The All-Time Super Bowl Team

Super Bowl performances spawn sport legends and can cement gridiron legacies.

Entering Super Bowl XLVI, the buzz in anticipation about the next great performance is as tremendous as ever.

Will it be Tom? EIi? Umenyiora? Gronkowski?

Before those questions are answered on Sunday, here is a team of the best Super Bowl performers in history.

Chosen on this team are 27 players (12 on offense; 12 on defense; 12 on special teams) and three coaches whose performances are legendary, the greatest at each position in Super Bowl history.

Here listed: The All-Time Super Bowl Team...

Quarterback: Joe Montana

When it comes to Super Bowls…there is simply no one better. Montana performed perfectly in his four appearances on the NFL’s grandest stage.

Aside from his 11 touchdown throws to zero interceptions, Montana led San Francisco to victory in every feasible way. He vastly outshone two Hall of Fame quarterbacks in head-to-head meetings, John Elway and Dan Marino. He won big (38-16 in Super Bowl XIX; 55-10 in Super Bowl XXIV), he won close (26-21 in Super Bowl XVI) and he won late (a game-winning drive to win 20-16 in Super Bowl XXIII).

He ranks first in Super Bowl passer rating, first in touchdown passes, second in passes completed and second in passing yards.

Montana was to Super Bowls what Michael Jordan was to the NBA Finals; what Bill Russell was to game sevens…

...simply perfect.

Quarterback: Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers (1979-1992); XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV

SB RECORD	CMP	ATT	CMP%	YDS	TD	INT	RATE
4-0	83	122	68.0	1142	11	0	127.8

Honorable Mention: Terry Bradshaw, Troy Aikman, Tom Brady

Running Back: Emmitt Smith

At halftime of Super Bowl XXVIII the Dallas Cowboys trailed the Buffalo Bills 13-6. On the Cowboys first drive of the third quarter a decision was made to get the ball to the best player on the field. That player was Emmitt Smith. Smith carried the ball for 71 yards on the Cowboys 74 yard touchdown drive to take the lead. Dallas never looked back winning 30-13.

Smith carried the ball and the Cowboys to three Lombardi trophies in the 1990’s. His five rushing touchdowns rank first in Super Bowl history. His 289 yards is second only to Franco Harris. Smith’s 132 yards in Super Bowl XXVIII is ninth all time for a single-game performance.

Running Back: Emmitt Smith, Dallas Cowboys (1990-2002); XXVII, XXVIII, XXX

SB RECORD	ATT	YDS	Y/A	TD	REC	REC YDS
3-0	70	289	4.1	5	11	76

Running Back: Roger Craig

Super Bowl XIX featured two of the NFL’s greatest stars in history. But in a game that is remembered as Marino vs. Montana, it was a 6’0" back out of Nebraska that stole the show. Roger Craig accounted for 133 total yards in the Super Bowl against the Miami Dolphins and scored three touchdowns.

Roger Craig was the perfect back in Bill Walsh’s west coast offense. One of the most versatile backs in NFL history, Craig ranks in the top 10 in rushing touchdowns, receptions and rushing-plus-receiving yards in the Super Bowl. The four-time pro bowler may not be a Hall of Famer, but he was a Super Bowl stud.

Running Back: Roger Craig, 49ers (1983-1990); XIX, XXIII, XXIV

SB RECORD	ATT	YDS	Y/A	RSH TD	REC	REC YDS	REC TD
3-0	52	201	3.8	2	20	212	2

Honorable Mention: Larry Csonka, Franco Harris, Terrell Davis

Wide Receiver: Jerry Rice

Outside of Joe Montana, Jerry Rice is arguably the best Super Bowl performer in the history of the game. His 11 receptions for 215 yards in Super Bowl XXIII is a single game record. His three touchdowns in Super Bowl XXIV and XXIX are also single game bests.

He ranks first with eight touchdowns in his Super Bowl career. That is five ahead of Cliff Branch (second on the list.) Rice’s 589 career receiving yards in the Super Bowl are more than 200 yards ahead of Lynn Swann (second on the list.) Rice went to the Super Bowl with two franchises and with three different quarterbacks.

When the lights were brightest…Rice was always best.

