They Said It

(Neil) O’Donnell joins the most unfortunate of fraternities now. He becomes another goat of Super Sunday, the one player everyone will think of, everyone will question and historical films will revolve around whenever Super Bowl XXX is replayed through time.

The man who sunk Pittsburgh. The quarterback who cheated America. The goat who threw two passes to cornerback Larry Brown, the unlikeliest of Dallas stars who simply stood waiting for both balls like a rightfielder to arrive and spoil what was shaping to be that rarest of sports gems: A Super Bowl masterpiece.

Dave Hyde, Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

And the lesson of Barry Switzer getting to go round and round with the Super Bowl trophy in his arms for one night is this: Don’t be afraid to keep trying.

Sometimes, the clown is the only kid in class who knows the answer, and sometimes the kid who never studies aces the biggest exam of his life. Jim Litke, Associated Press

The National Football League, rocked by questions of loyalty, franchise upheaval and squabbles with Dallas Cowboy owner Jerry Jones, can still count on one enduring tradition: The National Football Conference beating the American Football Conference in the Super Bowl. T.J. Simers, Los Angeles Times

In other years the Super Bowl was never for sale. But this time it’s as if several months ago, Jerry Jones, the ostentatious owner of the Dallas Cowboys, strolled into Tiffany, only five midtown Manhattan blocks from the National Football League headquarters.

“That Lombardi Trophy in the window,” he told the manager. “I’ll take it.” Dave Anderson, New York Times

One thing about this contest that went according to form was the Steelers had O’Donnell in their cockpit and the Cowboys had Aikman. So on which airplane would you buy a seat? Randy Galloway, Dallas Morning News

As for the halftime show, it was appropriately sponsored by Oscar Mayer. What a bunch of baloney. Why do they keep bringing in these glorified Vegas lounge acts? And if I’ve just paid hundreds of dollars for a ticket, I’m not about to become part of a glorified card section. Oh, well, at least Diana Ross didn’t grab her crotch like her former Motown colleague, Michael Jackson. Steve Nidetz. Chicago Tribune

At long last, we were presented a Super Bowl worthy of all the madness it generates.

Alas, the Cowboys won anyway.

Not in the usual rout. Not with their usual swagger. And not so much because of what they did as what Neil O’Donnell, the Steelers’ quarterback, did for them. Bill Lyon, Philadephia Inquirer

Something new has been added to the Super Bowl. Suspense.

The rout is out. The guys who dig the coal, change the oil, drive the cab, run the barges, the guys in black didn’t win Super Bowl XXX, but they made the Dallas Cowboys sweat blood and turn in prayer to defense. Furman Bisher, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It has become customary for the AFC to get to the end of January and stink out the place. But the Steelers, back in the game for the first time in 16 years after winning it four times in the ‘70s, hung tough against the Cowboys - the best team Jerry Jones’ money can buy. Gary Myers, New York Daily News

Larry Brown? Doesn’t he coach the Indiana Pacers? You can color America’s Team all the glittery colors of the rainbow. Brown was never one of them.

But after picking off two crucial Neil O’Donnell passes Sunday night in the Cowboys’ 27-17 victory, Brown was not only the first defensive back to be named Super Bowl MVP since the Miami Dolphins’ Jake Scott 23 years ago in Super Bowl VII. He had found sweet vindication in the biggest game there is. Jeff Jacobs, Hartford Courant