Who Played in the Super Bowl 10 Years Ago
The Short Answer
The Super Bowl played 10 years ago took place in early February 2016. It marked the end of the 2015 NFL season. Two powerhouse franchises met inside University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and who played in the super bowl 10 years ago.
The Matchup: New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks
This was a rematch. The same two teams had clashed in Super Bowl XLIX just one year earlier.
The New England Patriots entered the game with a dominant regular season. They finished with a 12-4 record. Tom Brady threw for over 4,000 yards. The defense played suffocating football.
The Seattle Seahawks brought their trademark ferocity. Marshawn Lynch led the rushing attack. The Legion of Boom secondary remained the most feared grouping in the league. They had finished the regular season with a 10-5-1 record.
Key Players on the Patriots Roster
Tom Brady started at quarterback. He threw three touchdown passes in the game. Julian Edelman made clutch catches all night. Rob Gronkowski torched the Seattle defense for a touchdown.
On defense, Malcolm Butler made the game-sealing interception. Dont'a Hightower dominated the middle linebacker position. Devin McCourty matched up on the Seahawks' receivers all night long.
Key Players on the Seahawks Roster
Russell Wilson orchestrated the offense. Doug Baldwin caught a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Thomas Rawls provided a physical rushing threat when Lynch got injured.
The defensive side featured Richard Sherman. Earl Thomas called out coverage sounds. Kam Chancellor delivered punishing hits all evening.
The Score and Turning Point
The final score read 28-24 in favor of New England. A late interception by Malcolm Butler stopped Seattle on the one-yard line. That single play remains one of the most iconic finishes in football history.
Why This Game Still Matters
The result validated the Patriots' rebuild after the Deflategate suspension. It cemented Tom Brady's legacy as the greatest playoff quarterback of all time. For Seattle, it was another painful near-miss in the Super Bowl.
The Venue and Setting
University of Phoenix Stadium hosted the event on February 1, 2016. The halftime show featured Katy Perry. Cold Arizona temperatures made for a gripping, low-scoring atmosphere that held fans until the very last snap.
What Happened to Those Players Since Then
Tom Brady left New England after the 2019 season. He moved to Tampa Bay and won another championship in 2020. Russell Wilson still starts for Seattle. Malcolm Butler has bounced through several teams. Many of these stars have since retired or transitioned to new roles.
Final Thought
The 2015 Super Bowl delivered one of the greatest finishes ever played. Understanding who played in the Super Bowl 10 years ago means recognizing the rosters that defined an era of NFL football.