Nearly a decade later, Super Bowl LI still refuses to fade from the NFL’s collective memory. What began as a dominant night for the Atlanta Falcons turned into the most infamous collapse in championship history—and on its ninth anniversary, the league itself reopened the wound. But this time, a former Falcons wide receiver delivered the internet’s favorite three-word response.
From the iconic 28–3 Super Bowl comeback to a viral social media clapback, here’s how one of football’s most unforgettable nights once again took over the conversation ahead of Super Bowl LX.
Super Bowl LI History: How the Patriots’ 28–3 Comeback Changed the NFL Forever
Super Bowl LI was played on February 5, 2017, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, featuring the New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons. At first, it looked like Atlanta’s coronation.
Behind MVP quarterback Matt Ryan, the Falcons stormed out to a 28–3 lead midway through the third quarter, seemingly locking up the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy. Atlanta’s offense was surgical, fast, and relentless.
Then Tom Brady happened.
The Patriots engineered the most shocking rally in Super Bowl history. By the end of regulation, New England had tied the game at 28–28, forcing the first overtime ever in a Super Bowl. The comeback was completed with a James White touchdown run, sealing a 34–28 Patriots victory.
It remains the largest comeback in Super Bowl history (25 points) and delivered Bill Belichick and Tom Brady their fifth championship together.
Key Moments From the Iconic Super Bowl LI Comeback
The game is remembered not just for the score, but for its defining swings:
- Falcons’ early dominance:
Touchdowns from Devonta Freeman, Austin Hooper, and Tevin Coleman, plus a devastating pick-six by Robert Alford, built Atlanta’s massive lead. - Patriots’ turnaround:
Brady threw for a Super Bowl–record 466 yards, highlighted by Julian Edelman’s acrobatic catch and a momentum-shifting strip-sack by Dont’a Hightower on Matt Ryan. - Overtime finish:
New England won the coin toss and marched 75 yards for the championship-clinching score by James White.
The phrase “28–3” became a permanent meme in NFL culture—celebrated by Patriots fans and dreaded by Falcons supporters. Brady earned Super Bowl MVP honors, and the comeback entered sports mythology.
NFL’s 2026 Throwback Post Revives the 28–3 Super Bowl Narrative
On February 5, 2026, exactly nine years after the game, the official NFL X (Twitter) account, @NFL, shared a throwback video highlighting the historic rally.
The caption read:
“Nine years ago today, the score was 28-3. Then we all witnessed the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history 🏆.”
The post arrived as part of the league’s anniversary-style content ahead of Super Bowl LX, which recently saw the Seattle Seahawks defeat the New England Patriots 29–13.
Engagement exploded:
- 10,700+ likes
- 1,257 reposts
- 242 quotes
- 455 replies
- 10+ million views
While Patriots fans relived the magic, Falcons fans once again felt the sting. And one former player made sure the league heard about it.
Taylor Gabriel’s Viral Reaction to the NFL’s Super Bowl LI Post
Former Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel, who played in Super Bowl LI, replied directly to the NFL’s post with just three words:
“No one cares.”
Gabriel posted the reply on February 5, 2026, at 6:51 PM GMT (1:51 PM ET) from his account @TGdadon1. The sarcasm struck a nerve and instantly went viral:
- 1,885 likes
- 201 reposts
- 20 quotes
- 48 replies
- 92,900+ views
The comment was widely interpreted as humorous frustration—an eye-roll from someone who lived through the collapse and would rather not see it replayed every February.
With the Patriots appearing in Super Bowl LX (despite losing to Seattle), the timing made the reminder feel even sharper for Atlanta’s former stars.
Who Is Taylor Gabriel? Inside the Falcons Receiver’s Career
Taylor Gabriel is a retired NFL wide receiver known for elite speed and big-play ability.
Career Snapshot:
- Born: February 17, 1991 – Mesquite, Texas
- College: Abilene Christian University
- 40-yard dash: 4.27 seconds
- Height/Weight: 5’8″, 165 lbs
NFL Career Path:
| Time | Team | Notable Details |
| 2014–2015 | Cleveland Browns | 64 receptions, 862 yards, 1 TD |
| 2016–2017 | Atlanta Falcons | Super Bowl LI run, 68 receptions, 1,032 yards, 7 TDs |
| 2018–2019 | Chicago Bears | 96 receptions, 1,041 yards, 6 TDs |
| 2020 | Buffalo Bills | Signed but retired due to injuries |
In Super Bowl LI, Gabriel recorded 3 catches for 76 yards, including a 35-yard reception. Despite being undersized, he thrived as a slot weapon and deep threat.
Post-retirement, Gabriel remains active on social media. During a 2020 rebroadcast of Super Bowl LI, he reacted with a string of facepalm emojis—proof the memory never really fades.
NFL Films’ “Sound FX” even captured him during the game warning teammate Mohamed Sanu:
“It’s Tom Brady, though.”
In hindsight, the moment feels prophetic.
Media and Fan Reactions to Gabriel’s Super Bowl LI Clapback
Gabriel’s three-word post quickly spread across sports media:
- Bleacher Report (Feb. 6, 2026): Called the response “humorous” and perfectly timed.
- Blogging Dirty (Falcons site): Described it as a “hilarious poke” at the NFL and said it echoed every Falcons fan’s feelings.
On X:
- Falcons fans praised Gabriel for speaking their collective frustration.
- Patriots fans treated it as good-natured banter.
- Neutral fans enjoyed how one sentence revived the Super Bowl LI rivalry narrative.
Why Super Bowl LI Still Dominates NFL Culture
Nine years later, Super Bowl LI’s 28–3 comeback still defines legacies, rivalries, and internet humor. For Patriots fans, it represents resilience and Brady’s greatness. For Falcons fans, it’s the night they’d rather forget.
Yet every anniversary, the NFL brings it back—and every time, someone from Atlanta reminds the league how painful history can be.
Taylor Gabriel’s simple, sarcastic “No one cares” wasn’t just a joke. It was a reminder that while the NFL celebrates greatness, the other side of that greatness is heartbreak that never fully disappears.
And as long as football exists, so will 28–3.
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