Despite a shaky start the Indianapolis Colts defeated the Chicago Bears 29-17. Peyton Manning overcame an early interception to lead his team to a win, and finally proved his doubters wrong. The win also solidified Tony Dungy’s place in history as the first African American head coach to win a SuperBowl. Coach Dungy will also go into the history books as one of a select few who won a SuperBowl as both a player and a coach.

The opening minutes of the game seemed to be favoring the Bears as the rookie sensation Devin Hester ran back the opening kickoff 92 yards for the score. No other opening kickoff had ever been returned for a touchdown in SuperBowl History. On the next drive for the Colts, Manning had his pass intercepted by Chris Harris. Later in the quarter Manning would find a wide open Reggie Wayne for an easy 53 yard touchdown. After a fumbled kick return by the Bears the Colts returned the favor and fumbled the ball back on a bad handoff. Rex Grossman took advantage of the Colts’ mistake and threw a 4 yard touchdown pass to Muhsin Muhammad.

In the second quarter the Colts were able to convert a 29 yard field goal and would later score on a short touchdown run by Dominic Rhodes to put them up 16-14 at the half over the faltering Bears.

The Colts came out strong in the third quarter with a nearly 8 minute, 13 play drive that ended in a field goal by Vinatieri to put them up 19-14. The Indianapolis defense held the Bears offense in check througout the third quarter and they would only manage to score on a field goal by Robbie Gould.

The fourth quarter was more of the same for the struggling Bears offense as Grossman was intercepted on two consecutive possessions. One of the two picks would be returned 56 yards for a touchdown by Kelvin Hayden, and the other was returned by Bob Sanders 38 yards to set the Colts up in Bears territory.

The Chicago defense was unable to make up for the mistakes of quarterback Rex Grossman, and the Bears gave up too many big plays to the Colts. Manning’s efforts earned him the SuperBowl MVP honor, and the Colts will return to Indianapolis as the champions of the National Football League.