Wide Receiver: Jerry Rice, 49ers (1985-2000); Oakland Raiders (2001-2004); XXIII, XXIV, XXIX, XXXVII

SB RECORD	REC	YDS	Y/C	TD
3-1	33	589	17.8	8

Wide Receiver: Lynn Swann

There is a reason why Lynn Swann is in the Hall of Fame: His Super Bowl performances.

The Pittsburgh Steeler wide receiver never had a 1,000 yard season and never scored more than 11 touchdowns in a year. But in the four biggest games of his career, Swann was brilliant.

Swann's highlight catches in the Super Bowl personify his nine year career. In Super Bowl X he caught four passes for 161 yards and one touchdown. Three years later, Swann was responsible for seven catches for 124 yards and one touchdown. In his Super Bowl career, Swann averaged an astounding 22 yards per catch.

No receiver in history, not even Jerry Rice, has had their hand (literally) in more Super Bowl victories than Lynn Swann.

Wide Receiver: Lynn Swann, Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-1982); IX, X, XIII, XIV

SB RECORD	REC	YDS	Y/C	TD
4-0	16	364	22.7	3

Wide Recieiver: Cliff Branch

No one ever out-threw the most dangerous weapon of Al Davis’ vertical passing attack. And in big moments, few out performed Cliff Branch at the receiver position.

Despite not ever playing with a Hall of Fame quarterback, Branch amassed 181 receiving yards and three touchdowns in Super Bowls.

In Super Bowl XVIII, against the heavily favored Washington Redskins, Branch torched Joe Gibbs’ defense to the tune of 94 yards and a touchdown that gave the Raiders a 14-7 lead. The Raiders and Branch never looked back, winning Super Bowl XVIII 38-9.

Wide Receiver: Cliff Branch, Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders (1972-1985); XI, XV, XVIII

SB RECORD	REC	YDS	Y/C	TD
3-0	14	181	12.9	3

Honorable Mention: John Stallworth, Michael Irvin, Deion Branch

Tight End: Jay Novacek

Some of the best tight ends in NFL history have never played in the Super Bowl. Kellen Winslow, Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates have a combined 33 years of experience and have totaled over 2,200 receptions, yet there is not a single Super Bowl appearance between them

On the other hand, Jay Novacek caught 17 passes and two touchdowns in his three Super Bowl victories. In his six years in Dallas, Novacek went to five straight Pro Bowls.

In Super Bowl XXX against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Novacek lifted the Dallas offense with 50 yards and caught the only touchdown pass from Troy Aikman.

Tight End: Jay Novacek, Dallas Cowboys (1990-1995); XXVII, XXVIII, XXX

SB RECORD	REC	YDS	Y/C	TD
3-0	17	148	8.7	2

Honorable Mention: Marv Fleming, Mark Bavaro, Shannon Sharpe

Offensive Line: Art Shell, Gene Upshaw, Mike Webster, Russ Grimm, Forrest Gregg

This eclectic collection of talent on the offensive line is a combined 14-1 in Super Bowls. Between them, they share 37 pro bowl selections and each are Hall of Famers.

They’ve helped block for some of the most prolific running performances in Super Bowl history.

The 831 yards and nine touchdowns scored on the ground by backs Jim Taylor, Franco Harris, John Riggins and Marcus Allen are largely in part to the work these offensive linemen.

Left Tackle: Art Shell, Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders (1968-1982); XI, XV

SB RECORD	NOTABLES
2-0	8 time Pro Bowler; Blocked for 210 combined rushing yards in Super Bowl XI; 1989 Hall of Fame inductee

Left Guard: Gene Upshaw, Oakland Raiders (1967-1981); XI, XV

SB RECORD	NOTABLES
2-0	5 time All-Pro; Blocked for 210 combined rushing yards in Super Bowl Xl; 1987 Hall of Fame inductee

Center: Mike Webster, Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-1988); IX, X, XIII, XIV

SB RECORD	NOTABLES
4-0	9 time Pro Bowler; 5 time All-Pro; Blocked for the 5th most passing yards in Super Bowl history (4 games); Blocked for the most rushing yards in Super Bowl history (4 games)

Right Guard: Russ Grimm, Washington Redskins (1981-1991); XVII, XVII, XXIII, XXVI

SB RECORD	NOTABLES
3-1	4 time Pro Bowler; Blocked for John Riggins 166 rushing yards in Super Bowl XVII, Timmy Smiths 202 rushing yards in Super Bowl XXII, and 121 combined rushing yards in Super Bowl XXVI; 2010 Hall of Fame inductee

