Seen on:
as known from New York Timesas known from USA Todayas known from yahoo!
VA

Top 10 Forgotten Heroes of the Super Bowl

Guys who don't get enough credit
Publish Date: 02/08/2023
Fact checked by: Mark Lewis

Everybody knows Kurt Warner, Jim Plunkett, Johnny Unitas, etc., as they were Super Bowl winners, but today we’re e going to look at some of the players who made some big plays to help these men to become legends!

1) Dwight Smith, Tampa Bay, Super Bowl XXXVII

Dwight Smith is still the only player in Super Bowl history to intercept two passes and return them both for touchdowns in Super Bowl history. He did not win the MVP award for the game. When asked about the denial, Smith said it best: “They give out the MVP every year. I own a record that can stand forever. So far so good.

Video: Dwight Smith in Super Bowl XXXVII

Dwight Smith in Super Bowl XXXVII

2) Max McGee, Green Bay Packers, Super Bowl I

Packers wide receiver Boyd Dowler was supposed to be the star of this show, but Dowler got hurt early in the game. So who would take over and save the day, you might ask. Well, it was an aging receiver hungover from a late night of partying, that’s who! Max McGee had the game of his life, catching seven passes for 138 yards and two TDs.

Video: The Max McGee Story: The Greatest Untold Story Ever

The Max McGee Story: The Greatest Untold Story Ever

3) Timmy Smith, Washington Redskins, Super Bowl XXII

Smith’s first start was in the Super Bowl and in that first start, he shocked everybody by running for 204 yards and two touchdowns. Smith disappeared seemingly from the face of the earth afterward and was never heard from again. But, for one magical game in San Diego, Smith was a legend!

Video: Timmy Smith - Superbowl XXII

Timmy Smith – Superbowl XXII

4) Larry Brown, Dallas Cowboys, Super Bowl XXX

If I asked you who was the first cornerback in Super Bowl history to win the MVP  award and I told you he played in Super Bowl XXX with the Cowboys, you would probably guess Deion Sanders. The answer would be little-known journeyman cornerback Larry Brown, who intercepted two passes that sealed a Super Bowl victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Video: Larry Brown Highlights

Larry Brown Highlights

5) Mike Jones, St. Louis Rams, Super Bowl XXXIV

Everybody remembers Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner’s fourth-quarter heroics and most remember a Titan tackled at the one-yard line to end the game. The question is: What Ram saved the game on that final play? That man would be Mike Jones, who tackled Kevin Dyson as the clock run out.

Video: The Tackle (Rams vs Titans 1999 Super Bowl XXXIV)

The Tackle (Rams vs Titans 1999 Super Bowl XXXIV)

 

6) Rod Martin, Oakland Raiders, Super Bowl XV

Rod Martin was a solid linebacker during his NFL career, but on this Sunday, he would become a legend in Raider lore. Martin picked off three Ron Jaworski passes as the Raiders upset the Eagles and became the first wild card team to win a Super Bowl.

Video: Wild Card Raiders Make a Run and Win Super Bowl XV | Las Vegas Raiders

Wild Card Raiders Make a Run and Win Super Bowl XV | Las Vegas Raiders

7) Jim O’Brien, Baltimore Colts, Super Bowl V

O’Brien was a straight-on kicker, one of the last of a dying breed in the early 1970s. For his career, O’Brien made 60 out of 108 kicks. On this day, he would go down in history as the first kicker in Super Bowl history to kick a game-winning field goal. O’Brien booted a 32-yard field goal to give the Colts a 16-13 win over the Dallas Cowboys in a game filled with errors.

Video: Super Bowl V Jim O'Brien's game winning FG

Super Bowl V Jim O’Brien’s game winning FG

8) Jack Squirek, Los Angeles Raiders, Super Bowl XVIII

Squirek had a short-lived NFL career, but for one day he was a legend. The Raiders had a commanding lead heading into halftime, and that lead only grew bigger when the Redskins decided for some reason, with time running out in the first half, to try to pass from their own goal line.

Redskin QB Joe Theismann threw the ball, and Jack Squirek caught the pass and raced into the end zone to win the game for the Raiders. Defensive coordinator Charlie Sumner put Squirek in the right spot to make the play, Squirek graced Sports Illustrated’s cover the very next week.

Video: Squirek

Squirek

9) James Washington, Dallas Cowboys, Super Bowl XXVIII

The rematch of Super Bowl XXVII saw the Bills outplay the Cowboys in the first half. The turning point came in the third quarter as Cowboy defensive back scooped up a Thurman Thomas fumble and scored on a 46-yard TD return. The Cowboys dominated the game after the Fumble and would go on to win their second straight Super Bowl. Washington also intercepted a pass in the previous year’s matchup with Buffalo.

Video: Super Bowl Champion James Washington Shares Secrets To Success On And Off Field | CNBC Make It.

Super Bowl Champion James Washington Shares Secrets To Success On And Off Field | CNBC Make It.

10) Chris Reis, New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV

In this game, Saints coach Sean Payton made one of the gutsiest calls in Super Bowl history: With his Saints down 10-6 at the start of the second half against the Indianapolis Colts, Payton decided to onside kick to open the second half. After about a minute of fighting to recover the fumble, Chris Reis came out of the pile to spark the Saints to victory.

Video: Chris Reis Super Bowl Interview

Chris Reis Super Bowl Interview

Read Also
Esteban de Jesus, Roberto Duran y AIDS (1972-89)
Many of us dream of celebrity sports fame, but only cruel individuals ...
The Greatest College Basketball Team of All Time
Rating the greatest college basketball teams ever has been done many times ...
Bet365 Promo
Indiana Basketball Weekly
Welcome to Indiana Basketball Weekly, your dedicated podcast for all things Indiana ...
Come Fly with me: How the 1988-89 Chicago Bulls pushed forward to an NBA dynasty.
Find the best sportsbook to bet on the NBA Playoffs! Prologue: By ...
Michael Nunn and Iran Barkley Discuss Their Bout, Bob Arum, and the Four Kings
Mountains to Climb, Pebbles in Your Shoe “I always say that was ...
What is the Best Decade of Basketball in NBA History?
15Every NBA player and fan thinks that their generation of basketball was ...
Grading every NFL team’s picks from the 2021 NFL Draft
Quickly, click away if you’re going to get upset by reading draft ...
NFL Draft 2021: Sam Teets’ top 100 prospects big board
The 2021 NFL Draft is less than a month away, meaning it’s ...
Predicting the next five Pro Football Hall of Fame classes
Induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio is ...
Ranking the top 200 players in the NFL ahead of the 2021 season
This list isn’t based solely on performances from the 2020 NFL season. ...
Latest News
Gerald McClellan: “He got what he gave” – A Divisive Legacy
Gerald McClellan was once among the most feared ...
Mike McCallum: The Body Snatcher’s Precision and Legacy
Mike McCallum was born on December 7, 1956, ...
Roland LaStarza: The Gentleman Contender of the Heavyweight Division
Roland LaStarza was born on May 12, 1927, ...
Top 5 Upsets in NBA Finals History
In the NBA, the Finals are where legends ...
Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Bonuses
DraftKings
DraftKings
DraftKings Review
4.6/5
FanDuel
4.6/5
BetMGM
4.5/5
Bet365
4.5/5
Caesars
4.5/5
DraftKings
DraftKings Promo
New Customers Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
FanDuel
FanDuel Promo
Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG-help.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. Gambling HelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) To claim, new users need to register, make a first-time deposit of $5 or more, and then simply place their first real-money wager on any FanDuel Sportsbook market (no odds limits) that is live on platform. All users will receive their $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins within 72 hours of the bet settlement. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com.
BetMGM
BetMGM Promo
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Bet365
Bet365 Promo
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL OR TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KY/LA/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ only (18+ in KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KY/LA(select parishes)/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.
Caesars
Caesars Promo
Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Bets
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
Our Team
Mike GoodpasterJosh SchwartzSimon BriffaMark LewisSamuel Teets
+8
Mike Goodpaster
Mike Goodpaster
Chief Editor
Josh Schwartz
Josh Schwartz
Editor
Simon Briffa
Simon Briffa
Sports Editor
Mark Lewis
Mark Lewis
Editor
Samuel Teets
Samuel Teets
US Sports Veteran
Author Icon
drjaygee
Editor
Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week....
Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week....

21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.
Virginia Town HallCloudflareSSL
Close
Our Sports Pros recommend these awesome sports betting sites this week:
DraftKings
DraftKings Promo
New Customers Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Code:
Open DraftKings
Get Bonus
FanDuel
FanDuel Promo
Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Code:
Open FanDuel
Get Bonus
BetMGM
BetMGM Promo
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Code:
Open BetMGM
Get Bonus
×
Your Promo Code:
The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link:
Play now