Super Bowl XVIII
Encyclopedia
Super Bowl XVIII was an American football
game played on January 22, 1984, at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida
, deciding the National Football League
(NFL) champion following the 1983 regular season
. The American Football Conference
(AFC) champion Los Angeles Raiders
(15–4) defeated the National Football Conference
(NFC) champion Washington Redskins
(16–3), 38–9. The Raiders' 38 points and their 29 point margin of victory were both Super Bowl
records until Super Bowl XX
. They also outgained the Redskins in total yards 385 to 283.
The win gave the city of Los Angeles its first NFL championship since the 1951 Los Angeles Rams.
As the favored team, the Redskins' humiliating defeat at the hands of the black-jerseyed Raiders led Super Bowl XVIII to be known as "Black Sunday."
Raiders' running back
Marcus Allen
was the Super Bowl MVP
, carrying the ball 20 times for a then-record total of 191 yards and two touchdowns, including a 74–yard run in the third quarter. His 74–yard run was also a record (now 2nd to Willie Parker
's 75-yard TD run in Super Bowl XL), and his 9.6 yards per carry average was the second highest in Super Bowl history. He also caught two passes for 18 yards, giving him 209 total yards from the line of scrimmage in the game. Allen became just the third Heisman Trophy
winner to be named Super Bowl Most Valuable Player.
27–17 in Super Bowl XVII
. The Redskins finished the regular season with a 14–2 record, the best in the NFL, and their two losses were only by one point each. In addition, the Redskins set new NFL records with 541 points (since broken by the 1998 Minnesota Vikings and 2007 New England Patriots), a givaway/takaway ratio of +43, and had the top rated rush–defense.
The Redskins had a number of efficient offensive weapons. Quarterback Joe Theismann
won the NFL Most Valuable Player Award
for being second rated passer
in the league behind Steve Bartkowski
, completing 276 out of 459 (60.1 percent) of his passes for 3,714 yards, 29 touchdowns, and only 11 interceptions. He rushed for 234 yards and another touchdown. Washington's main deep threats were wide receivers Charlie Brown (78 receptions, 1,225 yards, and 8 touchdowns) and Art Monk
(47 receptions, 746 yards, and 5 touchdowns), with the latter fully healthy after the previous year's injury that caused him to miss the entire postseason. Wide receiver Alvin Garrett
, who replaced Monk during that time, emerged as a significant contributor by catching 25 passes for 332 yards. Fullback John Riggins
once again was the team's top rusher with 1,347 yards, and set a then-NFL record by scoring the most rushing touchdowns in a season (24). Multi-talented running back Joe Washington
recorded 772 rushing yards, while catching 47 passes for 454 yards and 6 touchdowns. Kicker Mark Moseley
led the NFL in scoring with 161 points, while Riggins ranked second with 144, making them the first teammates to finish a season as the NFL's top two scorers since 1951.
The Redskins defense led the league in the fewest rushing yards allowed (1,289). Pro Bowl
defensive tackle Dave Butz
recorded 11.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. On the other side of the line, defensive end Dexter Manley
recorded 11 sacks and an interception. Defensive back Mark Murphy led the NFL with 9 interceptions, while the other starters in the secondary, Vernon Dean
, Anthony Washington
and Ken Coffey
, along with rookie cornerback Darrell Green
, combined for 13 interceptions.
since moving from Oakland, California
, made it to their fourth Super Bowl in team history after posting a 12–4 regular season record. Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett
completed 230 out of 379 (60.7 percent) passes resulting in 2,935 yards and 20 touchdowns. His favorite target was tight end Todd Christensen
, who led the NFL with 92 receptions for 1,247 yards and 12 touchdowns. Wide receivers Cliff Branch
and Malcolm Barnwell
combined for 74 receptions, 1,209 yards, and 6 touchdowns. But the largest impact on offense was runningback Marcus Allen
. In just his second NFL season, Allen led the team in rushing yards (1,014) and total yards from scrimmage (1,604), while ranking second on the team in receptions (68) and touchdowns (11). But Allen was not the only key running back on the team. Kenny King
and Frank Hawkins
combined for 1,119 total rushing and receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns.
