Not every Super Bowl MVP had the best stats in their game; in fact, quite a few of them were outplayed, either by their teammates or by someone on the other side of the ball. Some of the MVPs below were clearly not the best player on the field; others, while posting great numbers, had the benefit of great supporting performances by teammates:
MVP: Bart Starr, 16-23 for 250 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Couldabeen-MVP: Max McGee, 7 catches, 138 yards (19.7 yards/catch), 2 TD, one hangover
Super Bowl III
MVP: Joe Namath, 17-28, 206 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, one mouth that wouldn’t shut up
Couldabeen-MVP: Matt Snell, 30 rushes, 121 yards, 1 TD
Super Bowl XVI
MVP: Joe Montana, 14-22 for 157 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, first SB victory
Couldabeen-MVP: Ken Anderson, 25-34, 300 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT, lost game
Couldabeen-MVP: Dan Butz, key defensive player on a four-down goal-line stand
MVP: Joe Montana, 24-35, 331 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
Couldabeen-MVP: Roger Craig, 135 total yards, 3 TD
Super Bowl XXI
MVP: Doug Williams, 18-29, 340 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT, “How long have you been a black quarterback?”
Couldabeen-MVP: Timmy Smith, 22 rushes, 204 yards, 2 TD
Couldabeen-MVP: Ricky Sanders, 9 catches, 193 yards (21.4 yards/catch), 2 TD
Couldabeen-MVP: Entire Washington offense, 602 net total yards
Super Bowl XXIII
MVP: Jerry Rice, 11 catches, 215 yards (19.5 yards/catch), 1 TD
Couldabeen-MVP: Joe Montana, 23-36, 357 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, only Super Bowl MVP he didn’t win, and a much better performance than his first MVP
Couldabeen-MVP: Roger Craig, 172 total yards
Super Bowl XXIV
MVP: Joe Montana, 22-29, 297 yards, 5 TD
Couldabeen-MVP: Jerry Rice, 7 catches, 148 yards (21.1 yards/catch), 3 TD, arguably a better game when he won the MVP
Super Bowl XXXVI
MVP: Tom Brady, 16-27, 145 yards, 1 TD, how many MVPs have less than half the passing yards of the opposing QB?
Couldabeen-MVP: Kurt Warner, 28-44, 365 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Super Bowl XXXIX
MVP: Deion Branch, 11 catches, 133 yards, 0 TD
Couldabeen-MVP: Donavon McNabb, 30-51, 357 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT, lost the game
Super Bowl XL
MVP: Hines Ward, 5 catches, 125 yards (24.6 yards/catch), 1 TD
Couldabeen-MVP: Officials, two phantom calls against the Seahawks
obviously, this year is no different....crack prevails. they might as well have voted this guy mvp of the super bowl upon their win two weeks ago. if you were watching the same game, you also might have seen bob sanders pretty much take over the game tonight after he turned around the worst defensive team in the league upon his return. what could he have done to receive the votes??? maybe thrown a touchdown pass or participated in the halftime entertainment??????