I haven't read this entire thread, so i apologize if this has already been said, but when viewing the hint this seemed too strange to not mention.
When the video is shown for 2002, it is a clip from one of 71's matches. They were truly dominant, and I've never seen a video of a match where they lost. In the clip shown, they are clearly moving backwards down the field as if they are being out pushed by their opponents. Unless this is a clip of video that I've never seen, I would guess that FIRST deliberately chose to show this clip in reverse.
Just food for thought.
Let me know if there is actually a video around in which 71 gets pushed backwards, or if this has already been brought up.