Superstars Don't Always Make the Difference in Super Bowl Games

Superstars don't always make the difference in Super Bowl games. Here are some examples of "role" players who had a huge impact on the outcome of a Super Bowl game. These players were not known as great NFL players, much less Hall-of-Famers. Prior to their breakout games, these players were not exactly the first picks in your fantasy football draft.

Super Bowl l, Green Bay Packers 35, Kansas City Chiefs 10
Breakout Player: Max McGee, Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers.

A nearly discarded veteran filling for the injured Boyd Dowler, Max McGee who played sparingly and caught only 4 passes during the regular season, rose to the occasion on January 15, 1967 during Super Bowl l at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. McGee caught seven passes from MVP quarterback Bart Starr for a total of 138 yards and two touchdowns; a completely unanticipated breakout performance.
Super Bowl XXll
Washington Redskins 42, Denver Broncos 10
Breakout player: Timmy Smith, Running Back, Washington

On January 31, 1988 at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, a rookie running back, Timmy Smith, set a Super Bowl record with 204 yards rushing. Surpassing super star Marcus Allen's previous record of 191 yards, Smith scored two touchdowns with a 58-yard run and a 4-yard run. Although Washington quarterback Doug Williams was named MVP, it was the previously little known Smith who broke out from the ranks of the nameless and found a place in history.

Super Bowl XXXl
Green Bay Packers 35, New England Patriots 21
Breakout player: Desmond Howard, Kick/Punt Returner

Although Desmond Howard was a Heisman Trophy winner, he played well under the radar in the pros until Super Bowl XXXl on January 26, 1997 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Howard ran for 154 kickoff return yards, including the pivitol touchdown, a 99-yard kickoff return.

In his breakout performance as the first special teams' player to be named MVP, Howard, with 244 combined net yards, racked up 90 yards on punt returns alone. According to Superbowl.com, after a New England touchdown with 3:27 left in the third quarter, "Howard broke the Patriot's spirit by returning the ensuing kickoff a Super Bowl record 99 yards."

Super Bowl XV
Oakland Raiders 27, Philadelphia Eagles 10
Breakout player: Rod Martin, Linebacker, Oakland

On a defense heavy with superstars and Hall of Famers, e.g. John Matuszak, Ted Hendricks, Matt Millen and Lester Hayes, it was little known Oakland linebacker Rod Martin who made three key interceptions to help seal the victory over the explosive offense of the Philadelphia Eagles.

On January 25, 1981 at the Superdome in New Orleans, Oakland Quarterback Jim Plunkett was named MVP with the help of the record setting 80 yard touchdown reception by running back Kenny King; however, it was Rod Martin who surprised everyone with a dominating performance.

Super Bowl XXX
Dallas Cowboys 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 17
Breakout player: Larry Brown, Defensive Back, Dallas Cowboys

After Super Bowl XXX, January 28, 1996 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, Cornerback Larry Brown vaulted from obscurity. With two interceptions and 14 second-half points, Brown spurred the Cowboys to afifth Super Bowl title.

With 4:15 remaining, Pittsburgh, with possession and down only 20-17, saw victory wiped away as Brown made a second interception off of Pittsburgh quarterback O'Donnell. Brown made the pick at the 39 and returned it to the Pittsburgh six-yard line. For his breakout performance, Larry Smith was named MVP of Super Bowl XXX.

Will there be a breakout performance this year, for Super Bowl XLl? Hundreds of thousands of fans hope so.