Irish Warriors Alternative Guide to Superbowl MVP'S

Superbowl X MVP-QB Terry Bradshaw The plaudits for the Steelers thrilling 21-17 win over the Dallas cowboys will go to Lynn Swann and deservedly so. Everyone remembers his majestic 63 card catch but for one of the many times in his career Terry Bradshaw arguably the most underrated QB in National Football League History.

A tough competitor, Bradshaw had a powerful – albeit at times erratic – throwing arm and was a minority of QB's who called his own plays throughout his pro career. Bradshaw was indeed fortunate to be a Pttsburgh Steeler. In the 1969 NFL Draft the Steelers won a coin flip tiebreaker with the Chicago Bears due to both teams having equivalent 1-13 records in 1969. It seems quite hard to believe but in his rookie season Bradshaw was extremely eratic and earned plenty of critiscm from the Pittsburgh media for his perceived lack of intelligence and rural roots. Once he got over the hump though a deep path to success lay in his way . Terry quickly becae accustomed to success leading the Steelers to eight AFC Central championships and an unprecedented collection of Super Bowl rings. The Steelers featured the "Steel Curtain" defense and a powerful running attack led by Franco Harris, but Bradshaw's strong arm gave them the threat of the deep pass, helping to loosen opposing defenses. In 1972, he threw the pass leading to the "Immaculate Reception", among the most famous plays in NFL history. Bradshaw temporarily lost the starting job to Joe Gilliam in 1974, but Bradshaw took over again during the regular season and in the 1974 AFC Championship Game against the Oakland Raiders, his fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Lynn Swann proved to be the winning score in a 24-13 victory. In the Steelers’ 16-6 Super Bowl IX victory over the Minnesota Vikings that followed, Bradshaw completed 9 of 14 passes and his fourth-quarter touchdown pass put the game out of reach and helped take the Steelers to their first Super Bowl victory against the Norsemen.

Following a successful 1975 season the Steelers looked to make it a successful repeat of their crown when they took on the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl X a game many experts consider one of the most entertaining Super Bowls ever. Right after the opening Kickoff when Cowboys ran a reverse where rookie linebacker Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson took a handoff from Preston Pearson and returned the ball a Super Bowl record 48 yards before kicker Roy Gerela forced him out of bounds at the Steelers 44-yard line. Roger Staubach then threw a 29 yard pass to Drew Pearson. Things were looking ominious for the Steelers but instead of trying to immediately tie the game on a long passing play, the Steelers ran the ball on the first four plays of their ensuing possession, and thenTerry Bradshaw completed a 32-yard pass to wide receiver Lynn Swann to reach the Cowboys 16-yard line. Two running plays further advanced the ball to the 7-yard line. Then on third down and one, the Steelers managed to fool the Cowboys. Pittsburgh brought in two tight ends, which usually signals a running play. After the snap, tight end Randy Grossman faked a block to the inside as if it were a running play, but then ran a pass route into the endzone, and Bradshaw threw the ball to him for a touchdown, tying the game, 7-7. Dallas responded on their next drive, advancing the ball 51 yards and scoring on kicker Toni Fritsch's 36-yard field goal to take a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter. The Steelers subsequently advanced to the Cowboys 36-yard line on their next possession, but on fourth down and two, Bradshaw's pass was broken up by Dallas safety Cliff Harris.

The Steelers offense got the ball back their own 6-yard line with 3:47 left in the half. On the drive, Bradshaw completed a 53-yard pass to Swann to advance the ball to the Cowboys 37-yard line; Swann's catch has become one of the most memorable acrobatic catches in Super Bowl history but it ended in nothing for Pittsburgh when Gerela missed a 36-yard field goal attempt with 22 seconds remaining in the period. The 3rd quarter was scoreless but in the 4th breaks started happening for Pittsburgh. But early in the fourth quarter, Dallas punter Mitch Hoopes was forced to punt from inside his own goal line. As Hoopes stepped up to make the kick, Steelers running back Reggie Harrison broke through the line and blocked the punt. The ball went through the end zone for a safety, cutting the Dallas lead to 10-9. Then Steelers running back Mike Collier returned the free kick 25 yards to the Cowboys 45-yard line. Dallas halted the ensuing drive at the 20-yard line, but this time Gerela successfully kicked a 36-yard field goal to give Pittsburgh their first lead of the game, 12-10.

