The Best Talkers in Super Bowl History

The Super Bowl might be the biggest spectacle in sports each year, but the weeks leading up to the big game happen to be some of the most entertaining, too.

With 14 days between games and no action on the field to report about, players and media get restless and try to do what they can to pass the time.

In some cases, that includes a lot of trash talk.

Since this year has already brought a handful of banter back and forth between members of the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, I figured it would be a good idea to list the best talkers in Super Bowl history—and note if they were able to back up their words on Super Sunday.

Deion Sanders (Super Bowls XXIX and XXX)

BETH KAISER/Associated Press

Unlike others you'll read about on this list, former cornerback Deion Sanders makes the list as an honorary trash-talker rather than actually saying much prior to the various Super Bowls that he played in during his 14-year career with multiple teams.

One of the biggest, brightest and loudest talkers in sports history, Super Bowl XXIX proved just how big Neon Deion's lights were, when he was engulfed by reporters during media day as a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

And while Sanders made an interception during the game, it was his teammate, quarterback Steve Young, who really led the Niners to the 49-26 victory over the San Diego Chargers, earning Sanders his first championship ring.

Freddie Mitchell (Super Bowl XXXIX)

RUSTY KENNEDY/Associated Press

Giving himself the nickname FredEx because, you know, he always delivered, former wide receiver Freddie Mitchell must have forgotten that deliveries aren't made on Sundays.

After pretending to misremember the names of most defenders of the opposing New England Patriots prior to Super Bowl XXXIX, Mitchell was able to recall the name of Pats safety Rodney Harrison during a television interview, saying he had "something for him" according to USA Today.

While the hard-hitting Harrison played it off, he went out and had a monster performance in the game, intercepting two passes and adding a sack in the Pats' 24-21 victory.

As for FredEx? Well, he must have been stuck in the shipment room looking for a package, because he was all but invisible, hauling in one pass for 11 yards.

Michael Bennett (Super Bowl XLIX)

How about some love for the big fellas who play down in the trenches, huh?

One of the key cogs on the Seattle Seahawks' defensive front in the team's back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, Michael Bennett made himself a viral star when he celebrated the team's NFC Championship Game win by riding around on a police bike on the field.

He seems to have carried the publicity over to Phoenix with him for Super Bowl XLIX.

Becoming the star of media day this year, I don't even care how Bennett performs in the game, because he has won the Internet, again, thanks to his hilarious quotes with the mics on his face.

Thomas Henderson (Super Bowl XIII)

Associated Press

One of the most colorful personalities the NFL has ever seen, former linebacker Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson had a ton of memorable moments during, and after, his playing days.

But he finds himself on this list for the shot he took at Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw prior to their meeting in Super Bowl XIII.

Questioning the future Hall of Fame passer's intelligence by saying he "couldn't spell cat if you spotted him the C and the A," Henderson had the spotlight on him to back up his remarks—which he apologized for years later in New York Newsday (via Florida's the Sun Sentinel).

Not only did Hollywood have little impact on the contest, but Bradshaw threw for a first-half record 253 yards and finished the game with four touchdowns, leading the Steelers to a 35-31 victory, making Henderson the one who didn't look too smart.

Randy Moss (Super Bowl XLVII)

Former NFL wide receiver Randy Moss was never shy about running his mouth or giving the media something to write about.

Flashy and boisterous, Moss had a typical, big-time receiver's personality, knowing that his skills on the field were better than almost everyone else's—and he was quick to let people know about it.

And based off his regular-season stats—he currently sits fourth on the league's all-time touchdowns list and third on the all-time receiving yards list—Moss might think he could make a case for being the best at his position ever.

But he made the mistake of actually saying it to reporters...during Super Bowl week...while wearing a San Francisco 49ers jersey.

That wouldn't be such a big deal, in most cases. But when a certain guy named Jerry Rice used to don the same jersey and holds just about every receiving record in NFL history, it's hard to take Moss seriously on the topic.

And when he went out in Super Bowl XLVII and had almost zero impact with just two catches for 41 yards in a 34-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, his proclamation was dismissed even more.

Richard Sherman (Super Bowl XLIX)

Ah, yes, Richard Sherman.

Like others I've mentioned on this list, the Seattle Seahawks' All-Pro cornerback has been a staple for firing off memorable sound bites that have made him a reporter's dream.

And his words leading up to this year's Super Bowl XLIX didn't disappoint.

Unlike last year, when the cornerback praised Denver Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas while talking to reporters prior to the game, Sherman flipped the script these past two weeks leading up to his matchup with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady—with whom he has a brief history with from a past meeting.

