James Harrison - Super Bowl XLIII
James Harrison’s interception right before halftime in Super Bowl XLIII was perhaps one of best individual football plays in Super Bowl history. What would have looked like, at worst, a 10-10 tie from a Cardinals field goal or a 14-10 Cardinals lead at halftime, turned into Steelers 17-7 lead. Then Ben to Santonio in the corner of the end zone and well you know the rest.
The Steelers went on to win the game 27-23 and with it claim their sixth Lombardi Trophy in franchise history. Harrison deciding not to blitz on this play was ultimately the turning point of the game and he considers it his greatest play ever.
Tracy Porter - Super Bowl XLIV
The year after the Harrison interception, Tracy Porter took Peyton Manning’s pass to the house late in fourth quarter to seal a victory for the Saints over the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. This game could have gone either way when Peyton Manning got the ball back with 3:24 left, trailing 24-17. He drove them down to the Saints 33-yard line before throwing a rare ill-advised pass that Porter jumped in front of to seal the win for New Orleans. Only a few years after Hurricane Katrina, Drew Brees, Sean Payton and company delivered for their city.
Derrick Brooks - Super Bowl XXXVII
Derrick Brooks got the last word against the 2002 NFL MVP Rich Gannon. Picking him off over the middle of the field in a 48-21 blowout. Derrick Brooks led an absolute squad of a defense that included five All-Pro members: Ronde Barber, John Lynch, Warren Sapp, Simeon Rice and Brooks himself. This Super Bowl was all the Bucs fans had until Brady showed up.
Ty Law - Super Bowl XXXVI
The Super Bowl that started the Patriots dynasty. Brady himself wasn’t even sure who was starting at Quarterback until the night before. Following a tough regular season matchup, which the Rams won 24-17, Ty Law and the defense came up with a pick six early in the second quarter to get the Pats on the scoreboard, eventually stopping “The Greatest Show on Turf” enough times to give Tom Brady and Adam Vinatieri a chance to get Brady his first championship. Being 14 point underdogs, this is what started the NFL’s fear for Bellichick and Brady for years to come.
Malcom Butler - Super Bowl LII
Malcolm Butler’s interception against the Seahawks, a play that will live in infamy, why was Marshawn Lynch not given the ball that close to the goal line? Down by four with 26 seconds left in the game and goal-to-go from the ONE YARD LINE, Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll went for the end zone. Butler set up the back-end of the Brady-Bellichick dynasty and made himself up to be a super hero in the New England area forever, except for when he got benched against the Eagles. If you ever watch that play again please do not sleep on how well Brandon Browner jammed the other receiver to free up Malcom Butler to come down and make that play (just saying).
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