Well, as you no doubt imagine, we must start with the Patriots. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are going to dominate these first few slides, and that’s because it seems unlikely any coach or player will top these two in certain categories.
Other ones, who knows—but we’ve picked the records that you shouldn’t get you into too many debates at the bar (over too many beers).
These seem like iron-clad locks to remain records:
Most Super Bowl games played, 9, Tom Brady
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(Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)
Does anyone really think there’s ever gonna be another QB who starts nine times—nine times, Mrs. Bueller—in Super Bowls? This seems highly unlikely.
Most Super Bowl wins by a player, 6, Tom Brady
And this, too. Six wins out of nine and the losses were all close upsets— beaten by the Giants 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII (2007) and again by the Giants 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI (2011), and then by the Philadelphia Eagles 41-33 in Super Bowl LII (2018). So, I mean, the dude could be nine for nine.
Most Super Bowl MVP awards, 4, Tom Brady
Again, you need to reach the Big Game to pull off four MVPs. Nobody thought Joe Montana’s record of three would be broken until Tom came along.
Most Super Bowl appearances as either a player or coach, 12, Bill Belichick
He was an assistant coach with the New York Giants in Super Bowls XXI and XXV, an assistant coach with the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI, and the head coach for the Pats in Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLII, XLVI, XLIX, LI, LII, and LIII.
That’s a lot of Roman numerals that nobody will reach and a record that won’t fall.
Most Super Bowl touchdowns in a career, 8,
Jerry Rice
Scored while playing for San Francisco in Super Bowl XXIII, XXIV, XXIX, and with the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII.
He was, in the words of Tina Turner, simply the best.
Highest passer rating in a Super Bowl, 150.92, Phil Simms – New York Giants vs. Denver, XXI
Simms completed 22 of 25 passes, including three touchdown passes and zero interceptions for a passing rating of an out-of-this-world 150.9, as the Giants trampled the Broncos 39-20 in Super Bowl XXI. So just three incompletions. If Jimmy Garoppolo doesn’t throw enough passes this Sunday—and he might not need to—he could break this record. Unlikely.
Most rushing attempts in a game, 38, John Riggins – Washington vs. Miami, XVII
Riggins was a beast of a running back running who ran over defenders behind Washington’s legendary offensive line nicknamed “The Hogs.” Riggins had 38 carries for 166 yards against Miami, including the big 43-yard TD. Thirty-eight carries are a ton for anyone in an NFL game, but Riggins was tough and rugged. His effort did indeed help Washington dominate the Dolphins and control the time of possession.
Most rushing yards in a Super Bowl, 204,
Timmy Smith – Washington vs. Denver, XXII
Smith, a fifth-round draft pick, really did enjoy mostly 60 minutes of fame—not much glory after that—with his first career start In Super Bowl XXII. Smith set a Super Bowl rushing record with rushing 204 yards, and he scored two touchdowns to power Washington to a 42-10 victory over the Denver Broncos.
Most interceptions in a Super Bowl, 3, Rod Martin – Oakland vs. Philadelphia, XV
Martin intercepted Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworksi three times to help the Raiders to a 27-10 win in Super Bowl XV. Three picks in any game, never mind the Super Bowl, seems like a tough feat to beat.
Super Bowl-winning kicks, 2, Adam Vinatieri
0:00 time left – New England vs. St. Louis Rams, XXXVI…
0:04 time left – New England vs. Carolina, XXXVIII…
Hard to imagine another kicker is going to get two shots like that, while succeeding and being called a hero twice.
