The Super Bowl goes beyond being the highlight of the NFL season; it’s a spectacle and one of the biggest entertainment stages in the world.
But sometimes, amid the awe-inspiring plays and heart-stopping finishes, the mistakes often stick in people’s minds, turning players into either scapegoats or, in some cases, unlikely heroes.
Let’s delve into the five biggest Super Bowl blunders — moments etched into our football memories like no other.
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5. Jackie Smith’s Heartbreak – Super Bowl XIII
In a big game like the Super Bowl, you often don’t get second chances. For Jackie Smith, a Hall of Fame tight end for the Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Cardinals, Super Bowl XIII was meant to be a golden moment, defining what was a legendary career.
Instead, the game quickly turned into one to forget. The Cowboys trailed 21-14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter when Roger Staubach found Smith wide open in the end zone. The pass was flawless and everything seemed perfect, except for one thing — Smith couldn’t hold onto the ball.
He just dropped it. The Cowboys had to settle for a field goal, eventually losing to the Steelers, 35-31. Of course, had Smith caught the touchdown, the Cowboys might have hoisted the Lombardi Trophy instead of the rival Steelers.
4. Scott Norwood’s Wide Right – Super Bowl XXV
Scott Norwood of the Buffalo Bills carried a city’s hopes on his right leg as he lined up for a 47-yard field goal attempt in Super Bowl XXV.
The kick had the distance but was off target and infamously veered “wide right.” The miss resulted in a narrow 20-19 victory for the New York Giants, and it goes down as one of the biggest Super Bowl blunders of all time.
The loss marked the start of the Bills’ four straight Super Bowl appearances without a win. The hushed silence from the crowd, the disbelief among the team members, and Norwood standing alone serve as reminders of how close the line between victory and defeat can be in sports.
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3. Asante Samuel’s Missed Opportunity – Super Bowl XLII
Asante Samuel was a cornerback known for his uncanny ability to create interceptions during his career with the New England Patriots. Samuel faced a moment that could have solidified his legacy as one of the best as the Patriots were on the verge of completing a perfect 19-0 season against the New York Giants.
With the Patriots leading and time running out, Eli Manning threw a pass that Samuel had a chance to pick off and almost certainly end the game. Unfortunately, Samuel couldn’t hold onto the ball, creating one of the most heart-breaking Super Bowl blunders.
Later in the drive Manning threw a pass that bounced off the helmet of Giants wide receiver David Tyree’s helmet — now forever knowns as “The Helmet Catch” — helping New York to hold on and win Super Bowl XLII. Samuel’s near-interception became the quintessential story of what might have been.
2. Leon Lett’s premature celebration – Super Bowl XXVII
Super Bowl XXVII showcased Leon Lett, a big and lumbering defensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys who created one of the biggest Super Bowl blunders in history that ended on a happy note.
After recovering a Buffalo Bills fumble, Lett sprinted toward the end zone on his way to an easy touchdown, or so he thought. However, in a moment of celebration he casually held out the ball without noticing Bills receiver Don Beebe approaching from behind.
Before reaching the goal line, Beebe managed to slap the ball out of Lett’s grasp, turning what seemed like a touchdown into a touchback. Although the Cowboys ultimately won the game with ease, Lett’s blunder became a lesson about maintaining humility and focus until crossing the goal line.
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1. Garo Yepremian’s ill-fated pass – Super Bowl VII
The 1972 Miami Dolphins hold a special place in NFL history as the only team to achieve a perfect season after winning Super Bowl VII.
Throughout their heroic season, kicker Garo Yepremian played a huge role in their success. But in the big game, Yepremian helped create the top moment in the history of Super Bowl blunders.
After a failed attempt to block a Dolphins’ field goal left the ball on the ground, Yepremian tried to salvage the situation by picking up the ball and throwing a pass. What followed was a wounded duck of a throw that ended up right in the hands of defender Mike Bass of the Washington Redskins, who then returned it for a touchdown.
Even though Miami was able to hold on and complete a perfect season, Yepremian’s blunder has become a symbol of how unpredictable the Super Bowl can be.
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