Editing Super Bowl XX (section)

==Background==
===Host selection process===
[[File:NOLA Superdome 2012.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.75|The game was held at the [[Mercedes-Benz Superdome|Louisiana Superdome]].]]
NFL owners voted to award Super Bowl XX to [[New Orleans]] on December 14, 1982, at the owners' mid-season meeting held in [[Dallas]]. This would be the sixth time that New Orleans hosted the Super Bowl. [[Tulane Stadium]] was the site of [[Super Bowl IV|IV]], [[Super Bowl VI|VI]], and [[Super Bowl IX|IX]]; while the [[Caesars Superdome|Louisiana Superdome]] previously hosted [[Super Bowl XII|XII]] and [[Super Bowl XV|XV]]. Hosts for both [[Super Bowl XIX|XIX]] and XX would be selected, and potentially [[Super Bowl XXI|XXI]] as well. A total of ten cities put in bids: [[Palo Alto, California|Palo Alto]] ([[Stanford Stadium]]), [[New Orleans]] ([[Caesars Superdome|Superdome]]), [[Miami]] ([[Miami Orange Bowl|Orange Bowl]]), [[Houston]] ([[Rice Stadium (Rice University)|Rice Stadium]]), [[Seattle]] ([[Kingdome]]), [[Detroit]] ([[Pontiac Silverdome|Silverdome]]), [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]] ([[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]]), [[Tampa]] ([[Tampa Stadium]]), [[Anaheim, California|Anaheim]] ([[Angel Stadium|Anaheim Stadium]]), and [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]] ([[Gator Bowl Stadium|Gator Bowl]]). As part of their pitch, the representatives from New Orleans stressed that if they were not selected for XX, due to scheduling conflicts, they would not be able to host the Super Bowl again until 1990. [[Stanford Stadium]] was picked for [[Super Bowl XIX|XIX]],<ref name="TMN12-15-1982pg240">{{cite news|title=OB not Super enough for NFL (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119460993/|newspaper=The Miami News|page=24|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=December 15, 1982|accessdate=February 22, 2023}}{{Open access}}</ref> and [[Rice Stadium (Rice University)|Rice Stadium]] was speculated for XXI, but ultimately no decision was made for that game. Yet again, Miami was rejected, due to the aging condition of the [[Miami Orange Bowl|Orange Bowl]]. A proposed sales tax levy to pay for a new stadium had failed at the ballot box on November 2, further sinking any chances for [[South Florida]].<ref name="TMH12-15-1982pg100">{{cite news|title=OB not Super enough for NFL (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119460866/|newspaper=The Miami Herald|first1=Susan|last1=Sachs|page=100|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=December 15, 1982|accessdate=February 22, 2023}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="TMH12-15-1982pg106">{{cite news|title=OB not Super enough for NFL (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119460935/|newspaper=The Miami Herald|first1=Susan|last1=Sachs|page=106|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=December 15, 1982|accessdate=February 22, 2023}}{{Open access}}</ref>

===Chicago Bears===
[[File:1988 Lions Police - 09 Lomas Brown (Richard Dent crop).jpg|thumb|right|Richard Dent, a key part of the Bears' defense, was named MVP with his performance in Super Bowl XX.]]
[[File:Jim McMahon (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Chicago quarterback [[Jim McMahon]] scored two rushing touchdowns in the Super Bowl]]
{{main|1985 Chicago Bears season}}

Under head coach [[Mike Ditka]], who won the 1985 [[NFL Coach of the Year Award]], the Bears went 15–1 in the regular season, becoming the second NFL team to win 15 regular season games, while outscoring their opponents with a staggering margin of 456–198.

The Bears' defense, the "[[46 defense]]", allowed the fewest points (198), fewest total yards (4,135), and fewest rushing yards of any team during the regular season (1,319).  They also led the league in interceptions (34) and ranked third in sacks (64).

[[Pro Bowl]] quarterback [[Jim McMahon]] (who had the best season of his career) provided the team with a solid passing attack, throwing for 2,392 yards and 15 touchdowns (both career highs), while also rushing for 252 yards and three touchdowns. Running back [[Walter Payton]], who was then the NFL's all-time leading rusher with 14,860 yards, rushed for 1,551 yards. He also caught 49 passes for 500 yards, and scored 11 touchdowns. Linebacker [[Mike Singletary]] won the [[NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award]] by recording three sacks, three fumble recoveries, and one interception.

