Super Bowl XLIX is upon us as some of the league’s biggest names like Richard Sherman, Rob Gronkowski, Tom Brady and Russell Wilson will take the NFL’s biggest stage. Throughout the history of what has become the biggest spectacle in American sports, some performances last in our minds forever, but some have slipped under the radar. Here’s a look at the 10 most underrated individual performances in the history of Super Sunday:
10. Darrien Gordon, CB
Denver Broncos
Super Bowl XXXIII
Super Bowl XXXIII will forever be known as the final game in the legendary career of John Elways, but cornerback Darrien Gordon played a major role in Denver’s 34-19 victory over Atlanta. Gordon intercepted Chris Chandler twice deep in Atlanta territory in the fourth quarter and had returns of 50 and 58 yards. His two long returns set up Broncos touchdowns to help put the game away.
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 1: Quarterback Jake Delhomme #17 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates with Steve Smith #89 after Smith caught a 5-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter during Super Bowl XXXVIII agains the New England Patriots at Reliant Stadium on February 1, 2004 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
9. Jake Delhomme, QB
Carolina Panthers
Super Bowl XXXVIII
Super Bowl XXXVIII ended as Super Bowl XXXVI did: with a Tom Brady engineered drive and a last second Adam Vinatieri field goal, but Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme played very well in the Panthers’ 32-29 loss. Delhomme went just 16-for-33 passing, but threw for 323 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Delhomme led three fourth quarter touchdown drives as the Panthers drew even at 29 with just over a minute to play.
8. Jerry Rice, WR
San Francisco 49ers
Super Bowl XXIX
It’s hard to imagine that a performance from a player most still consider the greatest wide receiver in the history of the NFL could go unnoticed, but Jerry Rice’s effort in Super Bowl XXIX is one of the best in Super Bowl history. Rice’s quarterback Steve Young took home the MVP award by throwing six touchdowns, but Rice caught 10 passes for 149 yards and three touchdowns including the quickest touchdown in Super Bowl history as Rice scored from 44 yards out less than 90 seconds in.
7. Willie Davis, DE & Darnell Dockett, DE
Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals
Super Bowl II and XLIII
Willie Davis and Darnell Dockett each recorded three sacks in the Super Bowl. Davis did it in a 33-14 victory over the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II. Dockett got to Ben Roethlisberger three times in Super Bowl XLIII as a member of the Arizona Cardinals.
6. Kurt Warner, QB
Arizona Cardinals
Super Bowl XLIII
Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback Kurt Warner was stellar in a 27-23 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII. Warner overcame an interception that was returned 100 yards for a touchdown right before the half to finish with 377 yards passing and three touchdowns. His 64-yard strike to Larry Fitzgerald put Arizona ahead with 2:37 to play, but the Steelers were able to answer with a score of their own two minutes later.
5. L.C. Greenwood, DE
Pittsburgh Steelers
Super Bowl X
Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive end L.C. Greenwood still holds the Super Bowl record for sacks with four against the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl X. Greenwood and the “Steel Curtain” defense held Dallas to 270 yards and forced three turnovers in a 21-17 victory.
SAN DIEGO – JANUARY 26: Cornerback Dwight Smith #26 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers intercepts a pass by quarterback Rich Gannon #12 in the third quarter of Super Bowl XXXVII against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium on January 26, 2003 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers won 48-21. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
4. Dwight Smith, CB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Super Bowl XXXVII
Though his secondary colleague Dexter Jackson got the MVP nod, Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ cornerback Dwight Smith had one of the greatest defensive performances in Super Bowl history. Smith intercepted a pair of passes and returned each for a touchdown in a 48-21 victory over the Oakland Raiders. Smith had touchdown returns of 44 and 50 yards.
3. New York Giants’ Defense
New York Giants
Super Bowl XLII
It’s hard to single out one defensive player from the Giants’ Super Bowl XLII performance. While the throw by Eli Manning and the catch by David Tyree will always be remembered by NFL fans, what’s often overlooked is the play of the Giants’ defense. During the regular season, the New England Patriots scored an NFL record 589 points. In a 17-14 victory over the previously undefeated Patriots, New York held New England to just two scores, 274 yards of offense and sacked quarterback Tom Brady five times.
2. Rod Martin, LB
Oakland Raiders
Super Bowl XV
Quarterback Jim Plunkett was named the MVP of Super Bowl XV as the Oakland Raiders became the first wild card team to win the Super Bowl, topping the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10. During the contest however, linebacker Rod Martin set a Super Bowl record by intercepting Philadelphia’s Ron Jaworski three times.
SAN DIEGO – JANUARY 31: Quarterback Doug Williams #17 of the Washington Redskins prepares to hand of the ball to running back Timmy Smith #36 during Super Bowl XXII against the Denver Broncos at Jack Murphy Stadium on January 31, 1988 in San Diego, California. The Redskins won 42-10. (Photo by Mike Powell/Getty Images)
1. Timmy Smith, RB
Washington Redskins
Super Bowl XXII
The performance Washington Redskins’ quarterback Doug Williams put forward in Super Bowl XXII will never be forgotten as Williams passed for 340 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-10 trouncing of the Denver Broncos. Williams was named the game’s MVP, but running back Timmy Smith had the best rushing day in Super Bowl history. Smith ran for 204 yards on 22 carries and a pair of touchdowns including an electrifying 58-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter. More than 25 years later, Smith’s record remains intact.