Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award

A man is smiling. He is wearing a gray T-shirt with a pair of black sunglasses hanging from the collar.
Drew Brees was the MVP of Super Bowl XLIV.

The Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award, or Super Bowl MVP, is an award presented annually to the most valuable player of the Super Bowl, the National Football League's (NFL) championship game. The winner is chosen by a fan vote during the game and by a panel of 16 American football writers and broadcasters who vote after the game. The media panel's ballots count for 80 percent of the vote tally, while the viewers' ballots make up the other 20 percent.[1] The game's viewing audience can vote on the Internet or by using cellular phones;[1] Super Bowl XXXV, held in 2001, was the first Super Bowl where fan voting was allowed.[2]

Since the first Super Bowl was held in 1967, the MVP award has been given to 40 players. From 1967 to 1989, the Super Bowl MVP was presented by Sport magazine.[3] Bart Starr was the MVP of the first two Super Bowls. Since 1990, the award has been presented by the NFL.[3] At Super Bowl XXV, the league first awarded the Pete Rozelle Trophy, named after the former NFL commissioner, to the Super Bowl MVP.[4] Ottis Anderson was the first to win the trophy.[5] The most recent Super Bowl MVP was Drew Brees, who was named the most valuable player of Super Bowl XLIV, held on February 7, 2010.

Joe Montana is the only player to have won three Super Bowl MVP awards; three others—Starr, Terry Bradshaw, and Tom Brady—have won the honor twice. The MVP has come from the winning team every year except 1971, when Dallas Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley won the award despite the Cowboys' loss in Super Bowl V to the Baltimore Colts.[6] Harvey Martin and Randy White were named co-MVPs of Super Bowl XII, the only time co-MVPs have been chosen.[7] Including the Super Bowl XII co-MVPs, seven Cowboys players have won Super Bowl MVP awards, the most of any NFL team. Quarterbacks have earned the honor 23 times in 44 games. Mark Rypien and Hines Ward are the only players born outside the United States to earn the Super Bowl MVP; they were born in Canada and South Korea, respectively.[8] Roger Staubach, Jim Plunkett, Marcus Allen, and Desmond Howard are the only four players to have won the Super Bowl MVP and college football's Heisman Trophy.[9]

Contents

Table key

† Denotes player who is still active in NFL
* Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Player (#) Denotes the number of times the player has won the award.
Year Each year is linked to an article about that particular NFL season

