Official website of the New England Patriots
Super Bowl XXXI
The New England Patriots take on the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXI on January 26, 1997 at the Louisiana Superdome.
![New England Patriots coach Bill Parcells reacts to second quarter action against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XXXI at the Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997. (AP Photo/John Gaps III)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/j3nkvuhha9wgzaatv9ag.jpg)
New England Patriots coach Bill Parcells reacts to second quarter action against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XXXI at the Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997. (AP Photo/John Gaps III)
![New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe (11) huddles with his teammates during the NFL Super Bowl XXXI game against the Green Bay Packers on January 26, 1997, in New Orleans. The Packers defeated the Patriots 35-21. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/bcaconoodhq2qs2sioo4.jpg)
New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe (11) huddles with his teammates during the NFL Super Bowl XXXI game against the Green Bay Packers on January 26, 1997, in New Orleans. The Packers defeated the Patriots 35-21. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
![New England Patriots offense lines up against the Green Bay Packers defense during the NFL Super Bowl XXXI game on January 26, 1997, in New Orleans. The Packers defeated the Patriots 35-21. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/glqx3xr3i2wtbq8vgip6.jpg)
New England Patriots offense lines up against the Green Bay Packers defense during the NFL Super Bowl XXXI game on January 26, 1997, in New Orleans. The Packers defeated the Patriots 35-21. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
![New England Patriots Curtis Martin plays in Super Bowl XXXI against Green Bay Packers at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans LA. on January 26,1997.
(AP Photo by Tom DiPace)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/znk5qlukozjfgp3dunpi.jpg)
New England Patriots Curtis Martin plays in Super Bowl XXXI against Green Bay Packers at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans LA. on January 26,1997. (AP Photo by Tom DiPace)
![* FILE * Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre reacts after his touchdown pass to Andre Rison during the first quarter of Super Bowl XXXI at the Superdome in New Orleans, in this Jan. 26, 1997 file photo. Brett Favre has decided to retire from the NFL after 17 seasons. FOX Sports first reported Tuesday March 4, 2008 that the Green Bay Packers quarterback informed the team in the last few days. (AP Photo/Doug Mills, file)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/qiwilofi2vttounke5fn.jpg)
FILE Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre reacts after his touchdown pass to Andre Rison during the first quarter of Super Bowl XXXI at the Superdome in New Orleans, in this Jan. 26, 1997 file photo. Brett Favre has decided to retire from the NFL after 17 seasons. FOX Sports first reported Tuesday March 4, 2008 that the Green Bay Packers quarterback informed the team in the last few days. (AP Photo/Doug Mills, file)
![FILE - IN this Jan. 26, 1997, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe throws as Green Bay Packers' Reggie White (92) and Santana Dotson, right, defend during NFL football's Super Bowl XXXI against the New England Patriots in New Orleans. The Packers' defense took over in the fourth quarter, intercepting Bledsoe twice, and preventing the Patriots from crossing midfield in four possessions and the Packers won 35-21. (AP Photo/Eric Draper, File)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/kgbfnmf01rmgnbykqbis.jpg)
FILE - IN this Jan. 26, 1997, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe throws as Green Bay Packers' Reggie White (92) and Santana Dotson, right, defend during NFL football's Super Bowl XXXI against the New England Patriots in New Orleans. The Packers' defense took over in the fourth quarter, intercepting Bledsoe twice, and preventing the Patriots from crossing midfield in four possessions and the Packers won 35-21. (AP Photo/Eric Draper, File)
![The Superdome is awash in colors during halftime of Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/js6dupcxbcoa8b2vexvh.jpg)
The Superdome is awash in colors during halftime of Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
![The New England Patriots attempt to block a field goal in the first quarter of Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997 at the Superdome in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/lwadyyrzcgbu3nqgm2q9.jpg)
The New England Patriots attempt to block a field goal in the first quarter of Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997 at the Superdome in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
![New England Patriots' Keith Byars (41) celebrates his first-quarter touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/vdcmgjbwshxzdobvvq1v.jpg)
New England Patriots' Keith Byars (41) celebrates his first-quarter touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
![New England Patriots head coach Bill Parcells, right, congratulates Green Bay Packers coach Mike Holmgren after the Packers defeated the Patriots 35-21 in Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans Sunday Jan. 26, 1997. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/sjy5ck9ht4czd7zwxpdk.jpg)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Parcells, right, congratulates Green Bay Packers coach Mike Holmgren after the Packers defeated the Patriots 35-21 in Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans Sunday Jan. 26, 1997. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
![New England Patriots' Keith Byars, left, congratulates Curtis Martin after Martin scored in the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans Sunday Jan. 26, 1997. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/rmvqzjowlmgioivwjzwm.jpg)
New England Patriots' Keith Byars, left, congratulates Curtis Martin after Martin scored in the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans Sunday Jan. 26, 1997. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
![New England Patriots coach Bill Parcells watches his team against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter of Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/pzkz7z4ommgbrxkpchm5.jpg)
New England Patriots coach Bill Parcells watches his team against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter of Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
![New England Patriots' David Meggett (22) runs with the ball as Green Bay Packers' Jeff Thomason tries to bring him down in the second quarter of Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997 at the Superdome in New Orleans.(AP Photo/Dave Martin)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/s59mwqb9a491puqszdme.jpg)
New England Patriots' David Meggett (22) runs with the ball as Green Bay Packers' Jeff Thomason tries to bring him down in the second quarter of Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997 at the Superdome in New Orleans.(AP Photo/Dave Martin)
![Smoke rises from the field during pre-game festivities for Super Bowl XXXI at the Superdome in New Orleans Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/xvqysdbsa23xhlivg9n2.jpg)
Smoke rises from the field during pre-game festivities for Super Bowl XXXI at the Superdome in New Orleans Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
