The Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award, or Super Bowl MVP is an award handed out to the most valuable player in the Super Bowl. The winner is chosen by a fan vote during the game and by a panel of 16 American football writers and broadcasters who vote after the game. The media panel's ballots count for 80 percent of the vote tally, while the viewers' ballots make up the other 20 percent. Traditionally, the award goes to a player on the winning team. However, there has been one occasion where the losing team got the MVP Award.
Super Bowls[]
Super Bowl I[]
Bart Starr was the MVP of Super Bowl I. Starr was the first winner of the MVP award. He passed for 250 yards, and 2 touchdowns during the game. The Green Bay Packers won by 25 points. His top target in the game was Max McGee.
Super Bowl II[]
Bart Starr was also named the MVP of Super Bowl II. Making him one of four players to be named MVP in two different Super Bowls. His performance in Super Bowl II wasn't as good as his performance in the first Super Bowl, completing only 13 of 24 passes for one touchdown, and one interception. His top target in the game was Carroll Dale.
Super Bowl III[]
Joe Namath was the MVP of Super Bowl III. Becoming the second player to hold the title. Namath had boldly guaranteed the Jets to win Super Bowl III. Though he threw no touchdowns, he was still named the MVP. It was running back Matt Snell who had the sole touchdown for the New York Jets. Namath's top target for the game was George Sauer.
Super Bowl IV[]
Len Dawson was the MVP of Super Bowl IV. Dawson had a single touchdown in the game, a pass to Otis Taylor. It was the fourth consecutive time that a quarterback would be named MVP.
Super Bowl V[]
Chuck Howley was the MVP of Super Bowl V. He was the first defensive player to win the award, and the first non-quarterback. Despite winning the award, his team, the Dallas Cowboys, lost Super Bowl V. It is the only time in Super Bowl History that a player on the losing team received the award. He intercepted two passes from Johnny Unitas during the game. Howley refused to accept the award, as it had no meaning to him because his team had lost.
Super Bowl VI[]
Roger Staubach was the MVP of Super Bowl VI. He threw two touchdowns during the course of the game. He was the fourth different Quarterback to be named MVP. His favorite target in the game was Duane Thomas, though he threw to six different receivers. Though Staubach received the MVP, it was probably the rushing game of the Cowboys that allowed them to win the Super Bowl, rushing for a combined 252 yards, a Super Bowl record at the time.
Super Bowl VII[]
Jake Scott was the MVP of Super Bowl VII. He was the second defensive player to be named MVP. He was the first defensive player to be named MVP that also won the Super Bowl in that year. He intercepted two of Billy Kilmer's passes during the game, helping the Miami Dolphins overcome the Washington Redskins 14-7.
Super Bowl VIII[]
Larry Csonka was the MVP of Super Bowl VIII. He was the first Running Back to be named Super Bowl MVP. He ran for 145 yards, and two touchdowns during the course of the game-- scoring almost a third of the points for the Miami Dolphins. He helped them become the second team to win back to back Super Bowls.
Super Bowl IX[]
Franco Harris was the MVP of Super Bowl IX. He was the second Running Back to be named Super Bowl MVP. He ran for 158 yards, and one touchdown.
Super Bowl X[]
Lynn Swann was the MVP of Super Bowl X. He was the first Wide Receiver to be named Super Bowl MVP. He had 161 yards and one touchdown. He had four receptions in the game, including a 64 yard pass from Terry Bradshaw which he took for his sole Touchdown.
Super Bowl XI[]
Fred Biletnikoff was the MVP of Super Bowl XI. He was the second Wide Receiver to be named Super Bowl MVP. Though he didn't score any touchdowns, he did set up three for the Oakland Raiders which would help them win the game. Of the six Wide Receivers named MVP, Biletnikoff is the only one not to have 100 receiving yards in the game.
Super Bowl XII[]
Randy White and Harvey Martin Defensive End and Defensive Linemen respectively were Co-MVP's of Super Bowl XII. It was the first time that two players would share the honor. The Dallas Cowboys Defense allowed only 8 completions from Quarterbacks Craig Norton and Norris Weese for a combined 61 yards. Morton had 4 interceptions in the game, and the Denver Broncos turned the ball over four other times as well.