Winners

A balding man, who is wearing a white shirt.
Terry Bradshaw, the MVP of Super Bowls XIII and XIV
A man smiling and wearing a green and red shirt.
Joe Montana won a record three Super Bowl MVP awards.
A bald man smiles. He is wearing a black suit.
Jerry Rice, the MVP of Super Bowl XXIII
A man standing on the sidelines of an American football field. He is wearing a black shirt.
Tom Brady, the MVP of Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII
Year[a] Super Bowl Winner Team Position Ref.
1967 I Bart Starr * Green Bay Packers Quarterback [10]
1968 II Bart Starr (2) * Green Bay Packers Quarterback [11]
1969 III Joe Namath * New York Jets Quarterback [12]
1970 IV Len Dawson * Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback [13]
1971 V Chuck Howley[b] Dallas Cowboys Linebacker [6]
1972 VI Roger Staubach * Dallas Cowboys Quarterback [14]
1973 VII Jake Scott Miami Dolphins Safety [15]
1974 VIII Larry Csonka * Miami Dolphins Running back [16]
1975 IX Franco Harris * Pittsburgh Steelers Running back [17]
1976 X Lynn Swann * Pittsburgh Steelers Wide receiver [18]
1977 XI Fred Biletnikoff * Oakland Raiders Wide receiver [19]
1978 XII Harvey Martin[c] Dallas Cowboys Defensive end [20]
1978 XII Randy White[c] * Dallas Cowboys Defensive tackle [20]
1979 XIII Terry Bradshaw * Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback [21]
1980 XIV Terry Bradshaw (2) * Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback [22]
1981 XV Jim Plunkett Oakland Raiders Quarterback [23]
1982 XVI Joe Montana * San Francisco 49ers Quarterback [24]
1983 XVII John Riggins * Washington Redskins Running back [25]
1984 XVIII Marcus Allen * Los Angeles Raiders Running back [26]
1985 XIX Joe Montana (2) * San Francisco 49ers Quarterback [27]
1986 XX Richard Dent Chicago Bears Defensive end [28]
1987 XXI Phil Simms New York Giants Quarterback [29]
1988 XXII Doug Williams Washington Redskins Quarterback [30]
1989 XXIII Jerry Rice * San Francisco 49ers Wide receiver [31]
1990 XXIV Joe Montana (3) * San Francisco 49ers Quarterback [32]
1991 XXV Ottis Anderson New York Giants Running back [5]
1992 XXVI Mark Rypien Washington Redskins Quarterback [33]
1993 XXVII Troy Aikman * Dallas Cowboys Quarterback [34]
1994 XXVIII Emmitt Smith * Dallas Cowboys Running back [35]
1995 XXIX Steve Young * San Francisco 49ers Quarterback [36]
1996 XXX Larry Brown Dallas Cowboys Cornerback [37]
1997 XXXI Desmond Howard Green Bay Packers Kick returner/
punt returner		 [38]
1998 XXXII Terrell Davis Denver Broncos Running back [39]
1999 XXXIII John Elway * Denver Broncos Quarterback [40]
2000 XXXIV Kurt Warner St. Louis Rams Quarterback [41]
2001 XXXV Ray Lewis † Baltimore Ravens Linebacker [42]
2002 XXXVI Tom Brady † New England Patriots Quarterback [43]
2003 XXXVII Dexter Jackson Tampa Bay Buccaneers Safety [44]
2004 XXXVIII Tom Brady (2) † New England Patriots Quarterback [45]
2005 XXXIX Deion Branch † New England Patriots Wide receiver [46]
2006 XL Hines Ward † Pittsburgh Steelers Wide receiver [47]
2007 XLI Peyton Manning † Indianapolis Colts Quarterback [48]
2008 XLII Eli Manning † New York Giants Quarterback [49]
2009 XLIII Santonio Holmes † Pittsburgh Steelers Wide receiver [50]
2010 XLIV Drew Brees † New Orleans Saints Quarterback [51]

By team

A man wearing a black striped suit and black tie with white dots.
Emmitt Smith won the Super Bowl XXVIII MVP award while playing for the Dallas Cowboys.
Team Total
Dallas Cowboys[d] 7
Pittsburgh Steelers 6
San Francisco 49ers 5
Green Bay Packers 3
New England Patriots 3
New York Giants 3
Oakland-Los Angeles Raiders 3
Washington Redskins 3
Denver Broncos 2
Miami Dolphins 2
Baltimore Ravens 1
Chicago Bears 1
Indianapolis Colts 1
Kansas City Chiefs 1
New Orleans Saints 1
New York Jets 1
St. Louis Rams 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1

By position

A man holding a green paper cup. He is wearing a white jersey with blue stripes and a blue "18" on the front, which also has a logo with a white "C" above one gold and three white stars. Other men wearing white jerseys with blue numbers and names are visible in the background.
Quarterback Peyton Manning was the MVP of Super Bowl XLI.
Position Total
Quarterback 23
Running back 7
Wide receiver 6
Defensive end 2
Linebacker 2
Safety 2
Cornerback 1
Defensive tackle 1
Kick returner/punt returner 1

