It doesn’t get any bigger than the Super Bowl. It’s American by culture and inception, but now a worldwide phenomenon, and the most televised and watched event on an annual basis.
So it’s no secret then that a lifelong dream of almost any football player is to make it to the NFL, be in a Super Bowl, and have a major impact on winning the game. Somewhat surprisingly though, there hasn’t been a ton of Ohio State greats with major starring roles in the biggest of big games.
But there have been a few worth noting, and that’s what we’re going to do here. Here are the top ten performances by a former Ohio State football player in a Super Bowl. Who knows, maybe Nick Bosa or Darron Lee add to the story Sunday.
Next … No. 5
No. 5 – Jets FB Matt Snell, Super Bowl III
This one will go unnoticed by many because of the “guarantee” and performance by Jets quarterback Joe Namath. But Snell’s impact was just as big from the fullback spot. He carried the ball a whopping 30 times for 121 yards and a touchdown. His ability to get yards on the ground allowed New York to control the game and pull off what many consider as one of the greatest upsets in American sports history over the Baltimore Colts 16-7.
Next … No. 4
No. 4 – Rams OT Orlando Pace, Super Bowl XXXIV
It’s hard to gauge the impact of an offensive lineman, but Pace and the offensive front stole the show for the “Greatest Show on Turf.” Quarterback Kurt Warner led a Rams offense that was a sight to behold in 1999, but Pace was the engine that made it all go on the line. In the Super Bowl against the Titans, the then St. Louis Rams allowed just one sack all game and rolled up 436 of total offense in a 23-16 Ram victory.
Next … No. 3
No. 3 – Patriots LB Mike Vrabel, Super Bowl XXXVIII
Vrabel may have done most of his damage on the defensive end, but Bill Belichick and the coaching staff started to get a little creative and slip Vrabes in as a tight end in key spots. He scored the year after too in Super Bowl XXXIX, but also got into the endzone against the Carolina Panthers for the go-ahead touchdown with just a couple of minutes left. On the defensive end, he totaled two sacks to help the Patriots to a 32-29 victory.
Next … No. 2
No. 2 – Titans RB Eddie George, Super Bowl XXXIV
Eddie George and his Titans were on the wrong end of one of the classic Super Bowls of all-time, but it wasn’t because of his lack of production and effort. George rushed 28 times for 95 yards and the Titans only two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 35 yards as Tennessee tried to come back from a 16-0 deficit. The game ended Titans wide receiver Kevin Dyson was tackled just one-yard short from the end zone by Mike Jones and the Rams prevailed 23-16 as the clock ran out.
Next … No. 1
No. 1 – Steelers WR Santonio Holmes, Super Bowl XLIII
There is little doubt which former Ohio State player had the most impact in a Super Bowl. It’s Pittsburgh Steeler wide receiver Santonio Holmes, and it isn’t really close. Holmes caught nine passes for 131 yards but had one of the most iconic plays in Super Bowl history. With just :35 seconds left in the game and the Steelers trailing the Arizona Cardinals 23-20, Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger found Holmes in the corner of the end zone for a six-yard game-winning touchdown pass and reception. Holmes’ performance earned him Super Bowl MVP honors — the only Buckeye to receive the honor.
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