Right Tackle: Forrest Gregg, Green Bay Packers (1956-1970); Dallas Cowboys (1971); I, II, VI

SB RECORD	NOTABLES
3-0	9 time Pro Bowler; 7 time All-Pro; Played on 3 NFL champions, 3 Super Bowl Champions; Blocked as the right tackle for the Packers infamous "Sweep Right"; 1977 Hall of Fame inductee

Honorable Mention: Larry Little, Mark Schlereth, Randy Cross

Defensive Line: Charles Haley, Joe Greene, Willie Davis

This decorated assembly of defensive linemen is a perfect 11-0 in Super Bowls.

Each of them served as the leaders to their respective front sevens. Between Davis, Haley and Greene, they played on the first four dynasties of the Super Bowl era. They've collected ten sacks amongst them and have performed admirably in some of the greatest defensive performances in Super Bowl history.

Willie Davis and his Green Bay Packers played against the AFL's top scoring offenses (Chiefs, Raiders) in consecutive Super Bowls, but held them to 24 points combined. Both the AFL's Chiefs and Raiders posted season lows in points when playing against Davis and the Packers defense in the Super Bowl.

Joe Greene and the Pittsburgh Steelers kept the Minnesota Vikings out of the end zone completely in Super Bowl IX, as Greene recorded an interception and a fumble recovery.

Charles Haley played in Super Bowls with both the 49ers and Cowboys. More impressive, Haley recorded a sack in four of his five Super Bowl performances.

Defensive End: Charles Haley, San Francisco 49ers (1986-1991); Dallas Cowboys (1992-1996); XXIII, XXIV, XXVII, XVIII, XXX 

SB RECORD	NOTABLES
5-0	5 time Pro Bowler; Recorded 4.5 in Super Bowls (5 games); Won more Super Bowls than any other defensive player

Defensive End: Willie Davis, Green Bay Packers (1960-1969); I, II

SB RECORD	NOTABLES
2-0	5 time All-Pro; Recorded 3 sacks in Super Bowl I; Recorded 4.5 sacks in Super Bowls (2 games); 1981 Hall of Fame inductee

Defensive Tackle: Joe Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers (1969-1981); IX, X, XIII, XIV

SB RECORD	NOTABLES
4-0	3 time Defensive Player of the Year Awards; 10 time Pro Bowler; INT & fumble recovery in Super Bowl IX; 1 sack in Super Bowl XIII

Honorable Mention: Manny Fernandez, L.C. Greenwood, Reggie White

Inside Linebackers: Ray Lewis, Jack Lambert

Ray Lewis is the only defensive player on this team that played in just one Super Bowl. However, his performance--and that of his defense—was so impressive in Super Bowl XXVI that it’s impossible to not put him on this team.

Although he only helped out on five tackles with four pass deflections in his sole Super Bowl appearance, Lewis visibly led the greatest defensive performance in the game’s history.

As NFL.com noted following Super Bowl XXVI, “the select panel of voters and Internet voters simply recognized that he [Lewis] was the heart, soul and leader of perhaps the best defensive unit and performance in Super Bowl history.”

If Joe Greene was the leader of the “Steel Curtain,” then Jack Lambert was the face of it.

Lambert was part of the backbone to Pittsburgh’s 4-0 Super Bowl record during the 1970’s. The Steeler linebacker and the vaunted Steelers defense forced an impressive 14 turnovers in their four Super Bowl appearances. Lambert recorded one all by himself, intercepting a pass from quarterback, Vince Ferragamo, in Super Bowl XIV.

Inside Linebacker: Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens (1996-2011*); XVI

SB RECORD	NOTABLES
1-0	13 time Pro Bowler; 7 time All-Pro; Super Bowl XVI MVP; Played on defense that allowed 0 points in the Super Bowl

Inside Linebacker: Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-1984); IX, X, XIII, XIV

SB RECORD	NOTABLES
4-0	9 time Pro Bowler; 6 time All-Pro; INT in Super Bowl XIV

Honorable Mention: Chuck Howley, Nick Buoniconti, Teddy Bruschi

Outside Linebackers: Lawrence Taylor, Rod Martin

One of these linebackers is regarded as one of the best players in football history. The other is hardly a household name, or even a name that many football fans are familiar with.

