The 20 Most Iconic Superbowl Moments

The Last Second Victory

 Calling it a last-second victory would definitely be no exaggeration as that is exactly what happened in this iconic moment. In Super Bowl XXXVI, the St. Louis Rams and the Patriots were at 17-17. it looked as though it could only be a draw by this point as there was virtually no time left on the clock.But Adam attempted a 48-yard field goal a couple of seconds before the end of the game in a desperate last-minute attempt to steal the victory. And, as the clock went zero the ball flew straight into the middle of the posts. New England won their first Super Bowl title in the most iconic win ever. They also then carried on to be the most successful team for two decades. 

(Image Source/ TodaysNews)

Butler's Défense

This next iconic moment is widely regarded as the best defensive play in the history of the Super Bowl. The Patriots were against the Seattle Seahawks, who looked like they were headed to victory. Russel Wilson, playing for the Seahawks, threw a goal with just 20 seconds left.It looked like a guarantee that they would maintain the lead. But Malcolm Butler stepped in and successfully intercepted the ball. This move won the team the victory and Malcolm Butler became a Super Bowl star that will be remembered in NFL history forever.(Image Source/ boston.com)

Butler Delivers – 2015

Probably the greatest defensive play in Super Bowl history. The Seattle Seahawks had all the momentum and looked like they were on the verge of finishing off the game. In stepped Patriots’ rookie, Malcolm Butler.In what was an unbelievable read of the play, he intercepted Russell Wilson’s throw right on the goal line with just 20 seconds left to keep New England’s 28-24 lead intact. The play secured Super Bowl XLIX for the Patriots and etched Butler’s name into the history books forever.(Image Source/ Time)

Buffalo Bills Downfall

Importunely for the Buffalo Bills this moment is iconic for a negative reason. There were no victories here. They were playing a match against the New York Giants and it was the best chance they had had to win the Lombardi trophy. But the Buffalo Bills kicker named Scott Norwood attempted a 47-yard field goal with four seconds left on the clock.Unfortunately, the ball zoomed right past the goal. So, the Giants won the game by one point. This would not have been so iconic but this loss was the beginning of a streak where they lost four Super Bowls in a row.(Image Source/ Buffalorumblings)

 

The Jets Underdogs Win

 The Jets were the definite underdogs of the match. In most people's eyes, the outcome was set and there was no way the Jets would manage to secure the win. But Joe Namath (Jets team member) felt otherwise and he actually made a promise that the Jets would be victorious before the 1969 results.Somehow, they managed it and it became one of the most unexpected wins ever. Joe Namath walked off the pitch with his finger pointing to the sky, soaking in every second of the glory.(Image Source/ TodaysNews)

 

Max McGee's Comeback

One of the greatest Superbowl moments has to be the first-ever Superbowl and the first-ever goal. And, surprisingly this came from a player who wasn't even in the lineup to play that match. Max McGee scored the first-ever Superbowl score.The 37-year-old supposed everyone by opening the game in such a way. This was because he had previously had a bad season and he had broken his curfew by having a party the night before with two women who he had met in the bar that evening. Thankfully, his party with the two flight attendants did not seem to harm his performance.(Image Source/ venture.com)

Hank Stram's Accidental Announcement

The 4th Superbowl was a pretty eventful one. He was the coach for Kansas City Chiefs, and his team won against the Minnesota Vikings. His player Mike Garrett managed to run a touchdown and secure a win for the team.But the Chief's head coach was wearing an NFL microphone at the time, and so when he called out '65 Toss Power Trap' to signal the classic run that he wanted, it was not only the players that heard. The microphone was broadcast to the whole of the Super Bowl. Thankfully, it did not cost them the match and they won.(Image Source/ NewYorkTimes)

The Hammer Is Carried Off

 This iconic Superbowl moment was certainly iconic, and not I the spectacularly heroic sense unforetold. The Hammer was playing defensive back for Kansas City Chiefs against the Green Bay Packers in 1967.Instead, Fred Williamson (who is best known as The Hammer) was carried off the pitch on a stretcher after colliding with other players knew. It is not the grand reason that a player wants to be remembered for whilst playing the Superbowl. But he definitely makes the iconic list nonetheless.(Image Source/ vulture.com)

 

Vince Lombardi's Wins Twice

Vince Lombardi was a National Football League coach. He had made the Hall of Fame and was widely known as a very good and well-respected coach. Then, he made history twice by winning the first two Super Bowl histories.He won in a spectacular way, and these were the first two Superbowl victories ever so he became an icon. After this, he moved to the Washington Redskins. Lombardi had a very successful career, but sadly he passed away in 1970 due to cancer. The National Football League (NFL) then named the Super Bowl trophy in his name.(Image Source/ history.com)

