The 10 Biggest Choke Artists in Super Bowl History

By (Senior Writer) on January 31, 2012

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Making it to the Super Bowl may be great and all, but losing it is probably one of the worst feelings that an individual can feel.

You get so close to hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy, but you fall just short. It's even worse when you can just taste it, but then you choke. 

In that spirit, let's take a look at the 10 biggest choke artists in Super Bowl history. 

Donovan McNabb in Super Bowl XXXIX

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A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Donovan McNabb had tons of success with the Philadelphia Eagles, as he led them on several playoff runs and ultimately reached the Super Bowl in 2005—but he blew his chances at immortality.

In Super Bowl XXXIX against the New England Patriots, McNabb puked on himself—I mean, he literally puked on himself. (Well, there were rumors of McNabb being out of shape, thus leading to his feeling nauseous.)

With that being said, McNabb completed 30 of his 51 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns but was picked off three times in Philly's 24-21 Super Bowl loss against the Patriots.

Jackie Smith in Super Bowl XIII

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In the Dallas Cowboys' second drive of the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIII, Roger Staubach found Jackie Smith wide open in the end zone for the game-tying touchdown, but he simply dropped it.

Smith choked and dropped the game-tying touchdown.

2007 New England Patriots

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Harry How/Getty Images

Their record was 18-1. Do I really need to say much more?

The undefeated New England Patriots came into Super Bowl XLII looking to make history, but the New York Giants had other plans, as they handed them their first loss of the season. 

Thurman Thomas in Super Bowl XXVI

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George Rose/Getty Images

Entering Super Bowl XXVI, Buffalo Bills running back Thurman Thomas claimed that he was not getting enough attention and was not receiving enough credit, but he choked miserably. 

Against the Dallas Cowboys, Thomas ran for just 13 yards and infamously lost his helmet on the sidelines prior to the game even starting. 

Is this enough publicity now, Thurman? 

Rich Gannon in Super Bowl XXXVII

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Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

In Super Bowl XXXVII against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Rich Gannon threw a total of five touchdowns—but three of them were to the other team, as he was picked off five times with three of them being returned for a touchdown.

The NFL's MVP choked miserably against the Bucs, as he completed just 24 of his 44 passes for 272 yards and five total interceptions. 

Neil O'Donnell in Super Bowl XXX

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Mike Powell/Getty Images

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Neil O'Donnell has the lowest interception per attempt ratio in NFL history, but that certainly didn't show in Super Bowl XXX against the Dallas Cowboys.

O'Donnell and the Steelers had a third-quarter lead, but he threw a total of three interceptions, and they ultimately lost Super Bowl XXX 27-17.

John Kasay in Super Bowl XXXVIII

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Andy Lyons/Getty Images

John Kasay had just kicked the game-tying field goal with about a minute left in Super Bowl XXXVIII, but on the following kickoff, Kasay drilled the ball out of bounds.

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots got the ball on their own 40-yard line and ultimately marched down the field to kick the game-winning field goal. 

Peyton Manning in Super Bowl XLIV

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Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Peyton Manning may be one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, but he bit the big one in Super Bowl XLIV against the New Orleans Saints.

Tracy Porter is a name that Manning probably never wants to hear again. 

With 3:12 remaining in the game, Porter picked off Manning and returned it for a touchdown to seal the deal in New Orleans' 31-17 victory. 

Scott Norwood in Super Bowl XXV

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George Rose/Getty Images

Wide right! Wide right!

Scott Norwood of the Buffalo Bills had the chance to drill a 47-yard, game-winning field goal to win Super Bowl XXV, but he missed. He failed. He choked. 

Buffalo lost Super Bowl XXV 20-19 against the New York Giants. 

Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III

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Jarrett Baker/Getty Images

The Baltimore Colts came into Super Bowl III with an incredible 15-1 record, but there was one problem—Joe Namath guaranteed a victory.

Namath and the Jets ultimately upset the Colts 16-7 to win the NFL's third Super Bowl. 

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