"The world's most famous injured ankle was ready for the start of the Super Bowl.

But Dwight Freeney's throbbing right ankle worsened as the game progressed and the Colts' pass rush and defense seemed to fade almost simultaneously.

The Saints scored more points in each quarter as the game went on, getting 15 in the fourth to stun the Colts. Freeney had the game's only sack, but it came early, and Drew Brees eventually picked apart Indianapolis' defense, completing passes seemingly at will in the second half as Freeney's pain increased.

"Obviously there was a little pain but it was good enough that I knew I could go out there and contribute," Freeney said. "After halftime it was real tough, just stiffening up."

After tearing a ligament in his ankle while rushing Mark Sanchez in the Colts' AFC championship victory over the Jets, Freeney rehabbed the ankle obsessively for two weeks."