A Victorious Sweep

There are not many NFL teams to have a continuously smooth ride. But the Miami Dolphins are still the only NFL team to ever have an undefeated season. There was one time when this seemed to be in jeopardy and things were not going their way.It was 1972, a title game and the team had just blocked a field goal. So, the kicker Garo Yepremian tried to throw the ball forward in Ina pass but lost control of the ball. Thankfully the situation was recovered and Mike Bass managed a touchdown. This was the only score of the whole game. But they still managed to keep their sweep of victories. (Image Source/ NFL.com)

The Superbowl MVP

A clear iconic moment has to be Lynn Swann's famo9us leap catch. When Swann caught the bowl, it was no ordinary catch. The way he dived in the air for it is something that any NFL fan remembers. He was playing for the Pittsburgh Stealers at the time, and his iconic catch helped his team gain a lead on the Dallas cowboys.It also of course earned him even more of a name for himself, and the title of the Super Bowl MVP. Not only this, but he was actually the first wide receiver who had ever earned this title.(Image Source/ NFL.com)

6th NFL Victory

 In 2009 Ben Roethlisberger stole the show with his pass in the Super Bowl XLIII. The team was behind by three points and time was running out fast. The Pittsburgh Steelers looked as though they were in for a loss.But Ben shot a pass into the end zone and despite there being several defenders at the end, he managed to catch the ball and win the game 27-23. And, it wasn’t any old win, it was their sixth NFL trophy.(Image Source/ Sportsnews.com)

David Tyree Famous Catch

This iconic moment is widely acknowledged as one of the best catches in the entire history of the Super Bowl. Giants quarterback player, named Eli Manning decided to throw into triple coverage with just 59 seconds of the game remaining.David Tyree reached out as the ball was about to land on the ground and clutched it to his helmet. Which, secured it. This was one of the first times that the Patriots had actually been defeated in the Super Bowl. And much of it was down to this iconic catch.(Image Source/ NFL.com)

Joe Greene Giving His Jersey Away

 This iconic moment is not even a moment of play, but a warm-hearted Super Bowl moment that is remembered by many when a player gave his jersey away. Joe Greene, who was nicknamed 'mean' due to his reputation, was spotted giving his jersey away to a young boy.The kid was absolutely blown away by this gesture. And, Greene's icy reputation has also been melted away as it was clear he had a good heart. It then became Coca-Cola’s commercial in 1979 which showed this moment as an inspirational act of goodwill.(Image Source/ Sportsdaily)

A symbol of Solidarity

 Again, this iconic moment is more about solidarity than the actual Super Bowl play. It was during a game between The Oakland Raiders and the Philadelphia Eagles. But it was more what was happening on outside of the Super Bowl that caught the attention.Outside of the New Orleans stadium on display was a huge yellow ribbon. This was to show support during the Iranian hostage crisis. It was memorable because the coverage and attention brought from a body such as the NFL are huge.(Image Source/ MPRnews)

Intercepting the Rocket Screen

This is one of the most iconic Super Bowl moments of play. The coach for the Washington Redskins called Joe Gibbs directed his quarterback Joe Thiemann to run the classic move named the 'Rocket Screen'.It was an attempt that the team could pull it back and take the lead and save them from this defeat. But Jack Squireck incepted the ball for a touchdown and it became one of the most memorable moments of Super Bowl history.(Image Source/ TodaysNews)

74-yard run

A 74-yard run is extremely impressive so of course, it has to be included in our list of iconic Super Bowl moments. The Los Angeles Raiders were playing against the Washington Redskins and they had a solid lead against the opposing team.Then, Marcus Allen the Redskins player confirmed their victory after a touchdown that included a 74-yard run. It is now a widely talked about the moment and he definitely sealed the victory for the team. (Image Source/ CNBC)

A Gatorade Shower

 The custom of soaking teammates in a shower of Gatorade can be attributed to the New York Giants. In 1987 the new tradition was created when they soaked Bill Parcell, the NYG's head coach with a cooler after they beat the Broncos with a score 39-20.In their celebration, they poured the contents of the cooler which apparently contained Gatorade, over the head of their coach. Now, it has become a kind of celebratory custom for the players to do to their coach. And, it was all because of this moment back in 1987.(Image Source/ TodaysNews)

XXI: Bill Parcells's Gatorade Bath 

Calm and Collected Joe Montana

Joe Montana had a reputation for being completely unphased by any situation, whether it was a time to panic or not, or whether they were about to face defeat or not. He secured this reputation during the fourth quarter of a game when he pointed to the stands and asked "Hey, isn't that John Candy?"This came immediately before performing a series of passes. Nothing can phase this guy. His reputation has earned him a name in Super Bowl history.(Image Source/ Sportsillustrated)

 

Whitney Houston Sang the National Anthem

Now, this iconic Super Bowl moment is nothing to do with football whatsoever. But it definitely earns a spot on the list. The legendary singer Whitney Houston performed her gospel inspires version of the National Anthem as well as a series of songs.Of course, this has gone down in Super Bowl history. She also donated all of the proceeds of her performance and her single to the soldiers of the Gulf War and their families to support them.(Image Source/ NYtimes)