Super Bowl XIII[]
Terry Bradshaw was the MVP of Super Bowl XIII. In a matchup that had two teams fighting for their third Super Bowl, Bradshaw started off poorly, keeping the Dallas Cowboys in the game with an interception, and two fumbles, he managed 318 yards, and 4 touchdowns, winning the Pittsburgh Steelers their third Super Bowl. His favorite target was Lynn Swann who had 7 catches for 124 yards.
Super Bowl XIV[]
Terry Bradshaw became the second player to be named MVP a second time, with Super Bowl XIV, leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to their fourth Super Bowl. He was named MVP despite having 3 interceptions in the game. His favorite target once again was Lynn Swann.
Super Bowl XV[]
Jim Plunkett was the MVP of Super Bowl XV. Plunkett had three touchdowns over the course of the game, with 261 passing yards. His favorite target was Cliff Branch. He was the second Heisman Trophy winner to be named Super Bowl MVP as well after Roger Staubach.
Super Bowl XVI[]
Joe Montana was the MVP of Super Bowl XVI. He passed for 157 yards, and one touchdown, and ran a touchdown in as well. His favorite targets were Freddie Solomon and Dwight Clark. It was a highly contested game that started off great for the San Francisco 49ers. But the Cincinnati Bengals managed to catch up, making a close game of it in the second half.
Super Bowl XVII[]
John Riggins was the MVP of Super Bowl XVII. Riggins ran for 166 yards and one touchdown. He also had a reception for 15 yards. That reception gave him more yards than the entire Miami Dolphins team. This Super Bowl came at the end of the players strike.
Super Bowl XVIII[]
Marcus Allen was the MVP of Super Bowl XVIII. He ran for 191 yards and two touchdowns in the game, including a run of 74 yards, which is now the second longest run in a Super Bowl ever. He averaged 9.6 yards per attempt in the game.
Super Bowl XIX[]
Joe Montana was the MVP of Super Bowl XIX. He became the third player to be named MVP in more than one Super Bowl, and the only player to not do so back to back. He had 331 yards, and 3 touchdowns. He also had one rushing touchdown and 59 rushing yards. His favorite target to throw to was Roger Craig, though he had four receivers with 4 or more catches in the game.
Super Bowl XX[]
Richard Dent was the MVP of Super Bowl XX. Dent was a Defensive End who forced two fumbles in the game. He was the first Defensive player to win the MVP in seven years. It would be another nine years after him, for another Defensive player to be named MVP.
Super Bowl XXI[]
Phil Simms was the MVP of Super Bowl XXI. He had 268 yards for 3 touchdowns. He holds the record for highest completion percentage in the Super Bowl with 88%. His favorite target was Mark Bavaro. He had three different receivers with 50 or more yards.
Super Bowl XXII[]
Doug Williams was the MVP of Super Bowl XXII. Williams became the first African-American Quarterback to win a Super Bowl with his win. He had a total of 340 yards for 4 touchdowns. Of special note, all four of his touchdowns were scored in the second quarter. With his performance, he became the first player in Super Bowl history to throw for four touchdowns in a half, and in a quarter. His favorite target was Ricky Sanders to whom he threw 9 times. Sanders received two of Williams' touchdowns, and 193 yards.
Super Bowl XXIII[]
Jerry Rice was the MVP of Super Bowl XXIII. Rice had 215 yards, and one touchdown. He also set a record for number of receptions by a Wide Receiver in a Super Bowl with 11. Rice ended up being the last MVP under NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle.
Super Bowl XXIV[]
Joe Montana was the MVP of Super Bowl XXIV. Making him the only player to be named MVP three times. This is in spite of him never winning the title in back to back years, though an argument could be made for him being MVP the previous year as well. This was also his fourth Super Bowl. He had 295 passing yards, and 5 touchdowns. He also set the record for most consecutive passes completed in a Super Bowl at 13. His favorite target was Jerry Rice who he threw three of his five touchdown passes to.
