Gordon's 2 picks help derail Falcons

Click here for more on this story

Posted: Sunday January 31, 1999 11:49 PM

Back breaker: Darrien Gordon caught both his interceptions inside Denver's 30-yard line AP

MIAMI (AP) -- Darrien Gordon's two interceptions will put him in the Super Bowl history books. Getting tackled in the open field by Chris Chandler will put him in his teammates' doghouse.

Gordon's second-half interceptions were returned for a record 108 yards in Denver's 34-19 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound cornerback also had two interceptions in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets in the AFC championship game two weeks ago.

But Gordon was a little disappointed that he didn't take Sunday's interceptions for touchdowns, especially because he was tackled by Chandler, the Falcons' quarterback, on the first one.

"I took a shot to the head from Jamal Anderson in the first half, and I think that's why I lost my legs a little on the two returns," Gordon said. "I think I was knocked out for a few seconds.

"My family won't let me live it down that I was tackled by Chris Chandler, and my teammates will let me have it, too. I usually take those plays for touchdowns."

"You've got to beat the quarterback in the open field," defensive backfield teammate Tyrone Braxton said. "We won't let him get a big head about the interceptions."

Gordon credited defensive tackle Keith Traylor with deflecting the pass from Chandler that Gordon picked off in the third quarter. He returned it 58 yards to turn back one of seven Atlanta drives inside the Denver 30 that led to just 12 points for the Falcons.

"We were looking at the quarterback trying to get a good break on the ball, Traylor tipped it and I was able to get to the ball," Gordon said.

Gordon said he anticipated the Falcons' pass route on the second interception, that he returned 50 yards to stop another Falcons drive inside the 30.

"The route was the same one that [Kansas City's] Andre Rison beat us for a touchdown this season, and I was waiting for that one," Gordon said. "I think the second one really took the life out of them."

The two interceptions set single-game and career records for Super Bowl interception return yardage.

The previous records for a game and a career were 77 yards by Dallas' Larry Brown against Pittsburgh in 1996. Brown won the Super Bowl MVP for that performance.

Atlanta trailed 17-6 late in the third quarter and had a first-and-10 at the Denver 21 when Gordon caught the deflected pass and returned it 58 yards.

The most interceptions in a Super Bowl game is three by Rod Martin of Oakland against Philadelphia in 1981. The longest interception return is 75 yards by Willie Brown of Oakland against Minnesota in 1977.

Gordon said he was tired this week of hearing that the Broncos' secondary is the weak link of the team.

"Teams down 30 points have to throw the ball 50 times, and that leads to a lot of 300-yard passing games," he said. "The way our defense is set up, we try to stop the run and make the other team one-dimensional."

 

Related information
Stories
Elway earns Super Bowl MVP, ponders retirement Chandler falls apart in biggest game of life Broncos' Sharpe out with injured knee Falcons' Robinson beaten on 2nd-quarter Denver TD Broncos repeat as Super Bowl champs with 34-19 win over Falcons
Multimedia
Click here for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI.