Howley Was Named MVP Of Super Bowl V

Published on July 16th, 2024 1:46 pm EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


Here is a trivia question for you: who was the only player to ever be named the Super Bowl MVP on the losing team?

Over the history of the Super Bowl, only one player - Chuck Howley of the Dallas Cowboys - has been named Super Bowl MVP while playing for the losing team.

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It was Super Bowl V, and the Dallas Cowboys were squaring off against the Dallas Cowboys at the Miami Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida.

The Colts were 2.5 point favorites to win the game, and ended up winning by a score of 16-13.

For the only time in the history of the Super Bowl, a player on the losing team was named MVP of the game.

Johnny Unitas was the best player on either team, and he went out due to an injury in the second quarter.

This started a comedy of errors, as the two teams turned the ball over a total of 11 times over the course of the game.

Given the number of mistakes, it only makes sense that a defensive player - linebacker Chuck Howley of the Dallas Cowboys - was named MVP.

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The choice of Howley for MVP was an easy one, as he had two interceptions over the course of the game, to go along with two tackles.

The offenses from both teams were putrid, as both teams would toss three interceptions each.

The top rusher in the game was Wall Garrison of the Cowboys, who rushed for just 65 yards.

In short, both offenses did nothing, so it only made sense to select a defensive player as MVP.

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Defensive players have been named MVP of the Super Bowl a total of nine times (ten if you include the co-MVPs at Super Bowl XII).

Howley was notable for two reasons - he was a defensive player that won MVP, plus he won MVP on the losing team.