One of the most distinguishable players on defense was rookie lineman [[William Perry (American football)|William "The Refrigerator" Perry]], who came into training camp before the season weighing over 380 pounds. However, after Bears defensive coordinator [[Buddy Ryan]] told the press that the team "wasted" their first round draft pick on him, Perry lost some weight and ended up being an effective defensive tackle, finishing the season with five sacks. He got even more attention when Ditka started putting him in the game at the fullback position during offensive plays near the opponent's goal line. During the regular season, Perry rushed for two touchdowns, caught a pass for another touchdown, and was frequently a lead blocker for Payton during goal line plays.

The Bears' "46 defense" also had the following impact players: on the defensive line, [[Pro Bowl]]er and future [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]]r [[Richard Dent]] led the NFL in sacks (17), while Pro Bowler and future [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]]r [[Dan Hampton]] recorded 6.5 sacks, and nose tackle [[Steve McMichael]] compiled eight. In addition to Singletary, linebacker [[Otis Wilson]] had 10.5 sacks and three interceptions, while [[Wilber Marshall]] recorded four interceptions. In the secondary, defensive back [[Leslie Frazier]] had six interceptions, [[Mike Richardson (American football, born 1961)|Mike Richardson]] recorded four interceptions, [[Dave Duerson]] had five interceptions, and [[Gary Fencik]] recorded five interceptions and 118 tackles.

Chicago's main offensive weapon was Payton and the running game. A big reason for Payton's success was fullback [[Matt Suhey]] as the primary lead blocker. Suhey was also a good ball carrier, rushing for 471 yards and catching 33 passes for 295 yards. The team's rushing was also aided by Pro Bowlers [[Jim Covert]] and [[Jay Hilgenberg]] and the rest of the Bears' offensive line including Mark Bortz, Keith Van Horne, and Tom Thayer.

In their passing game, the Bears' primary deep threat was wide receiver [[Willie Gault]], who caught 33 passes for 704 yards, an average of 21.3 yards per catch, and returned 22 kickoffs for 557 yards and a touchdown. Tight end [[Emery Moorehead]] was another key contributor, catching 35 passes for 481 yards. Wide receiver [[Dennis McKinnon]] was another passing weapon, recording 31 receptions, 555 yards, and seven touchdowns.  On special teams, [[Kevin Butler (American football)|Kevin Butler]] set a rookie scoring record with 144 points, making 31 of 37 field goals (83%) and 51 of 51 extra points.

Meanwhile, the players brought their characterizations to the national stage with "[[The Super Bowl Shuffle]]", a [[hip hop music|rap]] song the Bears recorded for which they filmed a [[music video]] during the 1985 season. Although it was in essence a novelty song, it peaked at number 41 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' charts and even received a [[Grammy Award]] nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals|Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals]] in [[29th Grammy Awards|1987]].

===New England Patriots===
{{main|1985 New England Patriots season}}

The Patriots were a [[Cinderella (sports)|Cinderella team]] during the 1985 season because many sports writers and fans thought they were lucky to make the playoffs at all. New England began the season losing three of their first five games, but won six consecutive games to finish with an 11–5 record. However, the 11–5 mark only earned them third place in the [[AFC East]] behind the [[Miami Dolphins]] and the [[New York Jets]].

Quarterback [[Tony Eason]], in his third year in the NFL, was inconsistent during the regular season, completing 168 out of 299 passes for 2,156 yards and 11 touchdowns, but also 17 interceptions.   His backup, [[Steve Grogan]], was considered one of the best reserve quarterbacks in the league. Grogan was the starter in six of the Patriots' games, and finished the regular season with 85 out of 156 completions for 1,311 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.

Wide receiver [[Stanley Morgan]] provided the team with a good deep threat, catching 39 passes for 760 yards and 5 touchdowns. On the other side of the field, multi-talented wide receiver [[Irving Fryar]] was equally effective, catching 39 passes for 670 yards, while also rushing for 27 yards, gaining another 559 yards returning punts and kickoffs, and scoring 10 touchdowns. But like the Bears, the Patriots' main strength on offense was their rushing attack. Halfback [[Craig James (running back)|Craig James]] rushed for 1,227 yards, caught 27 passes for 370 yards, and scored 7 touchdowns. Fullback [[Tony Collins (American football)|Tony Collins]] rushed for 657 yards, recorded a team-leading 52 receptions for 549 yards, and scored 5 touchdowns. The Patriots also had an outstanding offensive line, led by Pro Bowl tackle [[Brian Holloway]] and future Hall of Fame guard [[John Hannah (American football)|John Hannah]].