Saying some interesting things about the future Hall of Fame passer during a press conference, Sherman got the banter between the two teams started by bringing up old stuff that is sure to add some fuel to the fire for both players on Super Sunday. He also mentioned what will realistically happen due to the whole Deflategate controversy.

Thurman Thomas (Super Bowl XXVI)

BILL SIKES/Associated Press

Former Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas wasn't known to run his mouth too much, usually just letting his play do the talking for him.

However, Thomas made the mistake of voicing his opinions on a couple of occasions—and they happened to come during two of the biggest games of his career.

Prior to Super Bowl XXVI, the runner was complaining about lack of respect or publicity. He promptly went out and rushed for 13 yards during the game, famously misplacing his helmet prior to kickoff.

The second instance came before Super Bowl XXVII against the Dallas Cowboys, who happened to have some guy named Emmitt Smith as their running back.

Rather than go head-to-head with his opposing counterpart, Thomas got outgained on the ground, 108-19, all but silencing his claims for respect.

Lyle Alzado (Super Bowl XVIII)

Anonymous/Associated Press

Playing with an intimidating and ferociously wild style during his 15-year NFL career, former defensive end Lyle Alzado also showed the same intensity whenever he was around a camera.

Like other players with such a personality, the Los Angeles Raiders' Alzado had some choice words to make sure opposing quarterback Joe Theismann of the Washington Redskins had a restless night before Super Bowl XVIII.

Saying that he was looking to "take off Joe Theismann's head" according to the Los Angeles Times, Alzado may not have beheaded the Redskins passer—thankfully—nor did he have one of his team's six sacks on Theismann, but he was part of a questionable play in the Raiders' blowout 38-9 victory.

Regardless of his personal stats, Alzado has a Super Bowl ring from the game, and that's the best way of backing up any smack talk.

Fred Williamson (Super Bowl I)

Uncredited/Associated Press

Proclaiming that he would be all over Green Bay Packers wide receivers Boyd Dowler and Carroll Dale prior to the very first Super Bowl in 1967, Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Fred Williamson received a rude awakening.

The Hammer, as Williamson was nicknamed, even went as far as saying, "Two hammers to Dowler, one to Dale should be enough."

So how did that work out for him?

After an injury to Dowler caused him to leave the game, the admittedly hungover Max McGee replaced him to burn Williamson with seven catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns before the defender was carried off on a stretcher.

Oh yeah—and his team lost.

Marshawn Lynch (Super Bowls XLVIII and XLIX)

Unless you're a reporter looking for something to write about on Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, it's hard not to like the guy.

I mean, really, his personality is a bit endearing in an age when most athletes are all about me, me and more me.

Rather than promote himself or say something he may regret, Beast Mode has simply avoided the cameras—getting fined when he does—and saying very little when he does show up.

During last season's Super Bowl media day, Lynch let out a now-legendary quote, saying he was "all 'bout that action, boss," becoming the most talked-about saying before the game.

In this year's version, Lynch gave a remarkable answer of "I'm just here so I won't get fined" an astounding 20-plus times in five minutes, proving he's smart in showing up so not to get slapped with another fine.

And while his Seahawks won Super Bowl XLVIII in a big way last season, with Lynch going for 39 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown in a blowout win, his encore performance in a few days is one that everyone is looking forward to.

Shannon Sharpe and Ray Buchanan (Super Bowl XXXIII)

It's one of the funniest clips from Super Bowl media day ever, as former players Shannon Sharpe and Ray Buchanan went head-to-head in playground-like disses.

Saying that the Denver Broncos tight end looked like a horse with his big teeth, Buchanan got the war of words started and amped up the duel between himself and Sharpe.

Not one to back down, Sharpe responded in kind, going on a hilarious rant that painted quite the picture about not willing to pick up the Atlanta Falcons defensive back if his truck was broken down on the side of the road in a snowstorm.

When all was said and done, none of it really mattered much, as neither had much of an impact on the game's outcome, with Sharpe's Broncos beating up Buchanan's Falcons, 34-19.

Joe Namath (Super Bowl III)

Anonymous/Associated Press

The undisputed champion on this list, New York Jets Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath etched his legacy thanks to his bold statement prior to Super Bowl III that his team would defeat the 19.5-point-favorite Baltimore Colts.

Although Namath didn't have a superb statistical performance, passing for 206 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, his team did come out on top, beating the Colts 16-7 and winning the game's MVP.

Known for his brash personality and flashy style, Broadway Joe may not have done anything other than feel confident in his team, but it still is, hands down, the most famous of all Super Bowl pregame talk.