints, playing in tribute to loyal supporters in a New Orleans still rebuilding from the 2005 devastation of Hurricane Katrina, were crowned National Football League kings.
Porter stepped in front of Colts receiver Reggie Wayne, picked off a pass from Indianapolis star Peyton Manning and returned it to the end zone to put the Saints ahead by the final score with 3:12 remaining.
Manning, who had engineered an NFL-best seven victory comebacks in the fourth quarter this season, drove the Colts to the New Orleans 3-yard line but a fourth-down incompletion with 44 seconds to play sealed the Saints' triumph.
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The Colts failed in a bid for their second title in four seasons.
Brees, who guided the NFL's top attack this season, and Manning, whose father Archie was a former Saints star, delivered on expectations for a passing showcase, their
combined completions a Super Bowl record.
Brees completed 32-of-39 passes for 288 yards and tied the Super Bowl record for completions. Manning completed 31-of-45 passes for 333 yards and a touchdown but one deadly interception.
Brees went 7-for-7 for 44 yards in marching the Saints 59 yards in 4:57, giving New Orleans the lead on a two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jeremy Shockey with 5:42 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Saints went for a two-point conversion pass that was ruled incomplete. New Orleans called for a video review and had the call overturned, Lance Moore being credited with possession in the end zone.
That gave New Orleans a 24-17 lead, meaning the Colts would need a touchdown and conversion kick simply to equalise.
Manning entered and had moved Indianapolis to the New Orleans 31-yard line when Porter made the interception that sealed the Saints' victory.
New Orleans recovered an onside kick to begin the second half and Brees quickly took advantage, marching the Saints 58 yards in just six plays as they took their first lead of the game.
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