Then on the first play of the Cowboys' next drive, Steelers defensive back Mike Wagner intercepted a pass from Staubach and returned it 19 yards to the Dallas 7-yard line. The Cowboys defense again managed to prevent a touchdown, but Gerela kicked an 18-yard field goal to increase the Steelers lead to 15-10. On their next drive with 4.25 remaning and the Steelers finding themselves facing 3rd down and 6 on their own 36-yard line.

Assuming that the Cowboys would be expecting a short pass or a run, Bradshaw decided to try a long pass and told Swann in the huddle to run a deep post pattern. As Bradshaw dropped back to pass, Harris and linebacker D.D. Lewis both blitzed in an attempt to sack him. But Bradshaw managed to dodge Lewis and throw the ball just before being leveled by Harris and lineman Larry Cole, who landed a helmet-to-helmet hit on Bradshaw. Swann then caught the ball at the 5-yard line and ran into the end zone for a 64-yard touchdown completion to seal the deal for Pittsburgh's second strsight Superbowl. Roger Staubauch led his team 80 yards in 5 plays on the ensuing drive, scoring on a 34-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Percy Howard and cutting their deficit to 21-17 but his late comeback threats were thwarted by the hands of Garry Edwards as time expired. There is no doubt that whilst Lynn Swann made the catches Bradshaw's determination and ressilence was a major factor in Pisstburgh retaining their second straight Superbowl.

I can't argue with you there!

Superbowl XI MVP: Clarence Davis It may seem hard to believe but Clarence davis was often a forgotten part of the Raiders high powered offense in the 1970's playing as a backup to Mark Van Eegghen.

Drafted as a 1971 4th round pick Davis first earned a place in the spotlight in the famous Sea of hands game in 1974 between the Oaland Raiders and Miami Dolphins. This play is generally considered one of the most spectacular plays in Postseason History. With just 35 seconds remaining and the raiders trailing 26-21 with a 1st and Goal situation Ken Stabler had one last chance to ensure Oakland would win one of the greatest Postseason games of all time. Stabler called a pass play and rolled out Left. In desperation he somehow avoided a sack by Dolphins Defensive End Van Den herder and threw a desperation pass into the Endzone. Miami defensive back Charlie Babb, and linebacker Mike Kolen all leaped for the ball at the same time and each got their hands on it. Davis, however, out-wrestled Babb and Kolen for the ball and the winning score.

The irony upon all this is Clarence during his 7 year career often earned the nickname Hands of Wood for the amount of dropped passes in his career in the Backfield. In Superbowl X1 however the scene was different. The Raiders had got to their second consecutive Superbowl facing a Minnesota Vikings team that had lost 3 previously.

Unlike Superbowl 11 however the Raiders set the trend dominating on both Offense and Defense relying on Quarterback Stabler and their intimidating Running game to get things started. Indeed one of the singature plays was a 3rd & 7 from their 6. John Madden the League's youngest Coach called 17 Bob Trey O." This would have Clarence Davis going off left tackle behind a lead block by fullback Mark van Eeghen. Tight end Dave Casper would block down from his spot on the left side. Guards Gene Upshaw and George Buelher would pull behind the line to get in front of Clarence Davis as he turned up into the hole. When he did, he broke to the left side and sped for 35 yards one of the descive plays in a comprehensive 32-14 Oakland victory.

Davis finished the game with 137 yards on just 16 rush attempts, an average of 8.5 yards per carry and the 3rd highest Superbowl signle game rushing total. The Raiders were champions for the 1st time but certainly not the last.

He had a great game - probably the best of his career.

Super Bowl XII MVP Aaron Kyle CB Dallas Cowboys

The common theme in Superbowl 12 was Defense. From a Broncos perspective the infamous Orange crush which used a 3-4 formation was a main factor in their first Superbowl. Yet Dallas's defense during this period was just as good in fact a rarity during this game happenned., there was a split in MVP voting between DE Harvey Martin and DT Randy White The Cowboys Defense intercepted 4 passes and recovered 3 Fumbles in the first half alone. In fact because of an exquisite Secondary Denver only had 35 passing yards a Superbowl low.

