The first weekend of February in 2005, more than 100,000 fans, media, football elite and A-list celebrities descended on Jacksonville for Super Bowl XXXIX.
As the smallest city ever to host a Super Bowl, five cruise ships were docked along the St. Johns River to make up for the city's lack of hotel rooms.
Pro football's interactive theme park, the NFL Experience, opened on the Southbank the weekend before the big game to let locals and visitors get a feel for the game.
An estimated 50,000 people visited the Experience.
Protecting the fans and the city was no small feat in the River City.
As the game neared, focus turned to football game to be held at what was then called Alltel Stadium.
No surprise that Tom Brady attracted the largest crowd at media day.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens tosses a football before the game.
Even at an average price of $550, tickets were in short supply. The game drew a crowd of 78,125 fans.
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The Florida A&M Marching 100 enters Alltel Stadium.
Former presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton meet with some of the officiating crew before the corn toss.
The Black Eyed Peas, Earth Wind & Fire and Charlie Daniels are among some of the pre-game performers before kickoff of Super Bowl XXXIX.
Keys sang "America the Beautiful," paying tribute to Ray Charles, who died in June 2004.
Charlie Daniels performed "The Devil Went Down to Georgia."
Then came football. New England Patriots' Tedy Bruschi sacks Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb in the first quarter.
Eagles tight end L.J. Smith celebrates his six-yard second quarter touchdown.
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Patriots wide receiver David Givens catches a four-yard pass from quarterback Tom Brady for a touchdown to even the score at 7-7 before halftime.
This Patriots fan had much to cheer about.
Both head coaches in that 2005 game are still working, although Eagles head coach Andy Reid in this game is now with the Kansas City Chiefs, and in Super Bowl LIV.
Halftime of Super Bowl XXXIX was headlined by Paul McCartney, considered a safe choice by the NFL after the previous year's wardrobe malfunction during Janet Jackson's performance.
McCartney's set featured four classics -- "Drive My Car," "Get Back," "Live And Let Die" and "Hey Jude" -- and ended with fireworks.
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Patriots' Mike Vrabel hauls in a 2-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tom Brady for the first score of the sceond half.
Eagles runningback Brian Westbrook celebrates a 10-yard reception for a touchdown, tying the score at 14 in the third quarter.
Fans celebrate as Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri makes good on his 22-yard fourth quarter field goal. New England leads 24-14.
Eagles wide receiver Greg Lewis makes a 30-yard touchdown reception under pressure for the final score of Super Bowl XXXIX. Final score: Patriots 24, Eagles 21.
New England head coach Bill Belichick is doused after the Patriot's third Super Bowl win in four years.. At right is Belichick's father, Steve.
Super Bowl XXXIX Most Valuable Player Deion Branch of the New England Patriots holds up the Vince Lombardi trophy.
Patriots' Tedy Bruschi celebrates with his sons, Tedy Jr., right, and Rex.
The city spent $1.4 million to widen sidewalks and add landscapting along Bay Street between Liberty and Ocean streets before the Super Bowl. It became part of a three-mile pedestrian mall called Super Fest and featured temporary sports apparel stores, restaurants and bars to storefronts along what we now call the Elbow District.
Associated Press
The first weekend of February in 2005, more than 100,000 fans, media, football elite and A-list celebrities descended on Jacksonville for Super Bowl XXXIX.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The first weekend of February in 2005, more than 100,000 fans, media, football elite, former presidents and A-list celebrities descended on Jacksonville for Super Bowl XXXIX.
We’re the smallest city ever to host a Super Bowl, but we attracted a huge crowd to watch the New England Patriots take on the Philadelphia Eagles.
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The Super Bowl XXXIX was held at the Everbank Stadium on Feb. 6, 2005.
Whether you were in Northeast Florida then and want to relive the memories or you are new to the area and want to see the River City’s biggest party, flip through the gallery of photos at the top of this story.
Marcela joined News4JAX in 2023. She grew up in Mexico and eventually moved to California to pursue her dream of becoming a journalist. Now, she is a proud San Diego State University alumna who has many years of experience in TV and digital journalism.
