Each and every year, the Super Bowl is played and a new thread in woven into the tapestry of America’s game… and Super Bowl XLVIII will be no exception. One way or the other, history will be made this year when the AFC champion Denver Broncos face off against the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium. Not only (and obviously) is the Vince Lombardi Trophy up for grabs on February 2nd, but there is also some historical significance on the line for both sides involved.
If the Seattle Seahawks Win – Did you know that if Russell Wilson and the Seahawks win, not only would it be the first Super Win win in franchise history, but it would also mark only the second time in history that a black quarterback will have started and won the Super Bowl (the other being Doug Williams of the Super Bowl XXII champion Washington Redskins)?
If the Denver Broncos Win – On the flip side, did you know that a Denver Broncos win would put Peyton Manning in a class all by his lonesome? A victory in Super Bowl XLVIII would make Manning the first quarterback in NFL history to start and win two Super Bowl rings with two different NFL franchises.
Now that a little historic perspective has been supplied for a game that has yet to be determined, let’s take a glance at some historic Super Bowl facts from years gone by:
Sometimes When You Lose, You Win – In Super Bowl V, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley not only became the first defensive player to win Super Bowl MVP, but also the first (and so far only) player to win the Super Bowl MVP award from a losing team.
A Ring for Every Finger – Charles Haley holds an NFL record with five Super Bowl wins during his 13-year career. Haley not only won Super Bowl XXIII and XXIV with the San Francisco 49ers, but he also won Super Bowl XXVII, XXVIII, and XXX with the Dallas Cowboys.
It’s a Tie! – An anomaly occurred at Super Bowl XII when it was declared that there would be co-winners of the Super Bowl MVP award. Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle Randy White and defensive end Harvey Martin were named co-MVP’s for the Dallas Cowboys when they were victorious over the Denver Broncos 27-10.
Give It Away – Rich Gannon of the Oakland Raiders has the dubious honor of throwing the most interceptions during a single Super Bowl. In route to Tampa Bay’s 48-21 thrashing of Oakland in Super Bowl XXXVII, the Buccaneers picked off Gannon five times and returned three of his interceptions for touchdowns.
The Seasoned Super Bowl Veteran – Defensive tackle Mike Lodish holds the NFL record for playing in a total of six Super Bowls. Lodish lost four consecutive Super Bowls with the Buffalo Bills in the early 1990’s. However, Lodish went on to win back-to-back Super Bowl rings with the Denver Broncos.
Foreign Imports – Out of the 48 Super Bowl most valuable players, only two of them have been born outside of the United States. Canadian Mark Rypien was named MVP of Super Bowl XXVI and Hines Ward, born in Seoul, South Korea, won it for Super Bowl XL.