Indiana Super Bowl Heroes

Although Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts have done their level best over the last decade or so to bring Indiana into the national football spotlight, the fact remains that the Hoosier state is low on the totem pole when it comes to being able to claim historically significant NFL moments. Nevertheless, before the Colts rose to prominence, there were some players with Indiana ties who rose to the occasion of the sport's pinnacle, winning the Super Bowl MVP award. Here are those Hoosier standouts.

Len Dawson
Purdue University assistant coach Hank Stram successfully wooed Dawson from the clutches of Ohio State's Woody Hayes during recruiting, and Dawson led the Big Ten in passing during his three seasons in West Lafayette. In the midst of a Hall of Fame NFL career, Dawson found himself at the helm of the AFL Champion Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl IV, leading them to victory over the Minnesota Vikings and garnering the MVP award.

Joe Montana
Before he led the San Francisco 49ers to the promised land multiple times, Montana fought his way into Notre Dame's starting lineup and then orchestrated one of the most stunning comebacks in college football history when the Fighting Irish defeated the University of Houston in the 1979 Cotton Bowl. Just three years later, Montana led San Francisco to their first Super Bowl ever and guided them to victory over the Cincinnati B"engals. In the process, he picked up the first of his three Super Bowl MVP awards.

Drew Brees
Brees torched the Big Ten during his career at Purdue and graduated with conference records for TD passes, total offensive yards, pass attempts, and completions. Many doubted his viability as an NFL quarterback, but he was solid with the San Diego Chargers before a shoulder injury made him expendable. Brees resurfaced quickly with the New Orleans Saints and soon established himself as one of the most prolific passers in the league. His efforts culminated in a stunning upset of the heavily favored Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV, along with the Super Bowl MVP award.

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While none of these guys actually hail from Indiana, their time in college here propelled them onto the national scene. All used that experience as a springboard to the NFL and, ultimately, to the Super Bowl MVP award.