Veteran Packers Woodson, Driver injured
The Packers' Charles Woodson breaks up a pass intended for Steelers receiver Mike Wallace during the second quarter of Super Bowl XLV. (Feb. 6, 2011) Credit: MCT
ARLINGTON, Texas - Two of the most experienced Packers who were waiting the longest for this Super Bowl experience had only an abbreviated one.
Cornerback Charles Woodson spoke many times last week about his return to the Super Bowl after a disappointing trip with the Raiders almost a decade ago. But the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year did not even make it into the second half. Neither did 12-year veteran receiver Donald Driver, who left the game after suffering an ankle injury on his only reception.
Woodson left the game late in the second quarter after he dove for a deep pass and injured his collarbone.
He wasn't the only Packers defensive back injured. Green Bay started the second half without starter Sam Shields, who also suffered a shoulder injury. Despite the injuries, the Packers continued to play with five defensive backs in the second half.
Steelers rookie receiver Emmanuel Sanders left the game with a foot injury and did not return.
Brady named MVP
Tom Brady became the first unanimous winner of The Associated Press Most Valuable Player Award, earning all 50 votes from a panel of nationwide media. It is Brady's second MVP award; he also won in 2007, when the Patriots went 16-0 in the regular season but lost to the Giants in Super Bowl XLII.
Brady had a record streak of 355 throws without an interception this season, and he had 36 touchdown passes and four interceptions. He threw four touchdown passes in a game on two occasions and had three touchdown passes in four other games.
Sights and sounds
Perhaps the loudest cheers for a non-participant shown on the large video screen at Cowboys Stadium came for former President George W. Bush. A shot of Alex Rodriguez and Cameron Diaz drew some boos . . . The Packers have been in five Super Bowls and have scored first in each . . . The total attendance at the game, including credentialed media, was 103,219. There were 91,060 paying fans. In the last census, the population of Green Bay was 102,313.
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