Tom Bradyand Bill Bilichick

Super Bowl XLIX was expected to be historic. 

The New England Patriots’ Tom Brady and Bill Belichick were working toward cementing their legacies. The Seattle Seahawks were hoping to be the first team since, well the Patriots, to repeat as Champions. 

All of the hype leading up to the game was warranted and the records that fell during the game were proof. Now that we have had a chance to digest our wings, buffalo chicken dip and the Patriots’ thrilling come-from-behind victory, lets take a look at how the record books were rewritten during and leading up to the big game.

TOM BRADY

Whether or not the Pats’ quarterback is the greatest of all time is unfortunately something we here at Guinness World Records cannot claim. Nevertheless, we can certainly verify his many records that are helping strengthen his argument for being considered the best ever. 

With a historic performance in the Patriots’ victory of the Seahawks, his record-tying fourth win, Brady was named MVP, which was also a record-tying third time winning the honor. 

Heading into the Super Bowl, Brady had already held the Super Bowl records for most passing yards and completions in a career and he increased those numbers in the victory. He added to his resume by setting the record for most completions in a Super Bowl game with 37 (and most passes with 50 for that matter). He also broke his childhood hero Joe Montana’s record for most touchdown passes in a career in the Super Bowl with 13 total. Let’s also not forget that Brady now also holds the records for the most passing yards in a postseason career (7,345) and most touchdown passes in a postseason career (53).

BILL BELICHICK

Whether you like the coach or not, there is no denying he is a coaching mastermind and his teams’ results on the field are proof of that. He tied two of the biggest coaching records possible for anyone still doubting his place amongst the greats. By beating up on the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship Game, Belichick went into the Super Bowl tied for the record for the most appearances in history with six, tying legendary coach Don Shula. And when his team soaked him in light blue Gatorade as the clock ticked to zero Sunday night, Belichick tied Chuck Noll for the most wins as a coach in Super Bowl history. He also increased his record for postseason victories to 22 and he tied Dan Reaves with nine appearances in the Super Bowl — as both a player and coach. 

TV HISTORY

With two great teams battling it out on the field, not to mention a half-time show featuring Katy Perry, the Guinness World Records title holder for most Twitter followers, NBC’s broadcast of Super Bowl 49 became the most viewed TV broadcast in US history

There was an audience of 114.4 million viewers for the game, which topped the previous record set last year. During a 15 minute span in the thrilling fourth quarter, there were 120.8 million total viewers.

Katy Perry’s performance, which featured appearances by Lenny Kravitz, Missy Elliot and dancing beach balls, was viewed by 118.5 million people, making it the most viewed Halftime Performance in history (topping Bruno Mars last year). The viewership records only further prove why major brands are willing to spend $4.5 million dollars for a 30-second advertisement during the game. 

OTHER RECORDS

Records weren’t only set during the game as Guinness World Records titles were set all over Arizona leading up to the game. On Thursday before the game, NFL stars Drew Brees and Odell Beckham Jr set the record for the most one-handed catches in one minute on the set of ESPN’s NFL Live with 33 amazing grabs. The attempt was sponsored by Visa and we expect every high school quarterback and receiver with a camera to attempt to dethrone the duo in the coming weeks.

Earlier in the week, All-Pro cornerback of the Arizona Cardinals Patrick Peterson took 1,449 selfies in one hour with the help of students and faculty at Deer Valley High School in Glendale to smash the existing record by more than doubling the mark. Patrick’s arm had to have been hurting as he kept it up for the entire hour, as a different person came up behind his shoulder to cheese for the camera with the star player.

Unfortunately, not a single one of the 1,449 people blew in Peterson’s ear a la Lance Stephenson and Lebron James. 

And a two weeks prior to the big game, the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee broke the record for the largest game of Red Light, Green Light with 1,136 school children from elementary schools across the Phoenix area. 

The fun record took place at Super Bowl XLIX Legacy Field at Arizona State University Preparatory Academy in downtown Phoenix and it promoted healthy lifestyles amongst children in the area.