Super Bowl XXV[]
Ottis Anderson was the MVP of Super Bowl XXV. Anderson had 102 yards and a touchdown in the game. The win was all the more impressive, as the Bills were favored.
Super Bowl XXVI[]
Mark Rypien was the MVP of Super Bowl XXVI. The Washington Redskins had jumped to a 24-0 lead early in the third quarter. Rypien passed for 292 yards and 2 touchdowns in the game. His favorite targets were Art Monk and Gary Clark.
Super Bowl XXVII[]
Troy Aikman was the MVP of Super Bowl XXVII. It was the third try for the Buffalo Bills against an NFC East team in the Super Bowl. And yet again they came up short. Aikman threw for 273 yards and 4 touchdowns. His favorite targets were Jay Novacek, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin. All of which had 6 or more catches in the game.
Super Bowl XXVIII[]
Emmitt Smith was the MVP of Super Bowl XXVIII. It was the fourth try for Jim Kelly and the Buffalo Bills against an NFC East team in the Super Bowl. And it was also the second try in a row against the Dallas Cowboys. Smith had 108 rushing yards and a touchdown in the game. It would be the last time two 1 seeds faced off in the Super Bowl until 2009.
Super Bowl XXIX[]
Steve Young was the MVP of Super Bowl XXIX. It was the fifth super bowl win for the San Francisco 49ers. Young threw for 325 yards and 6 touchdowns (a super bowl record). He tied Doug Williams for the most touchdowns in a half. His favorite target was Jerry Rice who almost tied his own record for most receptions in a Super Bowl. Rice caught three of Young's 6 touchdowns.
Super Bowl XXX[]
Larry Brown was the MVP of Super Bowl XXX. He recorded two interceptions in the game, which lead to two touchdowns for the Dallas Cowboys. He remains the only Cornerback to win the honor.
Super Bowl XXXI[]
Desmond Howard was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXI. He became the first member of the special teams unit to do so. He had 154 return yards, and a 99 yard return for a touchdown that clinched the game for the Green Bay Packers.
Super Bowl XXXII[]
Terrell Davis was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIII. Davis rushed for 157 yards, and 3 touchdowns, setting a record for most Rushing Touchdowns in a Super Bowl. Davis also had two receptions for 8 yards.
Super Bowl XXXIII[]
John Elway was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIII. He passed for 336 yards, and one touchdown. He also ran a touchdown in. He was the oldest player ever named Super Bowl MVP. His favorite target was Rod Smith. Elway retired just months after winning the honor.
Super Bowl XXXIV[]
Kurt Warner was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIV. He passed for 414 yards and 2 touchdowns. This performance gave him two Super Bowl records-- most attempts without an interception (45), and most yards in a single game. His favorite targets were Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt, all of which had at least 5 receptions, and 90 or more receiving yards.
Super Bowl XXXV[]
Ray Lewis was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXV. He made 11 tackles, and blocked 4 passes. Lewis was the first Linebacker to win the Super Bowl MVP on a winning team.
Super Bowl XXXVI[]
Tom Brady was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXVI. He had 145 yards, and one touchdown. But his crowning achievement was marching his team down the field for the game winning drive. Brady's favorite target was Troy Brown.
Super Bowl XXXVII[]
Dexter Jackson was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXVII. Jackson had two interceptions in the game, which lead to him receiving the honor. He is currently the last defensive player to win Super Bowl MVP.
Super Bowl XXXVIII[]
Tom Brady was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXVIII. Which makes him the fourth, and last player to be named MVP more than once. He also becomes the second player not to do so in consecutive years. Brady threw for 354 yards and 3 touchdowns. His favorite target was Deion Branch.
Super Bowl XXXIX[]
Deion Branch was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX. Branch tied the record for most receptions in a Super Bowl at 11. He also had 133 receiving yards. He also set the record for most receptions in back to back Super Bowls at 21. He was the third offensive player to win the honor without scoring a touchdown.
Super Bowl XL[]
Hines Ward was the MVP of Super Bowl XL. He received 123 yards and one touchdown in the game.