On defense, their three-man front was led by Pro Bowl
defensive linemen Howie Long
and Lyle Alzado
. The linebacking corps was led by Pro Bowlers Rod Martin
and Matt Millen
. Cornerbacks Mike Haynes (acquired in a trade from New England
) and Lester Hayes
were widely considered to be the best tandem in the NFL. The Raiders' head coach was Tom Flores
.
, 38–10, and the Seattle Seahawks
(who had beaten the Raiders twice during the regular season), 30–14. Allen had been particularly effective in the playoffs, gaining a total of 375 combined yards and scoring three touchdowns. The Raiders defense limited Seahawks running back Curt Warner
, who had led the AFC in rushing yards (1,449 yards), to just 26 yards on 11 carries.
Meanwhile, the Redskins crushed the Los Angeles Rams 51–7, and then narrowly defeated the San Francisco 49ers
, 24–21, with Mark Moseley
kicking the game winning field goal with just 40 seconds left. Mirroring the previous postseason, Riggins was a key contributor, rushing for a combined playoff total of 242 yards and five touchdowns in the two games. In doing so, Riggins extended his NFL record of consecutive playoff games with at least 100 rushing yards to six. Brown also was a key contributor in both playoff wins, recording a combined total of 11 receptions for 308 yards and a touchdown. Washington's defense was just as effective at stopping their postseason opponent's rushing attack as they had been during the regular season, limiting running backs Eric Dickerson
and Wendell Tyler
to a combined total of 60 rushing yards. Dickerson was the NFL's leading rusher with 1,808 yards and 18 touchdowns during the season, but could only gain 16 yards on 10 carries against the Redskins defense.
by CBS
and featured the broadcast team of play-by-play announcer Pat Summerall
and color commentator
John Madden. It was simulcast in Canada on CTV
and in the United Kingdom on Channel 4
.
The pregame festivities, which paid tribute to George Halas
, featured the University of Florida
Fightin' Gator Marching Band
and the Florida State University
Marching Chiefs
. After a moment of silence for Halas, Singer Barry Manilow
performed the national anthem. The coin toss
ceremony featured Pro Football Hall of Fame
fullback and defensive tackle Bronko Nagurski
.
The halftime show was a "Salute to Superstars of Silver Screen" featuring the University of Florida and Florida State University Bands.
Apple's
famous "1984" television commercial, introducing the Apple Macintosh computer and directed by Ridley Scott
, ran during a timeout in the third quarter. The advertisement changed how the Super Bowl would be used as a media advertising platform.
The highlight package to Super Bowl XVIII was voice-over artist John Facenda
's final project for NFL Films
. Facenda died eight months after the game. An expanded version of Black Sunday (the highight film's title) has appeared on NFL's Greatest Games
and contains an additional hour of game footage plus audio play-by-play from Bill King
and Rich Marotta
while retaining Facenda's narration.
Following the game, CBS aired the pilot episode of Airwolf
.
' punt deep in Washington territory and recovered the ball in the end zone to give the Raiders a 7-0 lead. On their ensuing drive, Washington was forced to punt, but Los Angeles punt returner Ted Watts
muffed the catch and Washington safety Greg Williams recovered the ball at the Raiders 42-yard line. However, the Redskins could only advance to the Raider's 27-yard line and came away with no points after kicker Mark Moseley
missed a 44-yard field goal attempt.
Early in the second quarter, Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett
completed a 50-yard pass to wide receiver Cliff Branch
, advancing the ball to the Redskins' 15-yard line. Two plays later, Plunkett threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Branch, increasing the lead to 14-0. Cliff Branch became just the fourth player to catch a touchdown in two different Super Bowls.
