Super Bowl Sunday Is History. Now Comes Mass Exodus Monday

ATLANTA -- More than 1 million people were estimated to have traveled to Atlanta for Super Bowl LIII on Sunday. Now, they're getting ready to leave, meaning Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport may tie or break single-day passenger records in what is being called "Mass Exodus Monday."

Some Midtown and downtown roads will remain closed through Thursday, as some security measures remain in place in the immediate aftermath of the game, in which the New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams, 13-3.

Compared to Atlanta's last Super Bowl, this game, held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, along with the full week of activities that accompany one of the world's biggest sporting events, came off pretty much without a hitch. In 2000, Super Bowl 34 was one of the most exciting in the game's history, in which the then-St. Louis Rams defeated the Tennessee Titans, 23-16. The Titans came within one yard on the game's final play of scoring a touchdown, but the game is most remembered for a crippling ice storm that struck the city before the game, as well as a violent, fatal altercation involving Baltimore Ravens' star linebacker Ray Lewis.

Atlanta's first Super Bowl was Jan. 30, 1994, in which the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Buffalo Bill, 30-13. Both Super Bowls were held in the now-demolished Georgia Dome.

Atlanta came close to another winter storm earlier in the week, threats of which caused multiple school and government closings. But the winter front slowed as it approached Georgia, leaving nothing but mostly clear weather for Super Bowl Sunday.

Rapper Bow Wow and a woman were arrested early Saturday morning in Midtown, but mostly, Super Bowl week in Atlanta remained free of controversial headlines.

CBS' pregame shows featured several profiles of Atlanta and its civil rights, musical and sports icons, including Atlanta Brave legend Henry Aaron. During the game's coin toss, former Atlanta Mayor and U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young; Atlanta congressman John Lewis; and Dr. Bernice King, the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., participated in the ceremony.

Atlanta musical artists Chloe x Halle sang "America The Beautiful" before the game, and legendary entertainer -- and Atlanta native -- Gladys Knight sang the national anthem.

More Recent Super Bowl Coverage From Patch

• Patriots Stymie High-Powered Ram Offense, Win 6th Super Bowl
• Best Super Bowl LIII Moments: See Patriots vs. Rams in Photos
• Photos: Downtown Atlanta On The Eve Of Super Bowl LIII

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Image Susan Darnell