Super Bowl notes: University of Phoenix Stadium roof left open for game
University of Phoenix Stadium has a retractable roof, and it was open for Super Bowl XLIX. There was some question whether the roof would be closed after it rained in the Phoenix area for much of last week, but the skies were clear and the temperature was 66 degrees at kickoff Sunday.
The roof is often closed for Arizona Cardinals home games, as it was when the Chiefs played here on Dec. 7, because the Cardinals want to hold in the crowd noise. But the Super Bowl is considered a neutral site. The roof was open for last week’s Pro Bowl, too.
Britt in the lineup
Seattle rookie offensive lineman Justin Britt, the Seahawks’ second-round pick from Missouri, started at right tackle. Britt missed the NFC Championship Game because of a knee injury.
To make room for Britt on the 53-man active roster, rookie tackle Garry Gilliam, who caught a 19-yard touchdown pass off a fake field goal against the Packers in the NFC title game, was one of the Seahawks’ inactive players.
Injury report
Seattle cornerback Jeremy Lane left the Super Bowl in the first quarter because of an arm injury suffered while returning an interception.
Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril left the game in the third quarter because of concussion-like symptoms.
Brady makes more history
New England quarterback Tom Brady’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Danny Amendola in the fourth quarter was his 12th all-time in the Super Bowl, breaking Joe Montana’s record for career TD passes. Brady got No. 13 on a 3-yard touchdown pass to Julian Edelman later in the fourth quarter.
Brady’s 53 postseason touchdowns are also the most ever.
Hall of Famers introduced
Former Chiefs guard Will Shields and the rest of the eight-man class elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday night were introduced to the crowd during the first timeout of the first quarter.
Fit to be tied
The 14-14 score at halftime marked the third time in Super Bowl history that a game was tied at intermission.
The last time was in Super Bowl XXXIX following the 2004 season, when New England and Andy Reid’s Philadelphia Eagles were tied 7-7 before the Patriots won 24-21.
To reach Randy Covitz, call 816-234-4796 or send email to rcovitz@kcstar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @randycovitz.
This story was originally published February 1, 2015 at 11:39 PM with the headline "Super Bowl notes: University of Phoenix Stadium roof left open for game."