On their next drive, the Redskins moved the ball 73 yards in 12 plays to the Raiders 7-yard line, with Joe Theismann
completing a 17-yard pass to receiver Alvin Garrett
and three passes to tight end Clint Didier
for 50 yards. However, linebacker Rod Martin
broke up Theismann's third down pass attempt, forcing Washington to settle for a 24-yard field goal by Moseley. Los Angeles took the ensuing kickoff and drove 41 yards to the Redskins 39-yard line. The drive stalled when Plunkett's third down pass fell incomplete, but Ray Guy
's 27-yard punt pinned Washington back at their own 12-yard line with 12 seconds left in the half. On the first play of their drive, Coach Joe Gibbs
had Theismann run a screen play called "Rocket Screen", but Raiders linebacker Jack Squirek
intercepted the pass and returned it for a touchdown to give the Raiders a 21-3 halftime lead. The defense was prepared for the play, as Theismann had successfully completed an identical screen pass to Joe Washington
for a 67-yard gain in their 37-35 victory over the Raiders on October 2. In fact, Los Angeles linebackers coach Charlie Sumner had sent Squirek onto the field as a last second substitution specifically to cover Washington. "I was mad," said linebacker Matt Millen
, who had to run off the field to avoid a penalty. "I'd called a blitz, and I was cranked up for it, but he told Jack to play the screen and sent him in. I guess Charlie knows what he's doing, huh?"
The Redskins regrouped in the second half and scored on their opening drive by marching 70 yards in nine plays. First, Garrett returned the opening kickoff 35 yards from 5 yards deep in the end zone to the Washington 30-yard line. Then, Theismann completed a 23-yard pass to receiver Charlie Brown to the Raiders' 47-yard line. Eight plays later, fullback John Riggins
finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. (Riggins became the second player to run for touchdowns in back-to-back Super Bowls. He had one in Super Bowl XVII
en route to winning that game's Super Bowl MVP). Moseley's extra point attempt was blocked by reserve tight end Don Hasselbeck
, but the Redskins had cut the score to 21-9 and were just two touchdowns away from taking the lead.
However, the Raiders completely took over the rest of the game, preventing any chance of a Washington comeback. On the ensuing drive, Washington defensive back Darrell Green
was called for a 38-yard pass interference penalty while trying to cover Raiders receiver Malcolm Barnwell
, setting up running back Marcus Allen
's 5-yard touchdown run 7 plays later to make the score 28-9. Late in the third quarter, the Redskins had an opportunity to score after defensive back Anthony Washington
forced and recovered a fumble from Branch at the Raiders 35-yard line. They moved the ball nine yards in their next three plays, and then faced fourth down and one. Washington attempted to convert the fourth down with a run by Riggins, just like their successful fourth down conversion against the Miami Dolphins
in the previous Super Bowl. But this time, Riggins was tackled by Martin for no gain.
On the next play, the last play of the third quarter, Plunkett handed the ball off to Allen, who started to run left as the play was designed. But after taking an unusually wide turn in that direction, Allen saw a lot of defenders in front of him and cut back to the middle before taking off for a then-Super Bowl record 74-yard touchdown run, increasing Los Angeles' lead to 35-9. This play would later be immortalized by one of the last great lines from John Facenda
who said, "Here comes Marcus Allen, running with the night."
In the final period, the Raiders sacked Theismann three times, forcing him to fumble once, and intercepted a pass. Meanwhile, a 39-yard run from Allen set up a 21-yard field goal from kicker Chris Bahr
to make the final score of the game 38-9.
Plunkett finished the game with 16 out of 25 pass completions for 172 yards and a touchdown. Theismann threw for more yards then Plunkett (243), but was just 16 out of 35 and was intercepted twice. He was also sacked six times. Branch was the top receiver of the game with six receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown. Guy punted seven times for 299 yards (42.7 average), with 244 net yards (34.8 average) and planted five of his seven punts in the 20. Martin recorded a sack, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery. Riggins was the leading rusher for the Redskins with 64 yards and a touchdown. Brown was their top receiver with three receptions for 93 yards. Tight end Clint Didier
caught five passes for 65 yards. Garrett recorded 100 yards on kickoff returns, and one reception for 17 yards.