Super Bowl XLI[]
Peyton Manning was the MVP of Super Bowl XLI. He had 247 yards and a single touchdown in the game. His favorite target was Running Back Joseph Addai, whom he passed to a total of 10 times. Manning's longest pass in the game was 53 yards to Reggie Wayne.
Super Bowl XLII[]
Eli Manning was the MVP of Super Bowl XLII. He and his brother won MVP's back to back. Manning won because of his game winning drive, where he avoided a sack, and completed a pass to David Tyree to keep the drive alive. He passed for 255 yards, and 1 touchdown in the game. His favorite target was Amani Toomer, but his single touchdown pass was to Tyree.
Super Bowl XLIII[]
Santonio Holmes was the MVP of Super Bowl XLIII. Holmes had 9 catches for 131 yards and a touchdown in the game. His touchdown came late in the 4th quarter, giving the Arizona Cardinals little time to make a comeback. Holmes effectively won the game for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Super Bowl XLIV[]
Drew Brees was the MVP of Super Bowl XLIV. Brees tied Tom Brady's record of 32 completions in a single Super Bowl. He and Peyton Manning set the record for most completions by both Quarterbacks combined in a Super Bowl as well. Brees passed for 288 yards and two touchdowns in the game. He had 8 receivers with a reception, and 3 with six or more receptions. His favorite targets were Marques Colston and Devery Henderson.
Super Bowl XLV[]
Aaron Rodgers was the MVP of Super Bowl XLV, completing 24 of 39 passes for 304 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Super Bowl XLVI[]
Eli Manning was the MVP of Super Bowl XLVI. It was his second Super Bowl MVP award. Manning completed 30 of 40 passes for 296 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. He became the third consecutive quarterback to win the award after Aaron Rodgers in Super Bowl XLV and Drew Brees in Super Bowl XLIV.
Super Bowl XLVII[]
Joe Flacco was the MVP of Super Bowl XLVII. Flacco completed 22 of 33 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns, became the fourth quarterback in a row to be named Super Bowl MVP, after Drew Brees at Super Bowl XLIV, Aaron Rodgers at Super Bowl XLV, and Eli Manning at Super Bowl XLVI.
Super Bowl XLVIII[]
Malcolm Smith was the MVP of Super Bowl XLVIII. Smith returned one of Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning's thrown interceptions for a 69 yard pick-six touchdown, recovered a fumble by Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas in the third quarter after it was forced by teammate Byron Maxwell. and made nine tackles. He became the first defensive player to win the award since Dexter Jackson in Super Bowl XXXVII.
Super Bowl XLIX[]
Tom Brady was the MVP of Super Bowl XLIX. Brady won his third Super Bowl MVP award, tying the record held by Joe Montana. Brady completed 37 of 50 passes for 328 yards and four touchdowns, with two interceptions. His 37 completions set a new Super Bowl record, surpassing Peyton Manning's 34 set the previous year against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII. He also surpassed Joe Montana's record for career touchdown passes in Super Bowls, setting a new record with 13. His top receiver was Julian Edelman, who caught 9 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for seven yards and returning three punts for 27 additional yards.
Super Bowl 50[]
Von Miller was the MVP of Super Bowl 50. Miller recorded six tackles, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two quarterback hurries. Miller forced two fumbles from Panthers quarterback and league MVP Cam Newton. In the first quarter, Miller forced a fumble on Newton while sacking him, allowing defensive end Malik Jackson to recover it in the end zone for a Broncos touchdown, giving the team a 10–0 lead, and in the fourth quarter, with the Broncos leading 16–10 with 4:51 left in regulation when the Panthers were attempting a game-winning drive, Miller forced a second fumble on Newton, ending their game-winning drive, and the Broncos offense afterwards scored a touchdown to seal the victory. Miller became the first linebacker since Malcolm Smith in Super Bowl XLVIII to win the award.