Notes

References

General
Specific
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Fans to vote online, via wireless devices for Cadillac Super Bowl MVP". National Football League. http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/story?id=09000d5d8065ada6&template=without-video&confirm=true. Retrieved January 12, 2009. 
  2. ↑ Cummings, Tommy (January 24, 2001). "MVP Voting Takes Interaction to a New Level". San Francisco Chronicle (Hearst Corporation). http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/01/24/SP140947.DTL&hw=CNNSI+COM&sn=007&sc=285. Retrieved February 25, 2007. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 2009 ESPN Sports Almanac. New York City: ESPN Books. 2008. p. 246. ISBN 978-0-345-51172-0. 
  4. ↑ "Sports People: Pro Football; The Rozelle Trophy". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). October 10, 1990. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE6DC103DF933A25753C1A966958260. Retrieved February 25, 2007. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Litsky, Frank (January 28, 1991). "Super Bowl XXV: The Game; Giants Win". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE0DE1539F93BA15752C0A967958260. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Lopresti, Mike (January 24, 2007). "Strolling through Super Bowl history: The Colts' last trip here was very different". USA Today (Gannett Company). http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/lopresti/2007-01-24-colts-history_x.htm. Retrieved January 6, 2009. 
  7. ↑ "History: Super Bowl XII MVP". National Football League. http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history/mvp/sbxii. Retrieved January 11, 2009. 
  8. ↑ Farnsworth, Clare (February 6, 2006). "Super Bowl records". Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Hearst Corporation). http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/football/258436_records06.html. Retrieved February 2, 2008. 
  9. ↑ Leyden, Tom (February 1, 2009). "Leyden's Super Bowl Log". WXYZ-TV. http://www.wxyz.com/news/story/Leydens-Super-Bowl-Log/Mas-TAMIEEKhQx6RhF9Zow.cspx. Retrieved April 26, 2009. 
  10. ↑ "Super Bowl Summaries: Super Bowl I". CNN Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/superbowl/summaries/sb01.html. Retrieved January 6, 2009. 
  11. ↑ "Super Bowl Summaries: Super Bowl II". CNN Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/superbowl/summaries/sb02.html. Retrieved January 6, 2009. 
  12. ↑ Schwartz, Larry. "Namath was lovable rogue". ESPN Classic. http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/namath_joe.html. Retrieved January 6, 2009. 
  13. ↑ "Super Bowl Notebook: More QB questions". Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Hearst Corporation). February 1, 2002. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/football/56666_supern01.shtml. Retrieved January 6, 2009. 
  14. ↑ Thurmond, Sarah (September 19, 2005). "Legends and new stars sell Super Bowl XL". Sports Illustrated (Time Inc.). http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1112882/index.html. Retrieved January 6, 2009. 
  15. ↑ Maule, Tex (January 22, 1973). "17–0–0". Sports Illustrated (Time Inc.). http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1086962/index.htm. Retrieved January 6, 2009. 
  16. ↑ "Super Bowl Summaries: Super Bowl VIII". CNN Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/superbowl/summaries/sb08.html. Retrieved January 6, 2009. 
  17. ↑ Auman, Greg; Sharon Ginn, John C. Cotey (January 22, 2001). "Super side line". St. Petersburg Times (Times Publishing Company). http://www.stpetersburgtimes.com/News/012201/SuperBowl2001/Super_side_line.shtml. Retrieved January 6, 2001. 
  18. ↑ Harris, John (December 7, 2008). "Steelers-Cowboys add to history". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Tribune-Review Publishing Company). http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_601843.html. Retrieved January 6, 2009. 
  19. ↑ "Fred Biletnikoff". Sporting News (American City Business Journals). http://archive.sportingnews.com/nfl/100/94.html. Retrieved January 6, 2009. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Zeiger, Dan (January 4, 2008). "Super Bowl Memories: Super Bowl XII". East Valley Tribune (Freedom Communications). http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/105818. Retrieved January 6, 2009. 
  21. ↑ Jenkins, Dan (January 29, 1979). "What A Passing Parade!". Sports Illustrated (Time Inc.). http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1094555/3/index.htm. Retrieved January 6, 2009. 
  22. ↑ "No. 23: Playoff success carried Bradshaw into Hall". USA Today (Gannett Company). June 20, 2007. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-06-20-no-23-bradshaw_N.htm. Retrieved January 6, 2009. 
  23. ↑ Klancnik, Rudy (January 23, 2008). "Plunkett overcame hardships to win two titles". ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/news/story?id=3210003. Retrieved January 6, 2009. 
  24. ↑ "Tom Brady & Joe Montana". San Francisco Chronicle (Hearst Corporation). February 7, 2005. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2005/02/07/SPGG1B74KE1.DTL. Retrieved January 6, 2009. 
  25. ↑ Zimmerman, Paul (February 7, 1983). "Hail To The Redskins!". Sports Illustrated (Time Inc.). http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1120483/index.htm. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
  26. ↑ Stone, Larry (February 4, 2006). "Marcus Allen tackles Shaun's flash". The Seattle Times (The Seattle Times Company). http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2002783290_mvp04.html. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
  27. ↑ Zimmerman, Paul (January 25, 1985). "The Niners Were Never Finer". Sports Illustrated (Time Inc.). http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1119083/index.htm. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
  28. ↑ Zimmerman, Paul (February 3, 1986). "A Brillant Case For The Defense". Sports Illustrated (Time Inc.). http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1127189/index.htm. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
  29. ↑ Anderson, Dave (January 26, 1987). "Super Bowl XXI: Sports Of The Times; Sinatra, Simms and Minelli". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE2DA1231F935A15752C0A961948260. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
