Greatest Rookie Performances in Super Bowl History
Reaching the Super Bowl in a rookie season is rare, and making an impact is even harder. Most first-year players spend their time adjusting to the speed of the game, leaning on veterans, and hoping to contribute where they can. But every so often, a rookie steps onto football’s biggest stage and plays like he’s been there before. Let’s check out a few rookie players who definitely left their mark in Super Bowl history.
Timmy Smith – Super Bowl XXII
Credit: Sports Illustrated
Heading into Super Bowl XXII, Timmy Smith wasn’t even Washington’s go-to running back. He had just 126 rushing yards all season. But when his number was called, he delivered one of the most astonishing performances in Super Bowl history. The rookie gashed the Denver Broncos for 204 yards—still a record today—and added two touchdowns. Washington trailed 10-0 after the first quarter, but Smith’s explosive runs helped ignite a 42-point avalanche. No one saw it coming. Not the Broncos. Not even his own teammates.
Nick Bosa – Super Bowl LIV
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The 49ers built their defense around their pass rush, and Nick Bosa was a major reason why they reached Super Bowl LIV in his rookie year. His explosiveness off the edge gave Kansas City’s offensive line problems all game long, and he finished with 12 quarterback pressures, a sack, and a forced fumble. Even Patrick Mahomes, known for his ability to escape pressure, struggled to evade Bosa’s relentless pursuit. The 49ers couldn’t hold onto their lead in the fourth quarter, but Bosa’s performance made it clear that he was already among the best defensive linemen in the league.
Malcolm Butler – Super Bowl XLIX
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Some moments in Super Bowl history feel scripted. This was one of them. With 26 seconds left and the Seahawks on New England’s one-yard line, everyone expected Marshawn Lynch to punch it in. Instead, Russell Wilson fired a slant pass, and an undrafted rookie from West Alabama jumped the route. Malcolm Butler’s interception at the goal line stunned the world and secured the Patriots’ fourth Super Bowl win. The moment was so shocking that people still debate why Seattle threw the ball. But Butler didn’t care. His instincts made him a hero.
Corey Clement – Super Bowl LII
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When the Eagles lined up for the “Philly Special,” Corey Clement was just another piece of the puzzle. Afterward, though, we saw Clement’s role in that game go way beyond the expected. The undrafted rookie running back racked up 100 receiving yards, including a perfectly placed 22-yard touchdown pass from Nick Foles that required him to control the ball while keeping both feet in bounds. He was a reliable option in the passing game throughout the night and made key plays that kept the Eagles offense moving against the Patriots.
Chris Matthews – Super Bowl XLIX
Credit: Bleacher Report
If you had asked Seahawks fans before Super Bowl XLIX about Chris Matthews, they might have asked, “Who?” The rookie wide receiver had zero catches in the regular season. But against the Patriots, he became Seattle’s most dangerous receiver, pulling in four catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. New England’s defense, focused on stopping Seattle’s usual playmakers, wasn’t prepared for Matthews to be a factor, and he made them pay with big catches at key moments.
Joseph Addai – Super Bowl XLI
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Joseph Addai wasn’t the flashiest player, but he was the kind of back that made life easy for Peyton Manning. In a rain-soaked Super Bowl XLI, Addai caught a record-breaking 10 passes out of the backfield and amassed 143 total yards. He played a crucial role in keeping the Colts’ offense moving and wore down Chicago’s defense.
Eric Wright – Super Bowl XVI
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San Francisco’s first Super Bowl win in Super Bowl XVI wasn’t just about Joe Montana. It was also about their defense making key plays at the right time, with rookie cornerback Eric Wright delivering one of the biggest. The Bengals were threatening to score when Wright made a textbook open-field tackle that prevented a potential touchdown. This kind of play doesn’t always make highlight reels but makes the difference between winning and losing.
Richard Seymour – Super Bowl XXXVI
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Richard Seymour, in his rookie season, helped set the tone against the Rams’ offense with his ability to disrupt plays before they could develop. He didn’t put up big stats, but his presence in the trenches made it difficult for the Rams to establish any rhythm. His work in the middle was a major factor in New England’s shocking upset victory.
Torry Holt – Super Bowl XXXIV
Credit: Los Angeles Rams
The Rams’ offense was loaded with weapons in 1999, but rookie receiver Torry Holt still managed to carve out a key role in their Super Bowl XXXIV victory over the Titans. He finished with seven catches for 109 yards and a touchdown, which gave Kurt Warner a reliable target against Tennessee’s physical secondary. His ability to get separation and make plays in tight coverage helped St. Louis move the ball in key moments.
Antoine Winfield Jr. – Super Bowl LV
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie safety Antoine Winfield Jr. delivered a standout performance in Super Bowl LV. He made sure the Chiefs quarterback had no easy plays by racking up six tackles, disrupting passing lanes, and coming away with a momentum-shifting interception. Winfield’s most memorable moment came when he flashed a peace sign at Tyreek Hill—a little payback for Hill’s celebration earlier in the season.
Ja’Marr Chase – Super Bowl LVI
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With the Rams’ star-studded defense focused on stopping Cincinnati’s offense, Ja’Marr Chase still found ways to make big plays. He finished with over 80 receiving yards, including a spectacular one-handed catch. The Bengals didn’t win, but Chase immediately became one of the best receivers in the game.
Tristan Wirfs – Super Bowl LV
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Offensive linemen don’t get much love, but Tristan Wirfs deserved every bit of it after Super Bowl LV. As a rookie, he was a dominant force that kept Tom Brady upright against one of the league’s fiercest pass rushes. The Chiefs barely touched Brady all night, and Wirfs was a huge reason why.
Sony Michel – Super Bowl LIII
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Sony Michel’s fourth-quarter touchdown made all the difference in Super Bowl LIII. The rookie running back pounded his way to 94 rushing yards and found the end zone in a game where points were hard to come by. The Patriots leaned on him when they needed it most, and it really paid off.
Jamal Lewis – Super Bowl XXXV
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Jamal Lewis punished the Giants’ defense with physical running that helped the Ravens control time of possession. The rookie running back bulldozed his way to 102 rushing yards and a touchdown. Baltimore’s defensive dominance made sure the game was never in doubt and Lewis ensured the offense did its part.
Steve Smith – Super Bowl XLII
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Steve Smith didn’t make the most famous catch of Super Bowl XLII—that honor goes to David Tyree. At the same time, the rookie wide receiver played a key role in the Giants’ upset with the undefeated Patriots. His third-down catches on the game-winning drive helped set up the biggest touchdown in Giants history.