Super Bowl LI[]
Tom Brady was the MVP of Super Bowl LI. Brady was named Super Bowl MVP for a record fourth time and was the oldest player to receive the honor at 39. Down 28–3 halfway through the third quarter, Brady and the Patriots would lead the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history. He and the Patriots scored 25 unanswered points to tie the game in the final seconds of regulation, eventually winning the Super Bowl in the very first overtime in Super Bowl history by scoring a touchdown. Brady completed 43 of 62 passes for 466 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception, while also rushing for 15 yards. His completions, attempts, and passing yards were all single-game Super Bowl records. Brady ultimately became the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl in which he threw a ball that was intercepted for a touchdown. He also set the career Super Bowl records for games played (7), completions (207), attempts (309), yards (2,071), and touchdown passes (15). James White caught a Super Bowl record 14 passes for 110 yards, rushed for 29 yards, and tied a Super Bowl record with three touchdowns. He also set the record for most points scored with 20. After the game, Brady said he felt James White deserved the MVP award more than he did.
Super Bowl LII[]
Nick Foles was the MVP of Super Bowl LII. Foles completed 28 of 43 pass attempts for 373 yards and three touchdowns with one interception, and also caught a one-yard touchdown pass on a trick play, which became famously known as the "Philly Special" and joined NFL lore alongside his unexpected performance. Foles helped the Eagles win their first Super Bowl in franchise history.
Super Bowl LIII[]
Julian Edelman was the MVP of Super Bowl LIII. Edelman caught 10 passes for 141 yards in what was the lowest-scoring Super Bowl in NFL history, as the New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13–3 to win their sixth Super Bowl championship, tying with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Super Bowl LIV[]
Patrick Mahomes was the MVP of Super Bowl LIV. Mahomes completed 26 of 42 pass attempts for 286 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, as well as rushing for 29 yards and one touchdown. Down 20–10 in the fourth quarter, Mahomes threw two touchdown passes to Travis Kelce and Damien Williams, to take the lead just before the two-minute warning. The Kansas City Chiefs then stopped the San Francisco 49ers on defense, and a late touchdown run by Damien Williams, as well as a Kendall Fuller interception, sealed the victory and ended the Chiefs' 50-year championship drought.
Super Bowl LV[]
Tom Brady was the MVP of Super Bowl LV. Brady was named Super Bowl MVP for a record fifth time and was the first to receive the award with multiple franchises. Brady, who had won the award four times with the New England Patriots, won the award a fifth time, but with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whom he signed with following the 2019 season. Brady had also extended his player records for Super Bowl appearances to 10 and wins to seven. He became the oldest player to receive the honor and win a Super Bowl as the starting quarterback at age 43. Brady completed 21 of 29 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns. It would be the fifth and final time Brady won the award, as he would retire after the following season.
Super Bowl LVI[]
Cooper Kupp was the MVP of Super Bowl LVI. Kupp finished with eight receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns, including a conversion on a fourth down on the Rams' final drive, which included three receptions and a touchdown (as well as one carry for seven yards), in which he would go on to score the game-winning touchdown. The Los Angeles Rams would go on to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 23–20, winning their second Super Bowl championship, their first as a Los Angeles-based team.
Super Bowl LVII[]
Patrick Mahomes was the MVP of Super Bowl LVII. Mahomes was named Super Bowl MVP for a second time. Mahomes completed 21 of 27 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns.
Super Bowl LVIII[]
Patrick Mahomes was the MVP of Super Bowl LVIII. Mahomes completed 34 of his 46 pass attempts for 333 yards with two touchdowns and one interception and was named Super Bowl MVP for the third time in his career. He also ran for 66 yards. In only the second overtime played in Super Bowl history, down 19-22, Mahomes and the Chiefs drove 75 yards in 13 plays, converting two third downs and a fourth down to set up first-and-goal on the 49ers 3-yard line. Mahomes then passed to Mecole Hardman for the game-winning score as the Chiefs won their second consecutive Super Bowl championship, becoming the first team in 20 years since the 2004 New England Patriots to repeat as Super Bowl champions. In their fourth Super Bowl appearance and third Super Bowl championship in five seasons, many have called the Chiefs a dynasty.