  30. ↑ Eskenazi, Gerald (February 1, 1988). "Williams Stars as Redskins Smash Broncos". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE6DB173EF932A35751C0A96E948260. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
  31. ↑ George, Thomas (January 23, 1989). "49ers Snatch Victory With Last-Minute Score". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE7D9143CF930A15752C0A96F948260. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
  32. ↑ George, Thomas (January 29, 1990). "The Big Easy: Fat City for Montana and 49ers; Broncos Fall, 55–10, And So Do Records". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE2DC103FF93AA15752C0A966958260. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
  33. ↑ Thiel, Art (January 27, 1992). "Super Bowl Isn't Such A Big Deal, Says MVP Rypien". Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Hearst Corporation). http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/archives/1992/9201270032.asp. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
  34. ↑ Friend, Tom (February 1, 1993). "Super Bowl XXVII: Playmakers; A One-Two Punch Knocks Out the Bills". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE7DF1039F932A35751C0A965958260. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
  35. ↑ Litsky, Frank (January 31, 1994). "Super Bowl XXVIII; Smith Grabs Ball, Dallas Grabs Game". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9500E2D81539F932A05752C0A962958260. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
  36. ↑ Aldridge, David (January 30, 1995). "The Young And The Defenseless — Chargers Unable To Slow 49ers' Route To 5th Title". The Washington Post (The Seattle Times). http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19950130&slug=2102158. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
  37. ↑ George, Thomas (January 29, 1996). "Super Bowl XXX: The Cowboy Way Is That Championship Season; Brown Plays Starring Role To Thwart Steelers' Hopes". The New York Times (The New York Times Comapny). http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06EEDE1039F93AA15752C0A960958260. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
  38. ↑ Freeman, Mike (January 28, 1997). "Howard Goes to Disneyland, but Maybe Not Back to Packerland". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9804EED9113AF93BA15752C0A961958260. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
  39. ↑ George, Thomas (January 26, 1998). "Super Bowl XXXII: Victory, At Last, For Elway; Davis Scores 3 Times as Broncos End A.F.C.'s 13-Game Slide". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9407E6DA103BF935A15752C0A96E958260. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
  40. ↑ "Was Sunday Elway's Final Hoorah?". CBS Sportsline. CBS News. January 31, 1999. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1999/01/31/archive/main30864.shtml?source=search_story. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
  41. ↑ Clarke, Liz (January 31, 2000). "Hardy Warner Takes Home a Final Laurel". The Washington Post (The Washington Post Company). http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nfl/longterm/1999/superbowl/stories/nfc31.htm. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
  42. ↑ Pierson, Don (January 29, 2001). "Tagliabue: An honor to give Lewis MVP trophy". Chicago Tribune (The Baltimore Sun). http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/nationworld/sns-superbowl-raylewis,0,6532414.story. Retrieved January 7, 2009. 
  43. ↑ Wood, Skip (February 4, 2002). "Brady proves mettle in biggest game". USA Today (Gannett Company). http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nfl/super/2002-02-04-brady-mvp.htm. Retrieved January 8, 2009. 
  44. ↑ Trotter, Jim (January 27, 2003). "Unsung safety steps up with two first-half interceptions to win the game's biggest prize". The San Diego Union-Tribune (Copley Press). http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/nfl/20030127-1124-outoftheblue.html. Retrieved January 8, 2009. 
  45. ↑ Curran, Tom E. (February 2, 2004). "Twice as nice". The Providence Journal (A. H. Belo). http://www.projo.com/patriots/content/projo_20040202_02latepat.335438.html. Retrieved January 8, 2009. 
  46. ↑ Young, Shalise Manza (February 7, 2005). "Dream comes true for Branch". The Providence Journal (A. H. Belo). http://www.projo.com/patriots/content/projo_20050207_07side1.25287aa.html. Retrieved January 8, 2009. 
  47. ↑ Pedulla, Tom (February 6, 2006). "MVP Ward produces crucial yards at opportune times". USA Today (Gannett Company). http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/steelers/2006-02-05-ward-mvp_x.htm. Retrieved January 8, 2009. 
  48. ↑ Garber, Greg (February 4, 2007). "Manning wins Big One as Colts beat Bears in Super Bowl". ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=270204003. Retrieved January 8, 2009. 
  49. ↑ Lapointe, Joe (February 4, 2008). "Manning Keeps Cool, and Keeps a Drive Alive". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/04/sports/football/04lapointe.html. Retrieved January 8, 2009. 
  50. ↑ Lowrance, G. Newman (February 1, 2009). "Santonio Holmes tapped his toes to score the Steelers' winning touchdown". NFL.com (National Football League). http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2009020100/2008/POST21/steelers@cardinals. Retrieved January 24, 2010. 
  51. ↑ Staff, AP Sports (February 7, 2010). "Saints stop Manning, top Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl". AOLNews.com (AOL News). http://www.aolnews.com/story/saints-stop-manning-top-colts-31-17-in/881782. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  52. ↑ "2008 Regular Season Standings". National Football League. http://www.nfl.com/standings?category=div&season=2008-REG&split=Overall. Retrieved November 13, 2009. 
Super Bowl MVP Award
I: Starr | II: Starr | III: Namath | IV: Dawson | V: Howley | VI: Staubach | VII: Scott | VIII: Csonka | IX: Harris | X: Swann | XI: Biletnikoff | XII : Martin & White | XIII: Bradshaw | XIV: Bradshaw | XV: Plunkett | XVI: Montana | XVII: Riggins | XVIII: Allen | XIX: Montana | XX: Dent | XXI: Simms | XXII: Williams | XXIII: Rice | XXIV: Montana | XXV: Anderson | XXVI: Rypien | XXVII: Aikman | XXVIII: Smith | XXIX: Young | XXX: Brown | XXXI: Howard | XXXII: Davis | XXXIII: Elway | XXXIV: Warner | XXXV: Lewis | XXXVI: Brady | XXXVII: Jackson | XXXVIII: Brady | XXXIX: Branch | XL: Ward | XLI: P. Manning | XLII: E. Manning | XLIII: Holmes | XLIV: Brees
Super Bowl

