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Posted on Sun, Feb. 04, 2007
Magic in Miami
By RAY BUCK
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Getty Images
Joe Namath
More photosCategory: Miami Super Bowls.
Answer: Bart Starr, Joe Namath, Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana, Steve Young, John Elway.
Question: Who are six Hall of Fame quarterbacks who made Miami Super Bowls their personal playgrounds?
OK, there's no Super Bowl Jeopardy! But there have been plenty of Super Bowls in Miami.
The NFL has always made sure of that. From the beginning, Miami was selected early and often.
Two of the first three Super Bowls, and five of the first 13, were played in tropical paradise. Sunday marks No. 9, tying New Orleans for the most ever by a host city.
The Miami Super Bowls have provided spectacular performances -- individual and team -- as well as close games. Half the games have been decided by four points or less. A fifth was decided by nine points.
How we rank these Miami Super Bowls, based on memorable moments and sheer entertainment value:
Best one, guaranteed
Super Bowl III: Jets 16, Colts 7, Orange Bowl, Jan. 12, 1969
On the Thursday before the game, Joe Namath lounged around the Jets team hotel pool in Fort Lauderdale and "guaranteed" a victory over the vaunted NFL Colts. Only seven or eight reporters were there to record it firsthand. Namath skillfully guided his team's offense, which dominated the Colts' supposedly superior defense. Baltimore's Earl Morrall threw three first-half interceptions and was replaced late in the game by Johnny Unitas, who missed most of that season with an elbow injury. Unitas led the Colts to their only score. But what everyone remembers: Namath was right.
The frantic finishes
Super Bowl XXIII 49ers 20, Bengals 16 Joe Robbie, Jan. 22, 1989
Joe Montana threw for a Super Bowl-record 357 yards (which is still more than anyone not named Kurt Warner has thrown in a Super Bowl). Yet, the 49ers could find the end zone only twice -- on a pair of fourth-quarter Montana TD passes. While Jerry Rice (11 catches for 215 yards) was named the game's MVP, it was John Taylor who grabbed the 10-yard game-winner with 34 seconds remaining at the end of a 92-yard drive. The game's high drama helped offset the stunning pregame announcement that Bengals running back Stanley Wilson would not be suiting up for the game. He was found in his hotel room in a drug-induced stupor.
Super Bowl XIII Steelers 35, Cowboys 31 Orange Bowl, Jan. 21, 1979
Terry Bradshaw's four touchdown passes in this game was a Super Bowl record until Joe Montana (five) and Steve Young (six) came along. The 66 total points still rank fourth all time. The Steelers, who led 21-14 at halftime, exploded for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a span of 19 seconds (a Franco Harris run and a Lynn Swann catch. An ensuing 14-point rally by the Cowboys fell short, with Dallas failing to recover a last-gasp onside kick with 17 seconds remaining.
Super Bowl V Colts 16, Cowboys 13 Orange Bowl, Jan. 17, 1971
This was the first Super Bowl thriller. Baltimore rookie Jim O'Brien booted a 32-yard field goal with 5 seconds remaining. Prior to that, the big play of the game was a 75-yard touchdown pass from Johnny Unitas to Colts tight end John Mackey. The ball caromed off Colts receiver Eddie Hinton and Cowboys cornerback Mel Renfro... then settled into Mackey's hands, and suddenly the Cowboys' 7-0 lead was gone. Two facts from this game that few people remember: O'Brien had a second-quarter PAT kick blocked, and this was the first Super Bowl played on artificial turf.
Super Bowl X Steelers 21, Cowboys 17, Orange Bowl, Jan. 18, 1976
Another tough Cowboys loss. Roger Staubach threw two touchdown passes in the game and, on the final play, was gunning for a third which would've won it -- except the desperation throw was picked off in the end zone by Steelers safety Glen Edwards.
The Cowboys had closed to four points with 1:48 remaining when Staubach hit seldom-used Percy Howard for a 34-yard TD. Weird. That was Howard's only pass reception of his NFL career.
Good, bad ... and ugly
Super Bowl XXIX 49ers 49, Chargers 26 Joe Robbie, Jan. 29, 1995
The record for most touchdown passes thrown in a Super Bowl game (six) belongs to 49ers QB Steve Young. San Francisco's famed West Coast offense racked up 455 total yards, 28 first downs and seven touchdowns, and made the 49ers the NFL's first five-time Super Bowl winner. This game was over almost before it began. Just 1:24 after the opening kickoff, Jerry Rice turned a Young pass into a 44-yard touchdown. The 75-point score-a-thon established a Super Bowl record -- which still stands -- for total points by both teams.
Super Bowl II Packers 33, Raiders 14 Orange Bowl, Jan. 14, 1968
Whenever discussing "firsts" in Super Bowl history, you're usually talking about the Lombardi Packers. In Super Bowl II, Green Bay became the first two-time Super Bowl winner. And just as the Pack repeated, so did Bart Starr as the game MVP. This game drew the first $3 million gate in football history. It also marked Vince Lombardi's last game as Packers coach, and his team's fifth NFL title in seven seasons.