After the game, Redskins general manager Bobby Beathard
said that Hayes and Haynes were the difference in the game. Haynes was still a Patriot during the teams' regular season matchup, and his addition gave the Raiders two shutdown corners. According to Beathard, Hayes and Haynes "changed our whole game plan." Hayes had only one tackle, but had the left side of the field covered so effectively that Theismann hardly bothered to throw there. Haynes had two tackles, one interception, and two pass breakups.
The Raiders were the first team to appear in, and win, the Super Bowl representing two different cities. They were also the first team to score an offensive, defensive and special teams touchdown in the same Super Bowl. The Redskins became the second defending champion to lose a Super Bowl (their divisional rivals, the Dallas Cowboys
, were the first, losing Super Bowl XIII
after winning Super Bowl XII
).
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
game played on January 22, 1984, at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
, deciding the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL) champion following the 1983 regular season
1983 NFL season
The 1983 NFL season was the 64th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XVIII when the Los Angeles Raiders defeated the Washington Redskins.-Major rule changes:...
. The American Football Conference
American Football Conference
The American Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the National Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL....
(AFC) champion Los Angeles Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(15–4) defeated the National Football Conference
National Football Conference
The National Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the American Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL.-Current teams:Since 2002, the NFC has comprised 16 teams,...
(NFC) champion Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
(16–3), 38–9. The Raiders' 38 points and their 29 point margin of victory were both Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
records until Super Bowl XX
Super Bowl XX
Super Bowl XX was an American football championship game played on January 26, 1986 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1985 regular season...
. They also outgained the Redskins in total yards 385 to 283.
The win gave the city of Los Angeles its first NFL championship since the 1951 Los Angeles Rams.
As the favored team, the Redskins' humiliating defeat at the hands of the black-jerseyed Raiders led Super Bowl XVIII to be known as "Black Sunday."
Raiders' running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Marcus Allen
Marcus Allen
Marcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
was the Super Bowl MVP
Super Bowl MVP
The Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award, or Super Bowl MVP, is an award presented annually to the most valuable player of the Super Bowl, the National Football League's championship game. The winner is chosen by a fan vote during the game and by a panel of 16 American football writers and...
, carrying the ball 20 times for a then-record total of 191 yards and two touchdowns, including a 74–yard run in the third quarter. His 74–yard run was also a record (now 2nd to Willie Parker
Willie Parker
"Fast" Willie Everette Parker Jr. is an American football running back for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at North Carolina...
's 75-yard TD run in Super Bowl XL), and his 9.6 yards per carry average was the second highest in Super Bowl history. He also caught two passes for 18 yards, giving him 209 total yards from the line of scrimmage in the game. Allen became just the third Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner to be named Super Bowl Most Valuable Player.
Background
NFL owners voted to award Super Bowl XVIII to Tampa on June 3, 1981. This was first time Tampa hosted the game, making it the first Super Bowl to be played in Florida in a city other than Miami.Washington Redskins
The Redskins entered the game appearing to be even better than the previous season when they defeated the Miami DolphinsMiami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
27–17 in Super Bowl XVII
Super Bowl XVII
Super Bowl XVII was an American football game played on January 30, 1983 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to decide the National Football League champion following the strike-shortened 1982 regular season...
. The Redskins finished the regular season with a 14–2 record, the best in the NFL, and their two losses were only by one point each. In addition, the Redskins set new NFL records with 541 points (since broken by the 1998 Minnesota Vikings and 2007 New England Patriots), a givaway/takaway ratio of +43, and had the top rated rush–defense.
The Redskins had a number of efficient offensive weapons. Quarterback Joe Theismann
Joe Theismann
Joseph Robert "Joe" Theismann is a former quarterback in the National Football League and Canadian Football League . He achieved his most enduring fame in his 12 seasons playing for the Washington Redskins, where he was a two-time Pro Bowler and quarterback of the winning team in Super Bowl XVII...
won the NFL Most Valuable Player Award
NFL Most Valuable Player Award
The National Football League Most Valuable Player Award is given by various entities, most notably the Associated Press , to the player who is considered most valuable in the league. When the award is referred to without mentioning the organization, it generally means the AP award. The AP NFL MVP...
for being second rated passer
Passer rating
Passer rating is a measure of the performance of quarterbacks or any other passers in American football and Canadian football. There are at least two formulae currently in use: one officially used by the National Football League and the Canadian Football League, and one used in college football...
in the league behind Steve Bartkowski
Steve Bartkowski
Steven Joseph "Steve" Bartkowski is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League who played for the Atlanta Falcons and the Los Angeles Rams...
