Giants are Champs, Madonna Rocks at Super Bowl
The New York Giants became Super Bowl champions for the second time since 2008, defeating the New England Patriots by a score of 21 to 17, as Madonna and other pop and country luminaries provided an entertaining backdrop for the title game.
The game went down to the last minute as quarterback Eli Manning drove his squad down the field, throwing for a touchdown on the game winning drive. Tom Brady of the Patriots attempted a long pass in the last few seconds that fell beyond the grip of his receivers, giving New York the win.
The game was the main attraction but entertainers also had a supporting role.
Madonna rocked half time at Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday performing some of her greatest hits and a new song with an elaborate stage on the field of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The performance began with the pop queen dressed in what appeared to be a mix of Egyptian and Roman military and royal garb.
She entered the field led by a phalanx of bare-chested muscle-men dressed as warriors, later she donned pompoms, in keeping with the football venue.
Her performance included Vogue, Music, Give Me All Your Luvin and Like a Prayer.
Also on stage with Madonna was Nicky Minaj, M.I.A. and Cee Lo Green. In a move that may overshadow the tightly choreographed performance, M.I.A. made an obscene gesture, showing her middle finger toward the camera.
The game was a low-scoring affair early on, as the Patriots led the Giants 10 to 9 at the half
Ahead of the start of the game, Kelly Clarkson, backed by a choir of dozens of children, helped kick off Super Bowl XLV with a soulful rendition of the National Anthem at a packed Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Immediately preceding her performance, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert stood side by side to sing "America the Beautiful" as players and the crowd sang along.
On Friday, the streets of downtown Indianapolis a massive outdoor concert by band LMFAO, which drew thousands of fans. The event on Friday didn't go without incident however, with authorities reporting 13 minor injuries.
Related: M.I.A.'s Middle Finger Crashes Madonna's Super Bowl Set
Kelly Clarkson Sings Soulful National Anthem to Kick Off Super Bowl
