The Greatest Super Bowl Moments Of All-Time
One of America's greatest sporting events of the year is just around the corner. The Super Bowl occurs on February 9th annually, drawing an average viewership of 123 million people. But what were some of the greatest moments of the past Super Bowls?
Super Bowl XI: A 75-Yard Interception & Touchdown
Willie Brown was part of the Las Vegas Raiders team that dominated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI, but his interception and 75-yard dash for a touchdown sealed the deal for the Raiders, who secured their first Super Bowl after winning 32-14.
Super Bowl XX: William "Refrigerator" Perry Scores A Memorable Touchdown
When the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots met in 1986 at Super Bowl XX, the head coach sent in a defensive lineman, William "Refrigerator" Perry, to score a touchdown. The Chicago Bears won the game 46-10 in a crushing defeat of the Patriots.
Super Bowl XXIX: A Sixth Touchdown Pass For Steve Young
The short pass is a remarkable feat, achieved when one player passes to another over seven yards, resulting in a touchdown. During Super Bowl 29, Steve Young of the San Francisco 49ers completed his sixth touchdown pass. The average number of touchdown passes per player per game is 1.7.
Super Bowl I: Max McGee's One-Handed Catch And First Super Bowl Touchdown
Max McGee replaced injured Green Bay Packers receiver Boyd Dowler in the starting lineup of Super Bowl I, which took place in 1967. The Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10. McGee caught a pass with one hand and spun, running into the end zone for the first touchdown in Super Bowl history.
Super Bowl XXXV: Victory Sealed In Less Than A Minute
It took an astonishing 36 seconds for the Baltimore Ravens to score three touchdowns and lead the New York Giants by 10-0 late in the third quarter.
Super Bowl IV: The 65 Toss Power Trap Play
With his team leading 9-0 on the Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Hank Stram called a play known as the "65 Toss Power Trap", which saw Mike Garrett run into the end zone for a touchdown. Hank went nuts, cursing like a sailor—unfortunately for viewers at home, he was mic'd up.
Super Bowl I: The First Super Bowl Knockout
The first knockout blow of the Super Bowl occurred when Fred "The Hammer" Williamson was knocked out after colliding with the knee of running back Donny Anderson during Super Bowl I.
Super Bowl XVII: The Longest Kick Return In Super Bowl History
The Miami Dolphins faced the Washington Redskins in Super XVII in 1983. With the Redskins and Dolphins tied 10-10 at half-time, Fulton Walker recorded the longest kick return in Super Bowl history (at the time), sending the ball soaring for 98 yards for a touchdown.
Super Bowl XXI: A Giant Comeback
The New York Giants were down 10-9 against the Denver Broncos at Super Bowl XXI when they made a stunning comeback. They scored 30 unanswered points, narrowly edging the Broncos 32-29 for a famous victory.
Super Bowl XXXI: Brett Favre's Celebration
Brett Favre loves the game, and the game loves him back. During Super Bowl XXXI, Favre scored his first touchdown pass, over 54 yards, to teammate Andre Rison. He took off his helmet and ran around the field in celebration. A joy to watch.
Super Bowl XVIII: Rocket Screen Interception
The Redskins were supposed to run a play called "rocket screen," according to head coach Joe Gibbs. But Raiders linebacker Jack Squirek had other ideas. Leaping through the air like a salmon, he caught the ball and ran for a touchdown. The Raiders defeated the Redskins in a blowout 38-9.
Super Bowl XXIII: An Almost Game-Winning Touchdown. Almost.
It is so close yet very far away for the Cincinnati Bengals. When they were tied 6-6 with the San Francisco 49ers at Super Bowl XXIII, Stanford Jennings kicked a 93-yard touchdown—the only one of the game for the Bengals. However, it wasn't enough to win, as the 49ers took the game 20-16.
Super Bowl XLVIII: The Quickest Score In History
Peyton Manning may have been the star of the Seattle Seahawks, leading them (eventually) to victory against the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. Still, it was Broncos star Manny Ramirez who made the fastest score in Super Bowl history after just 12 seconds.
