Education Technology

The New York Giants Super Bowl Play - Triangles, Anlges, Distances, and Time

Activity Overview

In this activity, students will use properties of triangles to determine how long the Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning must wait to throw the ball to his star receiver, Plaxico Burress in the end zone in the "Fade Pattern" to the left side of the end zone. This was the game winning play that unexpectedly helped the New York Giants win Super Bowl XLII over the New England Patroits. We will also need to calculate Eli Manning's throwing angle on this play.

Before the Activity

Handout the problem introduction and steps to the students. Show your students the play for which this problem is based--the game winning throw during Super Bowl XLII from Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress play on the NFL internet site, (http://www.nfl.com/videosvideoId=09000d5d8067d424). Go over any questions students may have about football or about what is expected of them in this problem.

During the Activity

Give students the separate worksheet (1 through 7) for each step of the problem.

After the Activity

Have student present results to the class. Discuss other football patterns that we could have used instead of the "fade" pattern.