Many Super Bowls contain a moment or a performance that can change the course of a player’s career. It’s the biggest stage that any of these players will ever play on and those who come through in the clutch are remembered forever. We know the names of the guys who are in Canton and the ones who win the MVP trophies, but how about the lesser-known guys who came through in the big moments. Here are five role players who excelled in the Super Bowl and etched their names in NFL history.
Larry Brown – CB: Dallas Cowboys
Super Bowl XXX
When you think of Larry Brown, you probably think of the running back from the Washington Redskins who won an MVP. That’s not the one we are referring to here. Larry Brown was a cornerback during the Dallas Cowboys’ Super Bowl dynasty. A 12th round pick, he came through in the clutch against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Brown intercepted Neil O’Donnell twice in the second half. Dallas was able to convert both of those interceptions into touchdowns which helped them win 27-17. Brown’s efforts earned him the MVP trophy for the game.
David Tyree – WR: New York Giants
Super Bowl XLII
The New England Patriots would likely be the only team to go undefeated in a 16-game regular season and win a Super Bowl if it hadn’t been for one of the most insane catches from David Tyree. He was a wide receiver that most had never heard of before he made one of the greatest catches in Super Bowl history. Tyree reeled in just 54 receptions in his entire career – none after this great catch – but the grab he made as Eli Manning was spun around resulted in one of the biggest NFL upsets in history.
Malcolm Butler – CB: New England Patriots
Super Bowl XLIX
You never know when a rookie undrafted free agent will pick something up in practice during the week of the Super Bowl and turn it into a game-saving play. Malcolm Butler did not start Super Bowl XLIX, in fact, it was probably a surprise to him that he was on the field for the last defensive drive of the game. But when Russell Wilson threw a slant pass at the goal line, Butler recognized the play, cut the route, and picked it off in a shocking moment that still leaves us with an incredible screen grab of a shocked Richard Sherman. Nothing left to say other than…the Seahawks should have run it with Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch.
Desmond Howard – KR: Green Bay Packers
Super Bowl XXXI
The College Gameday analyst was a great college football player but bounced all over the NFL, playing for five different teams with two different stints in Green Bay. It was during the 1996 season, during his first year in Green Bay, when he etched himself into Packers lore. Being used as a kick returner, Howard had 253 all-purpose yards, including a 99-yard kick return for a touchdown that sent the Lombardi Trophy back to Green Bay, while earning the MVP trophy for Howard.
Malcolm Smith- LB: Seattle Seahawks
Super Bowl XLVIII
When I think of this era of the Seahawks, I think of the Legion of Boom. I think of Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor. I don’t really think of Malcolm Smith. He wasn’t a starter, he was a 7th round pick, he played for six different teams, but he had one of the best defensive performances in Super Bowl History. Smith accounted for a pick-six, fumble recovery, and 10 tackles which helped hand him the Super Bowl MVP trophy, making him the first defensive player to win the award since Dexter Jackson in Super Bowl XXXVII.