Super Bowl XXXIII Broncos 34, Falcons 19 Pro Player Stadium, Jan. 31, 1999
The last hurrah for Denver quarterback John Elway was epic. He won his second consecutive Super Bowl (after three early career failures), then stuck to his guns and retired from football. In this game, Elway didn't need one of his patented fourth-quarter comebacks to give his Hall of Fame career a proper sendoff. He threw for 336 yards and beat his former coach, Dan Reeves.
The Miami MVPs
Super Bowl II QB Bart Starr, Packers
Starr completed 13 of 24 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown to win his second consecutive Super Bowl MVP. (Yes, Starr somehow beat out receiver Max McGee in Super Bowl I. Maybe the voters were hung over.)
Super Bowl III QB Joe Namath, Jets
Who else? Namath (17-of-28, 206 yards passing) lived up to his famous "guarantee" and legitimized the AFL. Two years later, the NFL's merger with the AFL -- agreed upon in 1966 -- went into effect.
Super Bowl V LB Chuck Howley, Cowboys
The first defensive player (and also first player from a losing team) to be named Super Bowl MVP. Still, only six Super Bowl MVPs have come from defense, including the Cowboys' tandem of Randy White and Harvey Martin in Super Bowl XII.
Super Bowl X WR Lynn Swann, Steelers
Despite being hospitalized with a concussion that he received in the AFC Championship Game against Oakland, Swann rang up a then-Super Bowl record 161 receiving yards (still fourth best in the game's history) on only four catches.
Super Bowl XIII QB Terry Bradshaw, Steelers
Bradshaw not only was able to spell C-A-T but also M-V-P. He hit 17 of 30 passes for 318 yards and four touchdowns, which held up as a Super Bowl record for 11 years.
Super Bowl XXIII WR Jerry Rice, 49ers, above
A young Rice pulled down 11 Joe Montana passes for what is still a Super Bowl-record 215 yards. One of the Commanders' Smurfs, Ricky Sanders, ranks second all time (193 yards in Super Bowl XXII).
Super Bowl XXIX QB Steve Young, 49ers
Young stepped out of Joe Montana's shadow with a vengeance. He hung up a six-pack of touchdown passes, completed 24 of 36 passes for 325 yards, and walked off with the MVP hardware.
Super Bowl XXXIII QB John Elway, Broncos
No one in NFL history has ever thrown a retirement party quite like John Elway. He goes out in style, being carried triumphantly off the field by teammates after completing 18 of 29 passes for 336 yards and one TD. He also ran for a TD in leading the Broncos to their second consecutive Super Bowl title.
Magic in Miami
By RAY BUCK
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Getty Images
Joe Namath
More photosCategory: Miami Super Bowls.
Answer: Bart Starr, Joe Namath, Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana, Steve Young, John Elway.
Question: Who are six Hall of Fame quarterbacks who made Miami Super Bowls their personal playgrounds?
OK, there's no Super Bowl Jeopardy! But there have been plenty of Super Bowls in Miami.
The NFL has always made sure of that. From the beginning, Miami was selected early and often.
Two of the first three Super Bowls, and five of the first 13, were played in tropical paradise. Sunday marks No. 9, tying New Orleans for the most ever by a host city.
The Miami Super Bowls have provided spectacular performances -- individual and team -- as well as close games. Half the games have been decided by four points or less. A fifth was decided by nine points.
How we rank these Miami Super Bowls, based on memorable moments and sheer entertainment value:
Best one, guaranteed
Super Bowl III: Jets 16, Colts 7, Orange Bowl, Jan. 12, 1969
On the Thursday before the game, Joe Namath lounged around the Jets team hotel pool in Fort Lauderdale and "guaranteed" a victory over the vaunted NFL Colts. Only seven or eight reporters were there to record it firsthand. Namath skillfully guided his team's offense, which dominated the Colts' supposedly superior defense. Baltimore's Earl Morrall threw three first-half interceptions and was replaced late in the game by Johnny Unitas, who missed most of that season with an elbow injury. Unitas led the Colts to their only score. But what everyone remembers: Namath was right.
The frantic finishes
Super Bowl XXIII 49ers 20, Bengals 16 Joe Robbie, Jan. 22, 1989
Joe Montana threw for a Super Bowl-record 357 yards (which is still more than anyone not named Kurt Warner has thrown in a Super Bowl). Yet, the 49ers could find the end zone only twice -- on a pair of fourth-quarter Montana TD passes. While Jerry Rice (11 catches for 215 yards) was named the game's MVP, it was John Taylor who grabbed the 10-yard game-winner with 34 seconds remaining at the end of a 92-yard drive. The game's high drama helped offset the stunning pregame announcement that Bengals running back Stanley Wilson would not be suiting up for the game. He was found in his hotel room in a drug-induced stupor.
Super Bowl XIII Steelers 35, Cowboys 31 Orange Bowl, Jan. 21, 1979
Terry Bradshaw's four touchdown passes in this game was a Super Bowl record until Joe Montana (five) and Steve Young (six) came along. The 66 total points still rank fourth all time. The Steelers, who led 21-14 at halftime, exploded for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a span of 19 seconds (a Franco Harris run and a Lynn Swann catch. An ensuing 14-point rally by the Cowboys fell short, with Dallas failing to recover a last-gasp onside kick with 17 seconds remaining.
