Payton will also go down in Super Bowl history for calling an onside kick at the start of the second half of the game. Usually onside kicks are attempted in the final period of a game as a team finds themselves behind on the scoreboard and in need of an extra possession to try and mount a comeback. This is the first time that an onside kick had been attempted before the final period of a Super Bowl.

After scoring a touchdown to put the Saints ahead, Payton made yet another daring decision with 5:46 left in the game. The score was 22-17, and kicking an extra point would only mean a 6 point lead, however, a 2 point conversion attempt would mean a 7 point lead and if the Indianapolis Colts scored after that the score would be tied. Quaterback Drew Brees tossed a pass to wide receiver Lance Moore in the front right corner of the end zone, and as he fell, he extended the ball over the goal line. The 2 point conversion attempt paid off.

So what is an onside kick and a two point conversion you may be asking? Both are risky plays, sometimes viewed as “trick plays”, but if executed properly and done successfully, they can help a team shake up their opponent in to rethinking their strategy.
Details of an onside kick and a two point conversion can be found in the “Pink Playbook”.