![New England Patriots' Keith Byars runs through Green Bay Packers defenders during the first quarter of Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997, in New Orleans. At right is Patriots' Bob Kratch (61) (AP Photo/Hans Deryk)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/vyrgzmhyjqfjwzo6hpgj.jpg)
New England Patriots' Keith Byars runs through Green Bay Packers defenders during the first quarter of Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997, in New Orleans. At right is Patriots' Bob Kratch (61) (AP Photo/Hans Deryk)
![Green Bay Packers' Andre Rison (84) tries to catch a pass in the second quarter of Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997 at the Superdome in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/wjpcwo0heqakghren4yd.jpg)
Green Bay Packers' Andre Rison (84) tries to catch a pass in the second quarter of Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997 at the Superdome in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
![New England Patriots Keith Byars sits on the bench after the Patriots lost to the Green Bay Packers 35-21 in Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997, in New Orleans. The Packers won 35-21. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/ge4kn4fozwi9ft62ihfe.jpg)
New England Patriots Keith Byars sits on the bench after the Patriots lost to the Green Bay Packers 35-21 in Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997, in New Orleans. The Packers won 35-21. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
![Green Bay Packers LeRoy Butler, left, pulls down New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe during Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans Sunday Jan. 26, 1997. Patriots David Meggett (22) tries to block Butler. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/gpfldfdj3uvvjeera2is.jpg)
Green Bay Packers LeRoy Butler, left, pulls down New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe during Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans Sunday Jan. 26, 1997. Patriots David Meggett (22) tries to block Butler. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
![New England Patriots Hason Graham (81) returns the opening kickoff against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter of Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/uovijwjb4doyuvp8xcby.jpg)
New England Patriots Hason Graham (81) returns the opening kickoff against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter of Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
![Green Bay Packers' Desmond Howard (81) returns a 99-yard kickoff return against the New England Patriots during the third quarter of Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997, in New Orleans. Patroit's Mike McGruder follows the play. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/z8cxe4qcj3suivkhwpwy.jpg)
Green Bay Packers' Desmond Howard (81) returns a 99-yard kickoff return against the New England Patriots during the third quarter of Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997, in New Orleans. Patroit's Mike McGruder follows the play. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
![Green Bay Packers' Desmond Howard (81) heads out on a 99-yard kickoff return during the third quarter against New England Patriots during Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/cx7c6rpfmwusnzuhy2jg.jpg)
Green Bay Packers' Desmond Howard (81) heads out on a 99-yard kickoff return during the third quarter against New England Patriots during Super Bowl XXXI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
![New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe (11) sets to pass against the Green Bay Packers at Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans on January 26, 1997. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/rmxyno8cffhfrcpyfyzk.jpg)
New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe (11) sets to pass against the Green Bay Packers at Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans on January 26, 1997. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
![scan0057](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/yr2dsj1zjlhzqrxphx89.jpg)
![New England Patriots All-Pro tight end Ben Coates drags a pair of Green Bay Packers along for the ride after a pass reception at Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans on January 26, 1997. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/ufvx1jsgw5cafzsoexgu.jpg)
New England Patriots All-Pro tight end Ben Coates drags a pair of Green Bay Packers along for the ride after a pass reception at Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans on January 26, 1997. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
![Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre (4) sneaks into the corner of the endzone for a 2-yard touchdown run during Super Bowl XXXI, a 35-21 victory over the New England Patriots on January 26, 1997, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Super Bowl XXXI - New England Patriots vs Green Bay Packers - January 26, 1997 (AP Photo/NFL Photos)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/miuc9bpepgn5fjs7y2n3.jpg)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre (4) sneaks into the corner of the endzone for a 2-yard touchdown run during Super Bowl XXXI, a 35-21 victory over the New England Patriots on January 26, 1997, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Super Bowl XXXI - New England Patriots vs Green Bay Packers - January 26, 1997 (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
![Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre (4) gets his pass off despite the pressure from New England Patriots linebacker Chris Slade (53) during Super Bowl XXXI, a 35-21 Green Bay Packers victory over the New England Patriots on January 26, 1996, at the (AP Photo/NFL Photos)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/duofyomlkjmw45t4xekc.jpg)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre (4) gets his pass off despite the pressure from New England Patriots linebacker Chris Slade (53) during Super Bowl XXXI, a 35-21 Green Bay Packers victory over the New England Patriots on January 26, 1996, at the (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
![scan0009](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/ztgfnuba0sn8vbjw6n4v.jpg)
![Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre (4) looks downfield during Super Bowl XXXI, a 35-21 Green Bay Packers victory over the New England Patriots on January 26, 1996, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/swfwjsxyvqvewzdfuei5.jpg)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre (4) looks downfield during Super Bowl XXXI, a 35-21 Green Bay Packers victory over the New England Patriots on January 26, 1996, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
![Super Bowl XXXI Program cover. Super Bowl XXXI - New England Patriots vs Green Bay Packers - January 26, 1997 (AP Photo/NFL Photos)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/n8yh9rysbrmxejserb8m.jpg)
Super Bowl XXXI Program cover. Super Bowl XXXI - New England Patriots vs Green Bay Packers - January 26, 1997 (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
![Quarterback Drew Bledsoe (11) of the New England Patriots drops back to pass during the NFL Super Bowl XXXI game against the Green Bay Packers on January 26, 1997 in New Orleans. The Packers defeated the Patriots 35-21. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/kmoh0hjbsitlcyui62gc.jpg)
Quarterback Drew Bledsoe (11) of the New England Patriots drops back to pass during the NFL Super Bowl XXXI game against the Green Bay Packers on January 26, 1997 in New Orleans. The Packers defeated the Patriots 35-21. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)