This article lists the NFL Super Bowl MVPs from Super Bowl I to XLV: it includes each game date, location, final score, and MVP statistics.
The Super Bowl MVP has been awarded to twenty-four quarterbacks, seven running backs, six wide-receivers, three defensive backs, two linebackers, two defensive linemen, and one kick/punt returner. Among the quarterbacks, one was awarded the Super Bowl MVP three times and three others won the award twice. Two of those quarterbacks were awarded the Super Bowl MVP in back-to-back years.
Two Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks showed remarkable accuracy: New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms completed 22 of 25 passes (88%) in Super Bowl XXI and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees completed 32 of 39 passes (82%) in Super Bowl XLIV. Eight other Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks threw for more than 300 yards: Kurt Warner (414), Tom Brady (354), Doug Williams (340), John Elway (336), Joe Montana (331), Steve Young (325), Terry Bradshaw (twice) (318 and 309), and Aaron Rodgers (304). Two Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks, both from the San Francisco 49ers, threw for five or more touchdowns in one game: Steve Young threw six touchdowns in Super Bowl XXIX and Joe Montana threw five touchdowns in Super Bowl XXIV.
The most impressive Super Bowl MVP performances turned in by wide receivers came from Jerry Rice of the San Francisco 49ers and Lynn Swann of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rice caught 11 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl XXIII. In Super Bowl X, Swann caught four balls for 161 yards and a score–an amazing 40 yards per reception.
Among Super Bowl MVP running backs, Marcus Allen had the most dominating performance. Allen rushed for 191 yards on 20 carries with two touchdowns in Super Bowl XVIII, for an unheard of 9.6 yards per carry. Even if Allen’s longest run, a 74 yard touchdown, is deducted from his totals, he still rushed for 6.2 yards per carry.
The standout Super Bowl MVP among defensive players was Jake Scott of the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VII: he intercepted two passes and returned those interceptions for a total of 63 yards. In Super Bowl XII, Randy White and Harvey Martin, defensive linemen for the Dallas Cowboys, were awarded Co-MVPs for forcing eight turnovers.
Super Bowl XLV MVP: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
Date: February 6, 2011
Location: Dallas, Texas
Final Score: Green Bay Packers 31-25 Pittsburgh Steelers
MVP Statistics: 24/39 CP/AT, 304 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT
Super Bowl XLIV MVP: Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
Date: February 7, 2010
Location: Miami, Florida
Final Score: New Orleans Saints 31-17 Indianapolis Colts
MVP Statistics: 32/39 CP/AT, 288 YDS, 2 TD, 0 INT
Super Bowl XLIII MVP: Santonio Holmes, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: February 1, 2009
Location: Tampa, Florida
Final Score: Pittsburgh Steelers 27-23 Arizona Cardinals
MVP Statistics: 9 REC, 131 YDS, 1 TD, 40 LG
Super Bowl XLII MVP: Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants
Date: February 3, 2008
Location: Glendale, Arizona
Final Score: New York Giants 17-14 New England Patriots
MVP Statistics: 19/34 CP/AT, 255 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT
Super Bowl XLI MVP: Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Date: February 4, 2007
Location: Miami, Florida
Final Score: Indianapolis Colts 29-17 Chicago Bears
MVP Statistics: 25/38 CP/AT, 247 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Super Bowl XL MVP: Hines Ward, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: February 5, 2006
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Final Score: Pittsburgh Steelers 21-10 Seattle Seahawks
MVP Statistics: 5 REC, 123 YDS, 1 TD, 43 LG
Super Bowl XXXIX MVP: Deion Branch, WR, New England Patriots
Date: February 6, 2005
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Final Score: New England Patriots 24-21 Philadelphia Eagles
MVP Statistics: 11 REC, 153 YDS, 0 TD, 27 LG
Super Bowl XXXVIII MVP: Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
Date: February 1, 2004
Location: Houston, Texas
Final Score: New England Patriots 32-29 Carolina Panthers