Aaron Kyle may seem somewhat a dubious choice but his two turnovers were a crucial momentum swing in giving the Cowboys a well deserved title. On the Bronco's second drive of the game Morton was intercepted again when his pass was tipped by linebacker Bob Breunig into the arms of defesive back Aaron Kyle, who then returned the ball 19 yards to Denver's 35-yard line setting up a 33 yard Field Goal.So on a third and four from the Broncos 27, midway in the final period,

Denver, which had come out in its own spread during the final period, set up in that formation with Norris Weese, who had replaced an ineffective Craig Morton in the third period, but up deep. He attempted to run but Martin slammed him and ball popped loose. Cornerback Kyle recovered the last of Denver's four fumbles at the Bronco 30. Kyle's assertivness in the secondary and nose for turnovers was a key factor in deciding the big game for the Cowboys in a 27-10 romp and giving Tom Landry his second chamoionship.

It may not rank as the greatest Superbowl ever but it will be hard to rival a defense as memorable as the " Doomsday defense" The delicious irony of this was Kyle later joined the Denver Bronco's where he finished a respectable 6 year career

That was an extremely difficult choice actually. It seems all of the Cowboys defense deserved that award!

I think you chose Kyle because I think it's your first name.

That was partly a factor but i genuinely believe like I said his two turnovers were really momentum swingers in Superbowl 12

That's true. They were definitely turning points of their gridiron battle.

Super Bowl X11 MVP: Lynn Swann Lynn Swann. Super Bowl MVP.

Three time Pro Bowler. One of football icon’s in the 1970’s. One of the most exciting players of his day. A high profile member of four Championship teams and a true football Dynasty in Pittsburgh. Fast. Fluid. Athletic. Graceful. Stylish .

In Superbowl 13 he was all these and more. Selected with the 21st pick of the 1974 NFL Draft which was considered one of the greatest drafts by an NFL team with Hall of Famers John Stallworth, Mike Webster, and Jack Lambert all selected in the same draft Swann first bust into the spotlight leading the NFL in Punt Return yards as a Rookie with 577 and the 4th most in NFL history.

His speed combined with a uncanny sense of anticipation soon made Head Coaches sit up and take notice. In his second season Swann caught 49 passes for 781 yards and a league-leading 11 touchdowns as the Steelers retained the Superbowl and started to become one of the League's key dynasty's in the 1970's. Three season later the steelers made it back to Superbowl XIII. In a game that featured the greatest collection of NFL talent ever to gather for a game. In additions to Coaches Noll and Landry, 14 players would go on to enshrinement in the Hall of Fame: 9 from Pittsburgh (Bradshaw, Harris, Swann, Stallworth, Webster, Greene, Lambert, Ham, and Blount), and 5 from Dallas (Staubach, Dorsett, White, Wright, and Jackie Smith)

Whilst much of the Pregame hype surronded Thomas Henderson and his media attack on Terry Bradshaw for proclaiming "Bradshaw couldn't spell 'cat' if you spotted him the 'c' and the 'a'unlike Henderson's antics Swann let his game do the talking. His first big play was a 13 yard reception to move the ball to the Dallas 30 which the drive later ended with an Interception. Yet with the final drive of the half and the game tied at 14-14 Swann had instrumental catches of 29 and 21 yards, moving the ball to the 16-yard line with 40 seconds left. Pitstburh scored on a 10 yard Franco Harris run to go up 21-14 at the half.

Up to this point Lynn had 4 catches. The 3rd quarter will be rememebered for one significant play Jackie's smith drop on a perfectly run Slant which changed the complexion of the game. Swann came up with a 13 yard catch on the very next drive helped by a questionable PI call. It was Swan's involvement on the next Pitssburgh poccession thatgave another ring. With the score 28-17 following a Dallas turnover the famed Terry Bradshaw and co capitalized. Bradshaw heaved the ball into the endzone and as he did quite often during his 51 total Career Touchdowns and a Hall Of Fame career Swann made a beautiful majestic catch in the back of the Endzone to put the game beyond doubt .

Though the never say die attitude of Landry's Cowboys ensured two more TD's to make it 35-31 the Steelers held on for another Chuck Noll coaching triumph. Swann finished the game with with 7 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown. His lone TD was the factor in finishing off the Cowboys and ensuring that when the NFL's greatest dynasty's are talked about Chuck Noll and the 1970's Pittsburgh Steelers are up there.

The entirity of superbowl 13 is all on Youtube I've just showed the 1st part. Of course it has 23 parts so you might want a lot of spare time!

He was definitely one of the best receivers of the game, if not all-time.

Wow! Thanks.

Super Bowl XIV MVP John Stallworth

John Stallworth is the Robert Horry, David Ortiz or Michael Jordan when clutchness is required. When a big play was needed or as in several occassions when a Touchdown was needed to put the game away Stallworth rose to the occassion and was known as a big game performer.

