Top 20 quarterback performances in Super Bowl history

MIAMI, FL - January 14, 1968: Quarterback Bart Starr #15 of the Green Bay Packers turns to hand the ball off against the Oakland Raiders during Super Bowl II at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. The Packers won the game 33-14. Starr played for the Packers from 1956-71. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

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31 Jan 1988: Quarterback Doug Williams of the Washington Redskins throws from the pocket during the first quarter of the Redskins 42-10 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Icon Sportswire) /

5. Doug Williams, Super Bowl XXII

Perhaps the most unheralded guy on this list is Doug Williams. He took a circuitous path to Washington, spending five years being under-appreciated in Tampa Bay and three more in the USFL before signing on to back up Jay Schroeder in 1987.

Schroeder had his issues with injury in 1987, so Williams started seven games, going 5-2 in those games. Redskins’ coach Joe Gibbs turned to Williams in the playoffs, and he was solid in two playoff victories to get Washington to the Super Bowl.

What happened next was truly historic. Williams torched the Denver Broncos’ defense, completing 18 of 29 passes for 340 yards and four touchdowns against just one interception.

The Redskins went on to rout the Broncos 42-10, with Williams earning MVP honors. Williams also made history as the first African-American quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl, let alone win Super Bowl MVP.

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