Super Bowl XXVI: Dude, Where's My Helmet?
Imagine not being able to find something as large as a football helmet. Well, that's what happened to Buffalo Bills star Thurman Thomas. He'd moved his helmet during pre-game festivities and couldn't find it during game time. He eventually did locate it, but not before missing two plays.
Super Bowl XV: The Big Yellow Ribbon
Never afraid to get involved in politics, the theme of Super Bowl XV was solidarity with the hostages held by Iran during the 1979 to 1981 Iranian hostage crisis. The event was held in the Louisiana Superdome, which displayed a massive yellow ribbon on its exterior.
Super Bowl X: Jack Lambert's Angry Tackle On Cliff Harris
In the tenth Super Bowl, Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Roy Gerala missed his second kick of the game. When Dallas Cowboys safety Cliff Harris ruthlessly mocked him, Jack Lambert angrily dumped Harris to the ground. He wasn't ejected from the game, but this did wonders for the Steelers' morale, propelling them to victory.
Super Bowl XLIII: A Goal-Line Interception And 100-Yard Touchdown Run
Down 10-7 to the Steelers, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner passed to Anquan Boldin, but it was intercepted by James Harrison, a linebacker, who ran for 99 yards with no time remaining.
.jpg){kind=link}
Super Bowl II: Vince Lombardi's Last Game As Coach
During the second Super Bowl, the Green Bay Packers beat the Raiders 33-14 in the last game of Lombardi's coaching career at the Packers. He coached the Redskins in 1969 and passed away in 1970. But his team carried the legend himself off the field victorious.
Super Bowl XXVIII: Emmett Smith's 61-Yard Dash
Emmett Smith made a 61-yard dash, topping off a 64-yard touchdown run after the Dallas Cowboys tied the game with the Buffalo Bills. It was an incredible slam-dunk run that changed the game.
.jpg){kind=link}
Super Bowl XIV: A 73-Yard Score Turns A Game On Its Head
A 73-yard score between Terry Bradshaw and John Stallworth changed the game for the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XIV. Down 19-17 at the half, the Steelers led the game all the way to victory.
.jpg){kind=link}
Super Bowl XIX: Jermaine Kearse's Catch
Jermaine Kearse was a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks who made a historic catch, after a deflection, while lying on the ground. Kearse stood up and started running to the end zone.
Super Bowl XXVII: Leon Lett's Early Celebration
The Dallas Cowboys' Leon Lett recovered a fumble and ran toward the end zone as the Buffalo Bills destroyed the Cowboys. His 10-yard line celebration, however, was too early. Don Beebe caught up with him and knocked the ball out of his hands. Never celebrate too early, especially in the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XIII: Jackie Smith Drops The Ball
Jackie Smith was one of the best tight ends ever to play the game. But he's unfortunately best remembered for the worst moment of his career—when he dropped the ball when the Cowboys were down 21-14.
Super Bowl XXX: Larry Brown Double Interception
Larry Brown's double interception of two passes from Neil O'Donnell made him the unlikeliest Super Bowl MVP. The Dallas Cowboys won the Bowl that year, 27-17.
Super Bowl III: Joe Namath's Shushes The Crowd
New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath decided to appear at the Miami Touchdown Club to personally guarantee his team's victory. He came off the field with a raised finger, indicating he was "number one". It was the only time he'd done that in his career.
Super Bowl XXII: A 35-Point Second Quarter
After a catastrophic first quarter that saw the Broncos lead the Redskins 10-0. What happened next shocked the Broncos by scoring 35 points without reply, winning 42-10.
Super Bowl XXXI: A 99-Yard Kick Return
A slim 27-21 lead for the Green Bay Packers resulted in Desmond Howard returning a Patriot's kick-off with a 99-yard dash for a touchdown. This return was a Super Bowl record, leading the Packers to victory and earning Howard the Super Bowl MVP.
