Almost everyone remembers the story of Super Bowl XXX MVP Larry Brown as it was one of the most improbable MVPs in the league’s history. Playing opposite of Deion Sanders, Brown had two interceptions against the Steelers that helped the Cowboys secure their fifth Super Bowl win.
But what most people don’t remember is what happened after that season. At the age of 27, Brown left Dallas for Oakland and never was able to live up to his status as a No. 1 cornerback.
In a recent article by Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, he named the 10 biggest flukes in NFL history. Not surprisingly, Brown showed up on the list at No. 9 after his six-interception season in 1995. Here is a snippet of Knox’s thoughts on Brown:
“Following Super Bowl XXX, Brown signed a hefty free-agent contract with the Oakland Raiders, though he failed to even come close to the player he was in 1995. He made just one start for the Raiders in two seasons before returning to Dallas for a four-game stint in 1998.”
There have been a few times in NFL history where a player has won a Super Bowl MVP, only to flame out shortly after. Recent examples include linebacker Malcolm Smith (XLVIII), wide receiver Santonio Holmes (XLIII), and cornerback Dexter Jackson (XXXVII).
Brown shouldn’t get too much criticism, however, for being a fluke as he did start 75 games in the NFL. However, it’s clear that without Deion Sanders opposite of him, he never was anything more than just an average cornerback. Still, he is a three-time Super Bowl champion with an MVP award tied to his name forever. Not bad for a “fluke.”