However, it's the former—Lawrence Taylor—who does not show up in the box score of his two Super Bowl appearances. Nevertheless, Taylor captained two amazing defensive performances on the NFL's biggest stage against elite offenses.

In 1990, Taylor and the Giants D faced off against the top scoring offense in the NFL. Entering Super Bowl XXV, the Buffalo Bills had scored 95 points in their previous two playoff contests. However, against Lawrence Taylor and the New York Giants, Buffalo scored just 19 points.

Lawrence Taylor is proof that the impact of greatness goes well beyond the box scores. To quote Bill Belichick, Taylor's former defensive coordinator, "stats are for losers..."

Don't tell that to linebacker Rod Martin though. In his two Super Bowl performances Martin filled up the stat sheet. Most impressive, in Super Bowl XV, Martin picked off Eagles quarterback, Ron Jaworski, three times! In his followup performance, in Super Bowl XVIII against the top scoring offense, Martin recorded a sack on Joe Theismann as he helped hold the  Washington Redskins to just nine points.

Outside Linebacker: Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants (1981-1993); XXI, XXV

SB RECORD	NOTABLES
2-0	10 time Pro Bowler; 8 time All-Pro; 132.5 career sacks; 6.5 post season sacks; 1999 Hall of Fame inductee; Defeated top ranked Buffalo Bills defense in Super Bowl XXV

Outside Linebacker: Rod Martin, Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders (1977-1988); XV, XVIII

SB RECORD	NOTABLES
2-0	Recorded 3 interceptions in Super Bowl XV against the Philadelphia Eagles; 1 sack in Super Bowl XVIII; Played on a defense that forced 6 turnovers in Super Bowl XV & XVIII

Honorable Mention: Bill Romanowski, Mike Vrabel, James Harrison

Cornerbacks: Mel Blount, Larry Brown

Mel Blount was every wide receiver's nightmare.

The physical, hard-tackling corner was as aggressive and as tough as the front seven that played beside him.

Blount's physical nature may not have translated to today's NFL with the rules protecting receivers, but in his four Super Bowl appearances the 1989 Hall of Fame inductee recorded two interceptions. The five-time Pro Bowler and four-time champion is an easy choice for this list.

Cornerback: Mel Blount, Pittsburgh Steelers (1970-1983); IX, X, XIII, XIV

SB RECORD	NOTABLES
4-0	5 time Pro Bowler; 1989 Hall of Fame inductee; Starter on a defense that forced 12 turnovers in 4 Super Bowl victories; 2 Super Bowl interceptions

Playing in a secondary with Deion Sanders and Darren Woodson, it seems unfitting that cornerback Larry Brown makes this team.

However, in Super Bowls, Brown led the way. He captured Super Bowl XXX MVP honors after he made the biggest play of the game when he intercepted his second pass from  Neil O'Donnell and returned it deep into Pittsburgh territory.

In total, Brown has more Super Bowl interceptions than Sanders and Woodson combined. 

Cornerback: Larry Brown, Dallas Cowboys (1991-1998) XXVII,XXVIII, XXX

SB RECORD	NOTABLES
3-0	Super Bowl XXX MVP; 3 Super Bowl interceptions; Starter on a defense that forced 15 turnovers in Super  Bowl XXVII, XXVIII, XXX

Safeties: Jake Scott, Ronnie Lott

Ronnie Lott has 10 Pro Bowl selections, six All-Pro selections, and four Super Bowl rings. However, he makes this team based on what he doesn't have.

During the 1985 season finale, Lott collided with a defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys and injured his pinky finger. Instead of accepting what doctors believed might be a season ending injury, Lott opted to have the finger amputated so that he could continue to play in the post season. 

The 49ers defensive captain went on to capture another two championship rings without the finger and without ever allowing another passing touchdown in the Super Bowl.

Free Safety: Ronnie Lott, San Francisco 49ers (1981-1990); XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV

SB RECORD	NOTABLES
4-0	10 time pro bowler; 6 time All-Pro; 2000 Hall of Fame inductee; Leader of a secondary that allowed just 3 touchdown passes in 4 Super Bowl victories

Strong Safety Jake Scott is the only player from the 1972 undefeated Miami Dolphins to make this team. On a unit referred to as the "no name" defense, Scott certainly made a name for himself in the Super Bowl.

He led a secondary that allowed just one passing touchdown in their two Super Bowl victories. Scott picked off two passes in Super Bowl VII against the Redskins and was awarded the game's MVP for his performance.