MVP Statistics: 32/48 CP/AT, 354 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT
Super Bowl XXXVII MVP: Dexter Jackson, FS, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Date: January 26, 2003
Location: San Diego, California
Final Score: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48-21 Oakland Raiders
MVP Statistics: 2 INT, 34 YDS, 25 LG, 0 TD
Super Bowl XXXVI MVP: Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
Date: February 3, 2002
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Final Score: New England Patriots 20-17 St. Louis Rams
MVP Statistics: 16/27 CP/AT, 145 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT
Super Bowl XXXV MVP: Ray Lewis, LB, Baltimore Ravens
Date: January 28, 2001
Location: Tampa, Florida
Final Score: Baltimore Ravens 34-7 New York Giants
MVP Statistics: 3 Tackles, 2 Assists, 4 PD
Super Bowl XXXIV MVP: Kurt Warner, QB, St. Louis Rams
Date: January 30, 2000
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Final Score: St. Louis Rams 23-16 Tennessee Titans
MVP Statistics: 24/45 CP/AT, 414 YDS, 2 TD, 0 INT, 73 LG
Super Bowl XXXIII MVP: John Elway, QB, Denver Broncos
Date: January 31, 1999
Location: Miami, Florida
Final Score: Denver Broncos 34-19 Atlanta Falcons
MVP Statistics: 18/29 CP/AT, 336 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Super Bowl XXXII MVP: Terrell Davis, RB, Denver Broncos
Date: January 25, 1998
Location: San Diego, California
Final Score: Denver Broncos 31-24 Green Bay Packers
MVP Statistics: 30 CAR, 157 YDS, 3 TD, LG 27
Super Bowl XXXI MVP: Desmond Howard, KR-PR, Green Bay Packers
Date: January 26, 1997
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Final Score: Green Bay Packers 35-21 New England Patriots
MVP Statistics: 4 KR, 154 YDS, 1 TD, 99t LG; 6 PR, 90 YDS, 0 TD, 34 LG
Super Bowl XXX MVP: Larry Brown, CB, Dallas Cowboys
Date: January 28, 1996
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 27-17 Pittsburgh Steelers
MVP Statistics: 2 INT, 77 YDS, 0 TD, 44 LG
Super Bowl XXIX MVP: Steve Young, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Date: January 29, 1995
Location: Miami, Florida
Final Score: San Francisco 49ers 49-26 San Diego Chargers
MVP Statistics: 24/36 CP/AT, 325 YDS, 6 TD, 0 INT
Super Bowl XXVIII MVP: Emmitt Smith, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Date: January 30, 1994
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 30-13 Buffalo Bills
MVP Statistics: 30 CAR, 132 YDS, 2 TD, 15t LG
Super Bowl XXVII MVP: Troy Aikman, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Date: January 31, 1993
Location: Pasadena, California
Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 52-17 Buffalo Bills
MVP Statistics: 22/30 CP/AT, 273 YDS, 4 TD, 0 INT
Super Bowl XXVI MVP: Mark Rypien, QB, Washington Redskins
Date: January 26, 1992
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Final Score: Washington 37-24 Buffalo Bills
MVP Statistics: 18/33 CP/AT, 292, 2 TD, 1 INT
Super Bowl XXV MVP: Ottis Anderson, RB, New York Giants
Date: January 27, 1991
Location: Tampa, Florida
Final Score: New York Giants 20-19 Buffalo Bills
MVP Statistics: 21 CAR, 102 YDS, 1 TD, 24 LG
Super Bowl XXIV MVP: Joe Montana, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Date: January 28, 1990
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Final Score: San Francisco 49ers 55-10 Denver Broncos
MVP Statistics: 22/29 CP/AT, 297 YDS, 5 TD, 0 INT
Super Bowl XXIII MVP: Jerry Rice, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Date: January 22, 1989
Location: Miami, Florida
Final Score: San Francisco 49ers 20-16 Cincinnati Bengals
MVP Statistics: 11 REC, 215 YDS, 1 TD, 44 LG
Super Bowl XXII MVP: Doug Williams, QB, Washington Redskins
Date: January 31, 1988
Location: San Diego, California
Final Score: Washington Redskins 42-10 Denver Broncos
MVP Statistics: 18/29 CP/AT, 340 YDS, 4 TD, 1 INT
Super Bowl XXI MVP: Phil Simms, QB, New York Giants
Date: January 25, 1987
Location: Pasadena, California
Final Score: New York Giants 39-20 Denver Broncos
MVP Statistics: 22/25 CP/AT, 268 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT
Super Bowl XX MVP: Richard Dent, DE, Chicago Bears
Date: January 26, 1986
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Final Score: Chicago Bears 46-10 New England Patriots
MVP Statistics: 1.5 Sacks, 2 FF
Super Bowl XIX MVP: Joe Montana, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Date: January 20, 1985
