Super Bowl XLVI rapidly approaches, and after the big game, a new player will be crowned the Most Valuable Player. As history shows us, that player is likely to be a quarterback, since that position has received the award 24 times in the first 45 championship games. There have been some other great Super Bowl MVPs, though, who have not lined up under center.
Let's take a look back through the previous winners to find the five greatest non-quarterback MVP recipients in Super Bowl history.
No. 5: Chuck Howley, LB, Dallas Cowboys, Super Bowl V
Not only was Howley a rare defensive selection for MVP, he is also the only player on a losing team to win the honor. While the Baltimore Colts prevailed in the game, 16-13, Howley was a disruptive force on the Cowboys defense, collecting two interceptions—including one in the end zone that killed a Colts scoring drive—in a game in which the teams combined for a total of 11 turnovers. Howley refused to accept his MVP award , however, because it was meaningless to him since the Cowboys lost the game.
Click here for Super Bowl V highlights.
No. 4: Santonio Holmes, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers, Super Bowl XLIII
Holmes caught 9 passes for 131 yards in the game, far and away leading all receivers from the Steelers and from the Arizona Cardinals. His most memorable catch, however, was his touchdown reception with :36 left to play and the Steelers trailing, 23-20. Holmes got behind three Cardinals defenders in the back corner of the end zone, snatched a high throw from Ben Roethlisberger, got both feet down, and secured the game-winning touchdown as Pittsburgh prevailed, 27-20 .
Click here for Super Bowl XLIII highlights .
No. 3: Marcus Allen, RB, Los Angeles Raiders, Super Bowl XVIII
The Raiders trounced the Washington Redskins, 38-9, in large part because Allen ran the ball 20 times for 191 yards and two touchdowns, including a 74-yarder in the third quarter. Both of Allen's touchdowns came in the third frame and blew the game wide open. His yardage total set a Super Bowl record at the time, and it remains the second-highest rushing total in Super Bowl history. Allen's 74-yarder is the second-longest running play from scrimmage in Super Bowl history.
Click here for Super Bowl XVIII highlights.
No. 2: Desmond Howard, KR, Green Bay Packers, Super Bowl XXXI
The 1991 Heisman Trophy winner from Michigan struggled in the NFL as a wide receiver, but he excelled as a kick returner. Super Bowl XXXI highlighted that fact as Howard racked up 90 punt return yards, 154 kick return yards, and a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that broke the New England Patriots' backs and secured the 35-21 victory for the Packers. Howard's punt return total (six) and yardage are Super Bowl records, as is the length of his kickoff return for a touchdown. His combined 244 yards in one game ties a Super Bowl record. Howard is the only solely special teams player to be named Super Bowl MVP.
Click here for Super Bowl XXXI highlights.
No. 1: Jerry Rice, WR, San Francisco 49ers, Super Bowl XXIII
The Cincinnati Bengals simply had no answer for Rice in a game won by the 49ers, 20-16. Joe Montana connected with Rice 11 times for a staggering 215 yards and a touchdown. The receptions total and the yardage remain Super Bowl records and just two of the highlights of this Hall of Famer's incredible career.
Click here for Super Bowl XXIII highlights.
The author is a Featured Contributor in Sports for the Yahoo! Contributor Network, and you can follow him on Twitter at @RedZoneWriting and on Facebook.
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