The 7 Most Surprising Super Bowl MVPs of All-Time

7. Dexter Jackson, Super Bowl XXXVII MVP: The Bucs' unsung safety, Jackson, intercepts the Raiders' Rich Gannon twice in the first half to contribute to Tampa's lopsided 48-21 victory. Jackson's steady, yet, not overly impressive career spanned 11 years as an NFL safety. Jackson currently plays for the Florida Tuskers in the United Football League. The game's margin of victory and Gannon's five total interceptions slightly dilute Jackson's performance.

6. Santonio Holmes, Super Bowl XLIII MVP: The Steelers' Holmes caps a brilliant 9-catch, 131-yard performance with the immortalized game-winning reception versus Warner and the Cardinals. Holmes, an established NFL receiver, delivers a legendary XLIII performance shocking the Cardinals and rewriting Super Bowl lore.

5. Larry Brown, Super Bowl XXX MVP: Two second-half interceptions from Cowboys' cornerback, Larry Brown, leads to a 27-17 victory versus Pittsburgh, inspiring an unlikely Super Bowl MVP. The Los Angeles Southwest College corner was selected 320^th overall by Dallas in 1991, compiling a modest career total of 14 interceptions.

4. Desmond Howard, Super Bowl XXXI MVP: The former Heisman winner from Michigan, Howard, delivers the greatest kick returning performance in Super Bowl history, amassing a record 244 total return yards. A 3^rd quarter return for a touchdown seals the Packers' 35-21 victory versus the Patriots.

3. Joe Namath, Super Bowl III MVP: The legendary guarantee from the Jets' "Broadway Joe," comes to fruition versus the heavily-favored Colts, in the Super Bowl's most memorable upset. Namath's steady play garners the award, but the Jets' defense deserves significant credit.

2. Eli Manning, Super Bowl XLII MVP: The Giants' Manning derails the Patriots' perfect season with a stunning, late-touchdown drive in the Super Bowl's greatest statistical upset. David Tyree's legendary catch overshadows Manning's sensational scramble, yet, repeatedly clutch passing earns the son of Archie, a well-deserved and unexpected MVP award.

1. Chuck Howley, Super Bowl V MVP: The Dallas Cowboys' 6-time Pro Bowl linebacker, Howley, intercepts two passes and recovers a fumble to become the Super Bowl's first defensive MVP. In spite of a 16-13 loss to the Colts, Howley incredibly wins the first and only MVP awarded to a Super Bowl loser.

Sources:
"From Tough Background, Holmes Emerges as Super Bowl MVP," Associated Press.
"Former Tampa Bay Bucs thriving as Florida Tuskers in the United Football League." Orlando Sentinel.
"Larry Brown," http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=BROWNLAR06.
"NFL Game Center: New York Giants and New England Patriots," http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2008020300/2007/POST21/giants@patriots.
"NFL Super Bowl XXX: Cowboys 27, Steelers 17," http://www.ihavenet.com/nfl-superbowl-XXX-cowboys-steelers.html.
"NFL Super Bowl V: Colts 16, Cowboys 13" http://www.ihavenet.com/nfl-superbowl-V-colts-cowboys.html.
"NFL Super Bowl XXXI: Packers 35, Patriots 21," http://www.ihavenet.com/nfl-superbowl-XXXI-packers-patriots.html.
"NFL Super Bowl XXXVII: Tampa Bay 48, Oakland 21," http://www.ihavenet.com/nfl-superbowl-XXXVII-buccaneers-raiders.html.