No Kicker Has Ever Won Super Bowl MVP Award

The Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP) award has been given out 59 times, but a kicker has never won it. Quarterbacks usually get the award because they are seen as more important to the game's success.
By Newsroom | Sports, NFL |

The Super Bowl MVP award, a prestigious honor in the National Football League, has never been presented to a kicker in the 59 completed championship games. This recurring trend underscores the perceived value placed on other positions, particularly quarterbacks, in determining a game's most impactful player.

Historical Context of Super Bowl MVP Awards

The Super Bowl MVP award has been a consistent feature since the inception of the championship game. Across the 59 Super Bowls played, the dominant position receiving this accolade has been quarterback.

  • Quarterback Dominance: Reports indicate that quarterbacks have secured the MVP award in a substantial majority of Super Bowls.

  • Specialist Scarcity: Players in specialist roles, such as kickers and punters, have historically been underrepresented in MVP considerations.

Analysis of Award Patterns

An examination of Super Bowl MVP recipients reveals a clear pattern of positional preference. While the exact number varies slightly across different analyses, the overarching conclusion remains consistent.

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  • Quarterback Prevalence: For instance, one report states that 34 out of 60 MVP award winners were quarterbacks, illustrating their frequent selection.

  • Special Teams Underrepresentation: Specialists are noted as rarely winning the award, with the difficulty in determining their specific value often cited as a contributing factor.

Examining the Possibility for Kickers

Despite the historical absence of a kicker as Super Bowl MVP, the question of whether it's ever happened or could happen is a point of discussion.

  • No Historical Precedent: Multiple sources explicitly state that no kicker has ever won Super Bowl MVP.

  • Defining Impact: The nature of the MVP award typically favors players who are seen as directly and significantly influencing the game's outcome through scoring drives, game-winning plays, or exceptional overall performance. While a kicker's contribution can be crucial, it is often seen as a singular aspect of a larger team effort.

Conclusion and Implications

The data from the reviewed articles consistently demonstrates that the Super Bowl MVP award has never been won by a kicker. This historical fact suggests that the criteria for MVP selection, whether formal or informal, have consistently favored positions that are more broadly involved in offensive and defensive play-calling and execution. The impact of a kicker, while vital, is typically viewed through a more specialized lens compared to the comprehensive influence attributed to quarterbacks.

Sources:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Has a kicker ever won Super Bowl MVP?
No, a kicker has never won the Super Bowl MVP award in the 59 games played so far.
Q: Who usually wins Super Bowl MVP?
Quarterbacks have won the award most often. They are seen as key players in the game.
Q: Why don't kickers win MVP?
The award often goes to players who have a bigger impact on the whole game, like quarterbacks who lead scoring drives. A kicker's job is important but seen as more specific.