I 1967 · II 1968 · III 1969 · IV 1970 · V 1971 · VI 1972 · VII 1973 · VIII 1974 · IX 1975 · X 1976 · XI 1977 · XII 1978 · XIII 1979 · XIV 1980 · XV 1981 · XVI 1982 · XVII 1983 · XVIII 1984 · XIX 1985 · XX 1986 · XXI 1987 · XXII 1988 · XXIII 1989 · XXIV 1990 · XXV 1991 · XXVI 1992 · XXVII 1993 · XXVIII 1994 · XXIX 1995 · XXX 1996 · XXXI 1997 · XXXII 1998 · XXXIII 1999 · XXXIV 2000 · XXXV 2001 · XXXVI 2002 · XXXVII 2003 · XXXVIII 2004 · XXXIX 2005 · XL 2006 · XLI 2007 · XLII 2008 · XLIII 2009 · XLIV 2010 · XLV 2011 · XLVI 2012 · XLVII 2013 · XLVIII 2014
Champions · Coaches · Vince Lombardi Trophy · Most Valuable Players · Records · Broadcasters · Officials · National Anthem · Halftime · Advertising · USA Today Ad Meter · Pre-Super Bowl NFL champions · Curse · Counterprogramming · Lead-out programming
National Football League awards and trophies
Team
Vince Lombardi Trophy · Lamar Hunt Trophy (AFC) · George Halas Trophy (NFC)
Individual
Most Valuable Player · Coach of the Year · Offensive Player of the Year · Defensive Player of the Year · Offensive Rookie of the Year · Defensive Rookie of the Year · Comeback Player of the Year · Walter Payton Man of the Year · "Whizzer" White Man of the Year · Super Bowl MVP · Pro Bowl MVP
One-time only
75th Anniversary All-Time Team (1994) · All-Decade Teams
Defunct
Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy · Brunswick-Balke Collender Cup · NEA NFL Defensive MVP · UPI AFL-AFC Player of the Year · UPI NFC Player of the Year · UPI AFL-AFC Rookie of the Year · UPI NFL-NFC Rookie of the Year · NEA NFL Rookie of the Year Award · AFL All-Star Game MVP