Strong Safety: Jake Scott, Miami Dolphins (1970-1975); VI, VII, VIII

SB RECORD	NOTABLES
2-1	Super Bowl VII MVP; 2 interceptions in Super Bowl VII; Starter on a defense that allowed a combined 7 points in Super Bowl VII, VIII

Honorable Mention: Dexter Jackson, Rodney Harrison, Troy Polamalu

Special Teams: Adam Vinatieri, Ray Guy, Desmond Howard

Adam Vinatieri is responsible for 34 points in his five Super Bowl appearances.

Most importantly, though, he is responsible for two of the most legendary kicks in championship history: a 45-yard field goal to beat the St. Louis Rams and a 41-yard field goal to beat the Carolina Panthers.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick even once called Vinatieri the best player on the team.

When considering the most clutch Super Bowl performers in history, a list that starts with Montana, Brady, Bradshaw and Rice ought to include Vinatieri as well.

Kicker: Adam Vinatieri, New England Patriots (1996-2005); Indianapolis Colts (2006-2011*); XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLI

SB RECORD	NOTABLES
4-1	Most Super Bowl appearances & victories amongst any kicker ever; Game-winning kicks in Super Bowl XXXVI, XXXVIII; Super Bowl victories with two different franchises

When Al Davis selected punter, Ray Guy, with the 23rd overall selection in the first round of the 1974 NFL draft, many skeptics scoffed.

However, no punter in history put their defense in better field position (especially in Super Bowls) than Ray Guy.

Punter: Ray Guy, Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders (1973-1986); XI, XV, XVIII

SB RECORD	NOTABLES
3-0	3 time Super Bowl Champion; 15 punt attempts for 587 yards in 3 Super Bowl appearances;

Desmond Howard is the only special teams player to claim a Super Bowl MVP.

And rightfully so.

With the Packers clinging to a 27-21 lead late in the third quarter against the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI, the momentum had shifted to New England’s corner. Then, Desmond Howard came up with the game’s biggest play.

Howard returned an Adam Vinatieri kickoff 99 yards to the end zone. The game’s MVP recorded an astounding 244 total return yards in the Packers Super Bowl XXXI victory.

Return Specialist: Desmond Howard, Green Bay Packers (1996); XXXI

SB RECORD	NOTABLES
1-0	Super Bowl XXXI MVP; 4 kick returns for 154 yards in Super Bowl XXXI; 6 punt returns for 90 yards in Super Bowl XXXI

Honorable Mention; Don Beebe, Sean Landeta, Jermaine Lewis

Coaches: Chuck Noll, Bill Walsh, Bill Belichick

Would you imagine that an NFL coach with 193 wins and who is a perfect 4-0 in Super Bowls is still underrated?

Such is the case with long time Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Chuck Noll. No head coach, entering Super Bowl XLI, has as many Super Bowl victories as Noll's four.

He sat at the helm of one of the best dynasties in the NFL for 23 years and coached arguably one of the best teams in league history, the 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers.

In Super Bowls, Noll's Steelers outscored their opponents by a combined 30 points.

Head Coach: Chuck Noll, Pittsburgh Steelers (1969-1991); IX, X, XIII, XIV

Bill Walsh is regarded as the master and inventor of the 'West Coast Offense.' Without Bill Walsh, there may be no Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, or Steve Young.

Walsh is a perfect 3-0 in Super Bowls as a head coach and retired after the 1988 championship season. His 'West Coast Offense' would go on to see two more Super Bowl titles in 1989 and then again in 1994 under coach George Seifert.

Offensive Coordinator: Bill Walsh, San Francisco 49ers (1979-1988); XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV

Bill Belichick has designed Super Bowl game plans to defeat some of the most outstanding quarterbacks in NFL history.

As the New York Giants defensive coordinator, Belichick's defense slowed offenses led by John Elway and Jim Kelly. As New England's head coach, his defense has outplayed and "outphysicaled" both Kurt Warner and Donovan McNabb.

Belichick has defeated the "no-huddle" and the "greatest show on turf." Hes appeared in a total of seven Super Bowls and ranks third amongst head coaches with 17 playoff victories.

Defensive Coordinator: Bill Belichick, New England Patriots (2000-2011*); XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXIX; New York Giants Defensive Coordinator (1985-1990); XXI, XXV