Super Bowl XLVIII: Lights Out At The Superdome
With a 28-6 lead for Baltimore over the San Francisco 49ers, a piece of electrical monitoring equipment sensed an abnormality and killed the power to half the stadium. It took 34 minutes to repair and turn the lights back on, with the 49ers staging a roaring comeback to win.
Super Bowl XVI: A Goal-Line Scramble For The Ages
With just four yards left to go, down 20-7 at the end of the third quarter, the Cincinnati Bengals tried desperately to get the ball over the line, to no avail. Great defense from the San Francisco 49ers secured the title.
Super Bowl XLIV: A Surprise Second-Half Onside Kick
When the New Orleans Saints faced off against the Indianapolis Colts, with the latter 10-6 up at the start of the second half, Sean Payton (the Saints' head coach) sprang a surprise onside kick, jump-starting a New Orleans recovery that shifted the game's momentum.
Super Bowl VII: Yepremian's Greatest Blunder
The greatest blunder in Super Bowl history? Maybe. Miami Dolphins kicker Garo Yepremian should have capped off a 17-0 season with a 17-0 win. Instead, his final kick went flat and was blocked. He then picked up the ball and attempted a pass that was picked off, with Redskins cornerback Mike Bass running it to the end zone for a touchdown.
Super Bowl XLVI: Super Mario's Sideline Catch
Mario Manningham catalyzed the New York Giants' late-game resurgence during Super Bowl XLVI. The Giants were then down 17-15 to the New England Patriots. "Super Mario" made an incredible catch at midfield, allowing the Giants to score and stop Patriot momentum.
Super Bowl XVIII: The Last Voice Work Of John Facenda
Marcus Allen ran a 74-yard touchdown on the last play of the third quarter at Super Bowl XVIII as the Raiders played the Redskins. John Facenda, legendary announcer, uttered his final words as an announcer: "As Washington hopes faded into the dying daylight, Marcus Allen, running away with the night".
Super Bowl V: Saving The Blunder Bowl
The fifth edition of the Super Bowl was known as the "Blunder Bowl" because of its many errors. However, Jim O'Brien won the game in the final seconds with a game-winning kick, saving the "Blunder Bowl".
Super Bowl XXV: The Greatest-Ever Star-Spangled Banner?
Whitney Houston's "The Star-Spangled Banner" performance at Super Bowl 25 is often said to be the greatest performance of the American National Anthem ever. Do you agree?
Super Bowl XXXIV: Mike Jones Game-Saving Tackle
As the Tennessee Titans took on the St Louis Rams for the championship, wide receiver Kevin Dyson was one yard away from winning or tying the game when tight end Mike Jones tackled him. This saved the St Louis Rams from defeat, and they eventually clinched the game 23-16.
Super Bowl LII: Nick Foles' "Difference Maker" Catch
In order to stop a Patriots onslaught, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pedersen took a gamble on a play. Instructing tight end Trey Burton to toss a touchdown pass to Nick Foles. Foles made the catch, and this play proved to be the difference between the Eagles and the Patriots, with the Eagles emerging victorious.
Super Bowl XVII: John Riggins Runs The Gauntlet
With the Dolphins leading the Redskins 17-13 in the fourth, with only 10:10 left on the clock, they knew they had to do something. They gave the ball to John Riggins, who got the first down and ran 57 yards into the end zone.
Super Bowl X: Like A Swann Out Of Water
Okay, so while some swans can fly, Lynn Swann took that to a whole new level when he leaped through the air to catch a 53-yard reception before bobbling it in mid-air but eventually coming down with it once he returned to orbit. A legendary catch.
Super Bowl XLII: David Tyree's Unconventional Catch
Sure, we'll call it "unconventional". But it was really so outrageous that it should have been illegal. David Tyree caught a pass from Eli Manning by rescuing the falling ball using his hand and helmet. Outrageous. Ridiculous. Legal. And the greatest catch ever? You tell us.