3 NFL Legends Who Won Super Bowls as Both Players and Coaches
The Super Bowl is nearly here and NFL enthusiasts, including fans, analysts, players and coaches, are eagerly anticipating the showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles on Feb. 13.
This year marks the 57th edition of the ultimate game in the NFL, with only 20 current teams having claimed the coveted title, 11 from the NFC and 9 from the AFC. Thirty-four different coaches have won the prestigious Vince Lombardi Trophy, with Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams being the latest and youngest to win the championship.
In the history of the championship game, only three individuals have earned the distinction of winning the trophy as both a player and as a coach.
#3, Tony Dungy
Tony Dungy's career as a player was not illustrious, as he was an undrafted free agent signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he was converted from quarterback to defensive back. He played just three NFL seasons.
He was the last player since 1977 to throw an interception and intercept a pass in the same game. He played a crucial role in helping the Steelers win their first Super Bowl in 1978, when he had his best season with six interceptions.
He started his coaching career in 1980 as a defensive backs coach for the Minnesota Vikings, where he went on to serve as defensive coordinator for several teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs.
16 years after Tony Dungy & Lovie Smith made history by becoming the first two Black head coaches to face off in Super Bowl, Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes become the 1st two starting Black QBs to face off in Super Bowl. Gloryyy https://t.co/ppYTB0OJjM
In 1996, Dungy was hired as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, tasked with turning around a struggling franchise. He did just that, revolutionizing the NFL with his "Tampa 2" defense scheme.
Although he was fired after the 2001 season, he is credited with building the core team that went on to win the Super Bowl the following season.
In 2002, Dungy was hired by the Indianapolis Colts, a team known for its offensive prowess but with defensive shortcomings.
Despite the challenge, Dungy successfully implemented his "Tampa 2" defense, leading the Colts to a Super Bowl victory in 2006 with a 29-17 win over the Chicago Bears. He was the first Black coach to win a Super Bowl.
The Colts won the AFC conference championship game against the New England Patriots 38-34 after overcoming a 21-3 deficit. This comeback remains one of the largest in conference game history.
His career as both a player and a coach has made him one of the few individuals to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy in both capacities, and he was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
#2, Mike Ditka
Mike Ditka was a successful tight end in the NFL, drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 1961 draft. In his rookie season, he made 58 receptions for 12 touchdowns, earning him the Rookie of the Year award and a spot in the Pro Bowl for the first of fime times in his career.
Ditka's career took him from the Bears to the Houston Oilers, then to the Philadelphia Eagles and finally to the Dallas Cowboys.
As a player, he made it to his first Super Bowl with the Cowboys in 1970. Then, in 1971, when he won the Super Bowl with Dallas, he set a franchise record for tight ends with 30 receptions in a season. He retired with the most receptions for a tight end at the time, with 427 receptions.
Ditka started his coaching career as an assistant with the Dallas Cowboys, serving for nine seasons and winning a Super Bowl as an assistant coach in 1977.
He was then hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears in 1982, leading the team to the NFC championship game in his third season and winning the Super Bowl in 1986.
After the 1992 season, Ditka left the Bears and went on to coach the New Orleans Saints for three seasons. He was named Coach of the Year in 1985 after a 15-1 winning record. He was one of just two individuals to have won the trophy as a player, assistant coach and head coach.
#1, Tom Flores
Tom Flores made his professional debut as a quarterback for the AFL's Oakland Raiders. He quickly became a starter and made history as the first Hispanic quarterback to start a game in professional football.
Tom Flores and Jim Plunkett. The first (and only) Mexican American Head Coach/QB Duo to ever win a Super Bowl.
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In 1967, Flores was traded to the Buffalo Bills, but his stay was short-lived due to injuries limiting his appearances. He was later signed by the Kansas City Chiefs, where he won the championship game as a player and retired after the 1970 season, ending his career as the fifth-leading passer in AFL history.
Flores began his coaching career as an assistant for the Bills and Oakland Raiders, winning a Super Bowl ring. In 1979, he was named the head coach of the Raiders after John Madden retired.
In his second season as head coach, he led the team to a Super Bowl win against the Philadelphia Eagles. He became the first coach to lead a wild-card team to a Super Bowl victory.
In 1983, Flores won his second Super Bowl as head coach, this time against the Washington Redskins. He made history as the first minority coach to win a Super Bowl and went on to win it twice.