5 biggest Super Bowl MVP snubs in NFL history feat. Chris Jones and Rodney Harrison
The Super Bowl MVP award was intended to be given to the player with the most impactful performance in the game. Like the regular season MVP award, it's often given to a quarterback, although they aren't always the most deserving. Here are five players who were snubbed from being named the Super Bowl MVP, despite their excellent performances.
Biggest Super Bowl MVP Snubs
#5 - Thurman Thomas, 1991 Super Bowl
Thurman Thomas was on the losing end of the 1991 Super Bowl, but his performance still shined in the game. He led the Buffalo Bills with 20 touches for 190 yards against an elite New York Giants defense and outperformed MVP winner Ottis Anderson in all categories. It's rare for a player from a losing team to win the MVP of the game, but it wouldn't have been the first time it happened.
#4 - Chris Jones, 2019 Super Bowl
Chris Jones may have been a victim of not doing much in the box score, but his presence played a major role in the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the San Francisco 49ers. He pressured Jimmy Garoppolo up the middle all game long, batted down three important passes, forced an interception from his pass rush and consistently slowed down the opposing ground game.
#3 - Justin Tuck, 2012 Super Bowl
Justin Tuck recorded two sacks in each of the New York Giants' victories against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Eli Manning was named the MVP for both of them, but Tuck had strong cases, especially in the second one. He forced Tom Brady into a safety for the opening score of the game, hit him three more times in the game and added three tackles for a loss, while Manning recorded just one touchdown.
#2 - Rodney Harrison, 2005 Super Bowl
Rodney Harrison was one of the biggest factors in the New England Patriots defeating the Philadelphia Eagles. He filled up the stat sheet with 10 tackles, two interceptions and a sack. One of those interceptions was a game-clinching play, but Deion Branch was named the MVP instead with 11 receptions for 133 yards.
#1 - Dwight Smith, 2003 Super Bowl
Dwight Smith is regarded as the biggest Super Bowl MVP snub in NFL history after his massive performance for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He recorded two interceptions against the Las Vegas Raiders and returned both of them for TDs. Dexter Jackson was named the MVP of the game, and while he also had two interceptions, he didn't return either of them for TDs.