LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 12: A general view of The Vince Lombardi Trophy and The Pete Rozelle Trophy during the Super Bowl Winning Team Head Coach and MVP Press Conference at the Mandalay Bay North Convention Center on February 12, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
There have been many great Super Bowl plays throughout history, but these five stand out among them all as the best and most memorable:
5. Manningham’s Sideline Snatch (2012)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 05: Mario Manningham #82 of the New York Giants makes a catch on the sidelines against Patrick Chung #25 (L) and Sterling Moore #29 (obscured) of the New England Patriots for a gain of 39 yards in the fourth quarter during Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
On the last drive of the game, Eli Manning and the Giants needed a score to take the lead. And a perfect throw and catch helped them get the drive going. Receiver Mario Manningham beat double coverage, hauled in a beautiful lobbed pass from Manning, and managed to keep both feet in bounds before Pats safety Patrick Chung delivered a bruising hit.
4. Malcolm Butler’s Interception (2015)
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 01: Malcolm Butler #21 of the New England Patriots intercepts a pass by Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks intended for Ricardo Lockette #83 late in the fourth quarter during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
With under 30 seconds left in the game, the Seahawks were a single yard away from winning their second Super Bowl. But a bizarre decision to call a passing play backfired disastrously. Seattle receiver Ricardo Lockette was beaten to the ball by unheralded Patriot Malcolm Butler, who made the interception to stun the world and give New England the win.
3. One Yard Short (2000)
ATLANTA – JANUARY 30: Kevin Dyson #87 of the Tennessee Titans reaches for the end zone with the ball as Mike Jones #52 of the St. Louis Rams tackles him on the last play of the game during the Super Bowl XXXIV Game at the Georgia Dome on January 30, 2000 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Rams defeated the Titans 23-16. (Photo by: Tom Hauck /Getty Images)
The Titans were in the red zone down seven, and had one play to tie the game with a touchdown against the Rams. But their miracle season ended when Rams linebacker Mike Jones tackled receiver Kevin Dyson at the 1-yard line. The textbook tackle provided one of the most dramatic endings in a Super Bowl game ever.
2. Holmes’ Toe-Tap (2009)
TAMPA, FL – FEBRUARY 01: Santonio Holmes #10 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a 6-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Steelers won the game by a score of 27-23. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Steelers needed a fourth-quarter touchdown to take the lead late against the Cardinals, and receiver Santonio Holmes provided a moment of magic. The diminutive wideout rose up over three Cardinal defenders and made a ridiculous toe-tap catch to give Pittsburgh the winning touchdown.
1. The Helmet Catch (2008)
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 3: David Tyree #85 of the New York Giants catches a pass over Rodney Harrison #37 of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII February 3, 2008 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Giants won the game 17-14. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
The Patriots were denied a perfect season because of this play. New England defensive end Jarvis Green had Eli Manning in his grasp, who managed to escape and fire the ball downfield. Backup receiver David Tyree and Pro Bowl safety Rodney Harrison were waiting for the ball, but Tyree somehow pinned the ball on his helmet with one hand to reel it in.
