Green Bay Packers sealed their status as the most prolific champions in NFL history by beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 in Super Bowl XLV.
The victory marks the 13th title in the franchises history and its fourth in a Super Bowl. Even though this isnt a first-time occurrence in Packers history, it hasnt happened since 1997.
"Coach (Vince) Lombardi's trophy is finally going back home," Packers Coach Mike McCarthy said as he held the silver football on the postgame podium at Cowboys Stadium.
Thousands of fans bombarded the streets after the victory, screaming and honking their horns, high-fiving and hugging complete strangers.
"The Packers won, so I've got to do everything," said eighteen-year-old Stephanie Griep, who raced through the crowd with a Packer flag. "Go big or go home. They won so I got to go big."
The state of Wisconsin had been bursting with anticipation since Green Bay defeated its archrival, the Chicago Bears, two weeks ago. In the Packers' hometown, a blue-collar, industrial city of about 100,000 people dealing with another bleak northern winter, the excitement approached frenzy-like levels.
"I can't stop shaking," said Nikki Seitz, 30, of Green Bay, as fans tossed a roll of paper towels in the air behind her.
"I was so nervous the entire game. I couldn't enjoy it," said Alison Struve of DePere. "When I knew they were going to win it was like a release. I'm just sublimely happy. Just to be surrounded by so many people who care about this team. . . . It's more than a game. It seems bigger than that."