Location: Palo Alto, California
Final Score: San Francisco 49ers 38-16 Miami Dolphins
MVP Statistics: 24/35 CP/AT, 331 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT
Super Bowl XVIII MVP: Marcus Allen, RB, Los Angeles Raiders
Date: January 22, 1984
Location: Tampa, Florida
Final Score: Los Angeles Raiders 38-9 Washington Redskins
MVP Statistics: 20 CAR, 191 YDS, 2 TD, 74t LG
Super Bowl XVII MVP: John Riggins, RB, Washington Redskins
Date: January 30, 1983
Location: Pasadena, California
Final Score: Washington Redskins 27-17 Miami Dolphins
MVP Statistics: 38 CAR, 166 YDS, 1 TD, 43t LG
Super Bowl XVI MVP: Joe Montana, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Date: January 24, 1982
Location: Pontiac, Michigan
Final Score: San Francisco 49ers 26-21 Cincinnati Bengals
MVP Statistics: 14/22 CP/AT, 157 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT
Super Bowl XV MVP: Jim Plunkett, QB, Oakland Raiders
Date: January 25, 1981
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Final Score: Oakland Raiders 27-10 Philadelphia Eagles
MVP Statistics: 13/21 CP/AT, 261 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT
Super Bowl XIV MVP: Terry Bradshaw, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: January 20, 1980
Location: Pasadena, California
Final Score: Pittsburgh Steelers 31-19 Los Angeles Rams
MVP Statistics: 14/21 CP/AT, 309 YDS, 2 TD, 3 INT
Super Bowl XIII MVP: Terry Bradshaw, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: January 21, 1979
Location: Miami, Florida
Final Score: Pittsburgh Steelers 35-31 Dallas Cowboys
MVP Statistics: 17/30 CP/AT, 318 YDS, 4 TD, 1 INT
Super Bowl XII MVP: Randy White, DT and Harvey Martin, DE
Date: January 15, 1978
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 27-10 Denver Broncos 10
MVP Statistics: Forced 8 TO
Super Bowl XI MVP: Fred Biletnikoff, WR, Oakland Raiders
Date: January 9, 1977
Location: Pasadena, California
Final Score: Oakland Raiders 32-14 Minnesota Vikings
MVP Statistics: 4 REC, 79 YDS, 0 TD, 48 LG
Super Bowl X MVP: Lynn Swann, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: January 18, 1976
Location: Miami, Florida
Final Score: Pittsburgh Steelers 21-17 Dallas Cowboys
MVP Statistics: 4 REC, 161 YDS, 1 TD, 64t LG
Super Bowl IX MVP: Franco Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: January 12, 1975
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Final Score: Pittsburgh Steelers 16-6 Minnesota Vikings
MVP Statistics: 34 CAR, 158 YDS, 1 TD, 25 LG
Super Bowl VIII MVP : Larry Csonka, RB, Miami Dolphins
Date: January 13, 1974
Location: Houston, Texas
Final Score: Miami Dolphins 24-7 Minnesota Vikings
MVP Statistics: 33 CAR, 145 YDS, 2 TD, 16 LG
Super Bowl VII MVP: Jake Scott, S, Miami Dolphins
Date: January 14, 1973
Location: Los Angeles, California
Final Score: Miami Dolphins 14-7 Washington Redskins
MVP Statistics: 2 INT, 63 YDS, 0 TD, LG 55
Super Bowl VI MVP: Roger Staubach, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Date: January 16, 1972
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 24-3 Miami Dolphins
MVP Statistics: 12/19 CP/AT, 119 YDS, 2 TD, 0 INT
Super Bowl V MVP: Chuck Howley, LB, Dallas Cowboys
Date: January 17, 1971
Location: Miami, Florida
Final Score: Baltimore Colts 16-13 Dallas Cowboys
MVP Statistics: 2 INT, 22 YDS, 0 TD, 22 LG
Super Bowl IV MVP: Len Dawson, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Date: January 11, 1970
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Final Score: Kansas City Chiefs 23-7 Minnesota Vikings
MVP Statistics: 12/17 CP/AT, 142 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Super Bowl III MVP: Joe Namath, QB, New York Jets
Date: January 12, 1969
Location: Miami, Florida
Final Score: New York Jets 16-7 Baltimore Colts
MVP Statistics: 17/28 CP/AT, 206 YDS, 0 TD, 0 INT
Super Bowl II MVP: Bart Starr, QB, Green Bay Packers
Date: January 14, 1968
Location: Miami, Florida
Final Score: Green Bay Packers 33-14 Oakland Raiders
MVP Statistics: 13/24 CP/AT, 202 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT
Super Bowl I MVP: Bart Starr, QB, Green Bay Packers
Date: January 15, 1967
Location: Los Angeles, California
Final Score: Green Bay Packers 35-10 Kansas City Chiefs
MVP Statistics: 16/23 CP/AT, 250 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT
Source(s):
“Super Bowl History,” NFL.com
