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20 Players Who Became Legends Because of the Super Bowl

The Super Bowl has forged legends, turning great players into immortals with unforgettable performances that define football history.

  • Alyana Aguja
  • 7 min read
20 Players Who Became Legends Because of the Super Bowl
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The Super Bowl isn’t just a championship game. It is, after all, the greatest stage for a player to put his name in football history. Comeback after jaw-dropping comebacks, performances that break records, legends such as Tom Brady, Jerry Rice, and Joe Montana were on stage when it mattered the most. These 20 players didn’t win titles; they created moments that would be replayed, remembered, and revered for all time.

1. Tom Brady (QB – Patriots/Buccaneers)

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No one has been more dominant in the Super Bowl than Tom Brady, with seven titles and five Super Bowl MVPs. His epic 28-3 comeback against the Falcons in Super Bowl LI is one of the greatest performances in NFL history. His final Super Bowl win with the Buccaneers at age 43 solidified him as the undisputed GOAT.

2. Joe Montana (QB – 49ers)

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“Joe Cool” went a perfect 4-0 in Super Bowls, earning three MVP awards. His legendary 92-yard game-winning drive against the Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII is still one of the most clutch moments in NFL history. Montana never threw an interception in a Super Bowl, further proving his poise under pressure.

3. Jerry Rice (WR – 49ers/Raiders)

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Rice owns nearly every Super Bowl receiving record, including most career yards (589) and touchdowns (8). His 215-yard, three-touchdown performance in Super Bowl XXIII remains one of the greatest receiving games ever. No wide receiver has dominated the Super Bowl stage like Rice.

4. Terry Bradshaw (QB – Steelers)

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Bradshaw twice led the Steelers to four Super Bowl wins in six years, winning two MVP awards. Pittsburgh’s dynasty became defined by deep passes to Lynn Swann and John Stallworth, and he was known for being able to win games with his arm, as shown by his 318 yards and four touchdowns in Super Bowl XIII.

5. John Elway (QB – Broncos)

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Elway made five Super Bowl appearances during his career, including two consecutive wins at the end. In Super Bowl XXXII, his “Helicopter Run” for a touchdown showed the world he was going to win that championship. The following season, he was awarded the Super Bowl MVP, and he retired as a champion.

6. Patrick Mahomes (QB – Chiefs)

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Mahomes already had two Super Bowl MVPs, leading the Chiefs in come-from-behind victories in Super Bowls LIV and LVII. In his second title, he had a heroic second half on an injured ankle. With multiple championships and Super Bowl MVPs prior to turning 30, he’s establishing a legendary career.

7. Eli Manning (QB – Giants)

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Manning stunned the world twice by defeating the 18-0 Patriots in Super Bowl XLII and doing it again in Super Bowl XLVI. His clutch throw to David Tyree (the Helmet Catch) and pinpoint accuracy to Mario Manningham in the second meeting sealed his legendary status. He remains one of the most unlikely but undeniable Super Bowl heroes.

8. Peyton Manning (QB – Colts/Broncos)

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After years of playoff frustration, Peyton finally brought a Super Bowl to the Colts in 2006. Later, he made history as the first QB to win Super Bowls with two different teams, leading the Broncos to victory in Super Bowl 50. Even though his second title wasn’t about stats, it capped off a Hall of Fame career.

9. Bart Starr (QB – Packers)

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Starr won the two inaugural Super Bowls and set the norm for champions. He was named MVP both times, guiding the Packers with precision and leadership. In the 1960s, he established Green Bay as NFL’s first dynasty.

10. Steve Young (QB – 49ers)

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Young finally emerged from under Joe Montana’s shadow in Super Bowl XXIX with a record six touchdown passes. His 325-yard, MVP performance against the Chargers ended doubts that he was anything but an all-time great. It was one of the most dominating QB performances in Super Bowl history.

11. Lynn Swann (WR – Steelers)

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Swann’s acrobatic catches in Super Bowl X helped Pittsburgh win, earning him MVP honors. His 161-yard performance, including a breathtaking juggling catch, showcased his big-game brilliance. He was the first wide receiver to win Super Bowl MVP.

12. Marcus Allen (RB – Raiders)

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Allen’s 191-yard rushing performance in Super Bowl XVIII, capped by a legendary 74-yard touchdown run, earned him MVP honors. His ability to change direction and speed made him nearly unstoppable. His performance remains one of the greatest by a running back in Super Bowl history.

13. Emmitt Smith (RB – Cowboys)

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Smith was the workhorse behind three Cowboys championships, with his power and vision pounding defenses into submission. In Super Bowl XXVIII, he took over in the second half, rushing for 132 yards and two touchdowns to win MVP. His Super Bowl dominance cemented his place as one of the greatest running backs ever.

14. Troy Aikman (QB – Cowboys)

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Aikman won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys, winning MVP honors in Super Bowl XXVII after a near-perfect performance. His 22-of-30 passing for 273 yards and four touchdowns dismantled the Bills. Aikman’s efficiency and leadership made him the centerpiece of Dallas’ dynasty.

15. Ray Lewis (LB – Ravens)

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Lewis was the heart of Baltimore’s dominant defense in Super Bowl XXXV, winning MVP as a linebacker. The Ravens allowed just 152 total yards, one of the greatest defensive performances in Super Bowl history. He later led the Ravens to another title in Super Bowl XLVII, ending his career as a two-time champion.

16. Von Miller (LB – Broncos)

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Miller’s two strip-sacks of Cam Newton in Super Bowl 50 led to a defensive clinic and an MVP award. His relentless pass rush dominated the game, leading the Broncos to a 24-10 win. His performance was one of the most impactful defensive displays in Super Bowl history.

17. Julian Edelman (WR – Patriots)

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Edelman won Super Bowl MVP in LIII with 141 yards on 10 catches, carrying the Patriots’ offense. His clutch catches, including the miraculous grab against the Falcons in Super Bowl LI, defined his postseason greatness. Never selected to a Pro Bowl, his Super Bowl heroics made him a legend.

18. Franco Harris (RB – Steelers)

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Harris was an integral member of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ four Super Bowl championships, rushing for a then-franchise record 158 yards in Super Bowl IX. His pounding running helped define the Steelers as a dynasty. Though he will always be remembered for the “Immaculate Reception,” his performances in the Super Bowl are proofs of his greatness.

19. Doug Williams (QB – Washington)

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Williams was the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl, and he threw four touchdowns in one quarter during Super Bowl XXII. His 340-yard, MVP performance broke stereotypes and inspired future generations. His second-quarter explosion remains one of the most electrifying moments in Super Bowl history.

20. Deion Sanders (CB – 49ers/Cowboys)

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“Prime Time” took two consecutive Super Bowls with the 49ers and Cowboys and made game-changing plays for each of those defenses. His pick in Super Bowl XXIX and lockdown coverage in Super Bowl XXX displayed elite skill. He remains one of only few players to win back-to-back Super Bowls playing for two different teams as key contributors.

Written by: Alyana Aguja

Alyana is a Creative Writing graduate with a lifelong passion for storytelling, sparked by her father’s love of books. She’s been writing seriously for five years, fueled by encouragement from teachers and peers. Alyana finds inspiration in all forms of art, from films by directors like Yorgos Lanthimos and Quentin Tarantino to her favorite TV shows like Mad Men and Modern Family. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her immersed in books, music, or painting, always chasing her next creative spark.

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