More so for his career his Superbowl actions shasll be remembered. In Super Bowl XIII, he caught a record-tying 75-yard touchdown pass from Terry Bradshaw that would later be a crucial touchdown in a 35-31 Steelers win over the Dallas Cowboys. He suffered leg cramps later and played sparingly in the second half, finishing with 3 receptions for 115 yards and 2 touchdowns being the crucial facctor in a Steelers win

During the 1979 season Stallworth compiled 70 receptions for 1,183 yards and 8 touchdowns decent stats for the main go to Receiver. In Superbowl X1V wildly regarded as a uneven matchup such was the wide disparity that existed between the two Conferences the then Los angeles Rams managed to take a surprising 19-17 lead early in the 4th quarter. It was then time for John to enter superbowl infamy.

Steelers' coach Chuck Noll called for "60-Prevent-Slot-Hook-And-Go," a play the Steelers failed in practice prior to the big game. With 12 minutes remaining, Bradshaw dropped back and threw it long to Stallworth, who caught it and beat Rod Perry to the end zone for a 73-yard touchdown that would pave the way for the Steelers' 31-19 win and their fourth world championship. That amazing catch put Stallworth on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Overall MR Stallworth holds the Superbowl record career average per catch (24.4 yards) and single-game average, 40.33 yards in Super Bowl XIV. His 73 yard catch is genuinely regarded as one of the most spectcaular plays ever and iced Chuck Noll and Pittsburgh's reputation as one of the greatest 1970 NFL dynasty's

Stallworth had 537 catches, 8,723 Receiving yards and 63 TD's in a illustrious career. In 1984 he was named the NFL Comeback player of the year leading the AFC with a career-high 1,395 yards gained on 80 receptions leading the Steelrs to the 184 AFC Championship game where they lost to the Miami Dolphins.

But despite other successful ventures most notably his business Stallworth's big game moments will be remembered just as well.

Part 1 of 16

Is he related to Donte Stallworth?

No the only thing they have in common is the last name

Oh, alright.

And, they fact that they are both wide-receivers is something in common.

Super Bowl XV MVP Rod Martin

Thrughout his distiguinished 11 year NFL career entirely spent with the LA/Oakland raiders Martin earned a rpeutation as a hard hitting Linebacker who had a nose for where the Quarterback and Football was suppossed to be. He was the protyppical player of the Al Davis mantra "Just Win Baby" a mantra that continues to exist in Oakland today.

In Superbowl 15 Martin and the Raiders prepared to face QB Ron Jaworski who had only thrown 12 picks during the regular season and the Philadelphia Eagles. Wilbert Montgomery also emerged as a main offensive threat rushing for 1,200 rushing yards in the last 2 seasons. Rod and the Raiders hard nosed defense knew they had work to do.

After two running plays top gain an Eagles first down Jaworski (Jaws) dropped back to pass on a Play action. Using his anticpation and agility Martin stepped in front and returned it 17 yards which set up the first Touchdown of the game

Later on and Oakland crusing 17-3 mainly because of Kenny King's incredible once in a lifetime catch just avoiding a pick of Herman Edwards and ran for a 80 TD their defense vstarted crusing against the bewildered Philadelphia Offense. Montgomery ran smackmouth into a waiting Rod and Ted Hendricks for a one yard loss as Oakland Raiders consistently repelled against the NFC Champions best efforts.

With the score a slightly loospsided 21-3 in Oaklands favour Martik kept displaying the same aggression that had earned him two Pro Bowl visits. With the Eagles driving and a 3rd & 3 Jaworski play faked and once again Martin put his hands up to pick the pass off and kill any hopes of an inspirational comeback.

Eventually with the game over Martin recorded a Superbowl record 3rd Inerception as the constant blitzing and 5 man up front caused all problems for Dick Vermeil and the Eagles as they had problems adjusting to a hungrier Defense.

Martin's 3 interceptions tied linebacker Chuck Howley's record for career Super Bowl interceptions and Defensive Back's Larry Brown as well. With this achievement the Raiders became the first wild card playoff team to win a Super Bowl

I wish that I could edit your post because you have a few little typos:
-Throughout (first word)
-reputation (first line)
-prototypical (first paragraph)
-anticipation (3rd paragraph)
-interception (6th paragraph)
-Martin (6th Paragraph

Otherwise, it's an excellent article. It think that you provided an excellent scoop on Rod Martin's greatest game. I almost forgot that there was a defensive-back named Larry Brown.