New England's defense ranked 5th in the league in fewest yards allowed (5,048). Pro Bowl linebacker [[Andre Tippett]] led the AFC with 16.5 sacks and recovered 3 fumbles. Pro Bowl linebacker [[Steve Nelson (American football)|Steve Nelson]] was also a big defensive weapon, excelling at pass coverage and run stopping. Also, the Patriots' secondary only gave up 14 touchdown passes during the season, second fewest in the league. Pro Bowl defensive back [[Raymond Clayborn]] recorded 6 interceptions for 80 return yards and 1 touchdown, while Pro Bowler [[Fred Marion]] had 7 interceptions for 189 return yards.

===Playoffs===
{{See also|1985–86 NFL playoffs}}

In the playoffs, the Patriots qualified as the AFC's second [[wild card (sports)|wild card]].

But the Patriots, under head coach Raymond Berry, defied the odds, beating the [[New York Jets]] 26–14, [[Los Angeles Raiders]] 27–20, and the Dolphins 31–14 – all on the road – to make it to the Super Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - New England Patriots at New York Jets - December 28th, 1985 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198512280nyj.htm |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - New England Patriots at Los Angeles Raiders - January 5th, 1986 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198601050rai.htm |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship - New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins - January 12th, 1986 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198601120mia.htm |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref> The win against Miami had been especially surprising, not only because Miami was the only team to beat Chicago in the season, but also because New England had not won in the Orange Bowl (Miami's then-home field) since 1966, the Dolphins' first season (then in the [[American Football League|AFL]]). The Patriots had lost to Miami there 18 consecutive times, including a 30–27 loss in their 15th game of the season. But New England dominated the Dolphins in the AFC Championship Game, recording two interceptions from quarterback [[Dan Marino]] and recovering 4 fumbles. New England remains the only team to finish third in their division and qualify for the Super Bowl in the same season.

Meanwhile, the Bears became the first and only team in NFL history to shut out both of their opponents in the playoffs, beating the [[New York Giants]] 21–0 and the [[Los Angeles Rams]] 24–0.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - New York Giants at Chicago Bears - January 5th, 1986 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198601050chi.htm |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears - January 12th, 1986 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198601120chi.htm |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref>

===Super Bowl pregame news===
Much of the Super Bowl pregame hype centered on Bears quarterback [[Jim McMahon]]. First, he was fined by the NFL during the playoffs for a violation of the league's dress code, wearing a head band from [[Adidas]]. He then started to wear a head band where he hand-wrote "Rozelle", after then-league commissioner [[Pete Rozelle]].<ref name="Classic">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/McMahon_Jim.html|title=ESPN Classic - McMahon was a rebel without pause|website=[[ESPN]]}}</ref>

McMahon suffered a strained [[glute]] as the result of a hit taken in the NFC Championship Game and flew his acupuncturist into New Orleans to get treatment. During practice four days before the Super Bowl, he wore a headband reading "Acupuncture". During a Bears practice before the Super Bowl, McMahon [[Mooning|mooned]] a helicopter that was hovering over the practice.<ref name=Classic />

Another anecdote involving McMahon during the Super Bowl anticipation involved [[WDSU-TV|WDSU]] sports anchor [[Buddy Diliberto]] reporting a quote attributed to McMahon, where he had allegedly referred to the women of New Orleans as "[[slut]]s" on a local morning sports talk show. This caused wide controversy among the women of New Orleans and McMahon began receiving calls from irate fans in his hotel. A groggy McMahon, who had not been able to sleep well because of all the calls he had gotten, was confronted by Mike Ditka later that morning and denied making the statement, saying he would not have even been awake to make the comment when he was said to have done so. He was supported in his claim by WLS reporter Les Grobstein, who was present when the alleged statements were made.<ref>{{cite web|last=Taylor |first=Roy |url=http://www.bearshistory.com/seasons/1985chicagobears.aspx |title=BearsHistory.com |publisher=BearsHistory.com |access-date=August 24, 2012}}</ref> WDSU would later retract the statement, have an on-air apology read by the station's general manager during the noon newscast on January 23, and suspend Diliberto.<ref>{{cite web|title=In Brief|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-01-27.pdf|website=American Radio History|publisher=Broadcasting Magazine|access-date=March 26, 2017|page=145|date=January 27, 1986}}</ref>

As the [[Super Bowl#Home team designation|designated home team]] in the annual rotation between AFC and NFC teams, the Patriots wore their red jerseys with white pants, even though they wore white jerseys with red pants for all home games during the regular season. New England made the switch for the Super Bowl after winning vs. the Jets and Dolphins wearing red jerseys. The Bears donned their road white uniforms with navy pants.