Super Bowl V Colts 16, Cowboys 13 Orange Bowl, Jan. 17, 1971
This was the first Super Bowl thriller. Baltimore rookie Jim O'Brien booted a 32-yard field goal with 5 seconds remaining. Prior to that, the big play of the game was a 75-yard touchdown pass from Johnny Unitas to Colts tight end John Mackey. The ball caromed off Colts receiver Eddie Hinton and Cowboys cornerback Mel Renfro... then settled into Mackey's hands, and suddenly the Cowboys' 7-0 lead was gone. Two facts from this game that few people remember: O'Brien had a second-quarter PAT kick blocked, and this was the first Super Bowl played on artificial turf.
Super Bowl X Steelers 21, Cowboys 17, Orange Bowl, Jan. 18, 1976
Another tough Cowboys loss. Roger Staubach threw two touchdown passes in the game and, on the final play, was gunning for a third which would've won it -- except the desperation throw was picked off in the end zone by Steelers safety Glen Edwards.
The Cowboys had closed to four points with 1:48 remaining when Staubach hit seldom-used Percy Howard for a 34-yard TD. Weird. That was Howard's only pass reception of his NFL career.
Good, bad ... and ugly
Super Bowl XXIX 49ers 49, Chargers 26 Joe Robbie, Jan. 29, 1995
The record for most touchdown passes thrown in a Super Bowl game (six) belongs to 49ers QB Steve Young. San Francisco's famed West Coast offense racked up 455 total yards, 28 first downs and seven touchdowns, and made the 49ers the NFL's first five-time Super Bowl winner. This game was over almost before it began. Just 1:24 after the opening kickoff, Jerry Rice turned a Young pass into a 44-yard touchdown. The 75-point score-a-thon established a Super Bowl record -- which still stands -- for total points by both teams.
Super Bowl II Packers 33, Raiders 14 Orange Bowl, Jan. 14, 1968
Whenever discussing "firsts" in Super Bowl history, you're usually talking about the Lombardi Packers. In Super Bowl II, Green Bay became the first two-time Super Bowl winner. And just as the Pack repeated, so did Bart Starr as the game MVP. This game drew the first $3 million gate in football history. It also marked Vince Lombardi's last game as Packers coach, and his team's fifth NFL title in seven seasons.
Super Bowl XXXIII Broncos 34, Falcons 19 Pro Player Stadium, Jan. 31, 1999
The last hurrah for Denver quarterback John Elway was epic. He won his second consecutive Super Bowl (after three early career failures), then stuck to his guns and retired from football. In this game, Elway didn't need one of his patented fourth-quarter comebacks to give his Hall of Fame career a proper sendoff. He threw for 336 yards and beat his former coach, Dan Reeves.
The Miami MVPs
Super Bowl II QB Bart Starr, Packers
Starr completed 13 of 24 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown to win his second consecutive Super Bowl MVP. (Yes, Starr somehow beat out receiver Max McGee in Super Bowl I. Maybe the voters were hung over.)
Super Bowl III QB Joe Namath, Jets
Who else? Namath (17-of-28, 206 yards passing) lived up to his famous "guarantee" and legitimized the AFL. Two years later, the NFL's merger with the AFL -- agreed upon in 1966 -- went into effect.
Super Bowl V LB Chuck Howley, Cowboys
The first defensive player (and also first player from a losing team) to be named Super Bowl MVP. Still, only six Super Bowl MVPs have come from defense, including the Cowboys' tandem of Randy White and Harvey Martin in Super Bowl XII.
Super Bowl X WR Lynn Swann, Steelers
Despite being hospitalized with a concussion that he received in the AFC Championship Game against Oakland, Swann rang up a then-Super Bowl record 161 receiving yards (still fourth best in the game's history) on only four catches.
Super Bowl XIII QB Terry Bradshaw, Steelers
Bradshaw not only was able to spell C-A-T but also M-V-P. He hit 17 of 30 passes for 318 yards and four touchdowns, which held up as a Super Bowl record for 11 years.
Super Bowl XXIII WR Jerry Rice, 49ers, above
A young Rice pulled down 11 Joe Montana passes for what is still a Super Bowl-record 215 yards. One of the Commanders' Smurfs, Ricky Sanders, ranks second all time (193 yards in Super Bowl XXII).
Super Bowl XXIX QB Steve Young, 49ers
Young stepped out of Joe Montana's shadow with a vengeance. He hung up a six-pack of touchdown passes, completed 24 of 36 passes for 325 yards, and walked off with the MVP hardware.
Super Bowl XXXIII QB John Elway, Broncos
No one in NFL history has ever thrown a retirement party quite like John Elway. He goes out in style, being carried triumphantly off the field by teammates after completing 18 of 29 passes for 336 yards and one TD. He also ran for a TD in leading the Broncos to their second consecutive Super Bowl title.
