These are ten Super Bowl MVP’s you may have forgot about.
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A Super Bowl MVP is a legend forever in the minds of the fans of the team he calls home. To have one of your best games on the biggest stage in all of American sports is something worth honoring.
But, these ten players, of various abilities and career success, may have been forgotten as Super Bowl MVP’s. That doesn’t mean they’ve been forgotten as players, but they’re guys you might be surprised won Super Bowl MVP.
Doug Williams - Super Bowl XXII
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In 1988, Doug Williams became the first African-American quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl. Williams was unstoppable through the air, throwing for 340 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 42-10 rout of the Denver Broncos.
Ottis Anderson - Super Bowl XXV
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Anderson was a very good running back for many years in the NFL. But, he was supposed to be past his prime by the time Super Bowl XXV came around. But, Anderson had 21 carries for 102 yards and a touchdown in the dramatic 20-19 Giants win.
Mark Rypien - Super Bowl XXVI
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Rypien led a dominant offense in a 37-24 win over the Buffalo Bills. He threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns
Larry Brown - Super Bowl XXX
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On a team full of superstars, it was Larry Brown that came away with Super Bowl XXX MVP. Brown had two interceptions, both setting up Dallas touchdowns en route to a 27-17 win over the Steelers.
Desmond Howard - Super Bowl XXXI
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Desmond Howard is most famous for hitting the Heisman pose during his time at Michigan. Howard had 244 total return yards in Super Bowl XXXI, including an electrifying 99-yard kickoff return touchdown as the Packers beat the Patriots, 35-21.
Dexter Jackson - Super Bowl XXXVII
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominated a potent Raiders offense en route to a 48-21 win. But it wasn’t one of the legendary players on that defense that won MVP. Instead, it was little-known Dexter Jackson, who intercepted league MVP Rich Gannon two times.
Deion Branch - Super Bowl XXXIX
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No, it wasn’t Tom Brady that was named Super Bowl XXXIX MVP. Instead, it was one of his pass-catchers, Deion Branch. Branch caught 11 passes for 133 yards in New England’s 24-21 win.
Hines Ward - Super Bowl XL
Hines Ward was an outstanding player, but you may not remember that he won Super Bowl MVP. Ward caught 5 passes for 123 yards, including a long touchdown from Antwaan Randle-El, and had a run for 18 yards as the Steelers beat the Seahawks, 21-10.
Santonio Holmes - Super Bowl XLIII
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That picture says it all. Holmes had a huge game, catching 9 passes for 131 yards. But, it’s that touchdown with less than a minute left that won the Super Bowl for the Steelers and became one of the NFL’s most iconic plays.
Malcolm Smith - Super Bowl XLVIII
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Malcolm Smith was a good-but-not-great linebacker during his career. But, his performance in Super Bowl XLVIII for the Seahawks was an all-timer. He made ten tackles, had a pick-six, and recovered a fumble as part of a dominant 43-8 win over the Broncos.