The NFL has gradually become a more offensive-minded league. As scoring goes up around the league and the rules start to favor the offensive players more and more, the vitality of great defensive players has increased. However, on the grand stage of the Super Bowl, it is typically an offensive player that shines the brightest.
In 59 iterations of the event, 50 times the MVP of the game has gone to an offensive player. Who are those elusive nine defenders who made a gargantuan impact to secure Super Bowl MVP honors?
Defensive Players To Win Super Bowl MVP
- Von Miller, 2016, Super Bowl 50: The Denver Broncos won 24-10 but it was the all-around excellence from Von Miller, who tallied 2½ sacks, six tackles, and one defended pass to etch home Super Bowl MVP honors for himself.
- Malcolm Smith, 2014, Super Bowl 48: Two forced turnovers, an interception for a 63-yard touchdown return, a fumble recovery, and 10 tackles allowed Malcolm Smith to earn Super Bowl MVP honors in the Seattle Seahawks’ 43-8 upset victory over the Denver Broncos.
- Dexter Jackson, 2003, Super Bowl 37: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had an upset victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, 48-21, thanks to two first-half interceptions by Dexter Jackson.
- Ray Lewis, 2001, Super Bowl 35: One of the greatest defenders ever, on one of the greatest defensive teams ever, Ray Lewis paved the way for the Baltimore Ravens to hold the New York Giants to just 152 total yards of offense, as they won 34-7.
- Larry Brown, 1996, Super Bowl 30: The first cornerback to ever win the award, Larry Brown recorded two second-half interceptions, both of which the Dallas Cowboys converted into touchdowns to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17.
- Richard Dent, 1986, Super Bowl 20: On one of the greatest teams in NFL history, Richard Dent was the star of the show in the Super Bowl, claiming two sacks and two forced fumbles as the Chicago Bears led a 46-10 rout of the New England Patriots.
- Harvey Martin and Randy White, 1978, Super Bowl 12: The only co-winners of the Super Bowl MVP award, Harvey Martin and Randy White were on the defense to force eight turnovers en route to a Dallas 27-10 victory over Denver.
- Jake Scott, 1973, Super Bowl 7: Tallying two interceptions over the course of the game, Jake Scott returned one for a 55-yard touchdown return, as the Miami Dolphins won 14-7 to complete the perfect 17-0 season.
- Chuck Howley, 1971, Super Bowl 5: Chuck Howley had two interceptions and a fumble recovery. But, the Cowboys lost 16-13. Still, Howley remains the only player on the losing team to take home the award.