A lot of people were concerned about the New England Patriots having a decided speed advantage over the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXI.

They forgot one thing: the Desmond factor.

In what basically turned out to be a schoolyard shootout for the National Football League championship, it was the game's craftiest runner who turned the Louisiana Superdome into his own playground.

All week long Desmond Howard was singled out as a key factor in the Packers' chances against New England, but few thought that with one dynamic kick return he could negate everything the Patriots accomplished.

Howard, known mostly for his punt returns, turned the tables on the Patriots with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter, leading his team to a 35-21 victory.

As a result, he was named the most valuable player of the game, becoming the first special teams player to garner that award. He was selected by a panel of 15 sportswriters and broadcasters attending the game.