, completing 276 out of 459 (60.1 percent) of his passes for 3,714 yards, 29 touchdowns, and only 11 interceptions. He rushed for 234 yards and another touchdown. Washington's main deep threats were wide receivers Charlie Brown (78 receptions, 1,225 yards, and 8 touchdowns) and Art Monk
Art Monk
James Arthur "Art" Monk is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, New York Jets, and the Philadelphia Eagles...
(47 receptions, 746 yards, and 5 touchdowns), with the latter fully healthy after the previous year's injury that caused him to miss the entire postseason. Wide receiver Alvin Garrett
Alvin Garrett
Alvin Lynn Garrett is a former American football wide receiver who played five seasons for the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins from 1980 to 1984...
, who replaced Monk during that time, emerged as a significant contributor by catching 25 passes for 332 yards. Fullback John Riggins
John Riggins
Robert John Riggins, nicknamed "The Diesel", is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the New York Jets and Washington Redskins. Riggins was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992....
once again was the team's top rusher with 1,347 yards, and set a then-NFL record by scoring the most rushing touchdowns in a season (24). Multi-talented running back Joe Washington
Joe Washington
Joe Dan Washington, Jr is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Colts, Washington Redskins, and Atlanta Falcons.-Early career:...
recorded 772 rushing yards, while catching 47 passes for 454 yards and 6 touchdowns. Kicker Mark Moseley
Mark Moseley
Mark DeWayne Moseley is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League who played for the Philadelphia Eagles , the Houston Oilers , the Washington Redskins , and the Cleveland Browns . He won the Most Valuable Player Award during the strike-shortened 1982 season...
led the NFL in scoring with 161 points, while Riggins ranked second with 144, making them the first teammates to finish a season as the NFL's top two scorers since 1951.
The Redskins defense led the league in the fewest rushing yards allowed (1,289). Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
defensive tackle Dave Butz
Dave Butz
David Butz is a former American Football defensive lineman in the National Football League who played for the St...
recorded 11.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. On the other side of the line, defensive end Dexter Manley
Dexter Manley
Dexter Keith Manley, nicknamed the "Secretary of Defense" is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Phoenix Cardinals, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an eleven-year career from 1981 to 1991. He also played in the Canadian Football...
recorded 11 sacks and an interception. Defensive back Mark Murphy led the NFL with 9 interceptions, while the other starters in the secondary, Vernon Dean
Vernon Dean
Wellington Vernon Dean is a former professional American football cornerback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks...
, Anthony Washington
Anthony Washington (football player)
Anthony Wayne Washington is a former professional American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He played college football at Fresno State University and was drafted in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft. Washington started...
and Ken Coffey
Ken Coffey
Kenneth Eugene Coffey is a former professional American football defensive back who played safety for four seasons for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League...
, along with rookie cornerback Darrell Green
Darrell Green
Darrell Ray Green is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League who played for the Washington Redskins from 1983 to 2002. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest cornerbacks to ever play football...
, combined for 13 interceptions.
Los Angeles Raiders
The Raiders, in their second season in Los AngelesLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
since moving from Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
, made it to their fourth Super Bowl in team history after posting a 12–4 regular season record. Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett
Jim Plunkett
James William "Jim" Plunkett is a former American football quarterback who played college football for Stanford University, where he won the Heisman Trophy, and professionally for three National Football League teams: the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers and Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. ...
completed 230 out of 379 (60.7 percent) passes resulting in 2,935 yards and 20 touchdowns. His favorite target was tight end Todd Christensen
Todd Christensen
Todd Jay Christensen is a former professional American football player and a current sports broadcaster for the MountainWest Sports Network.-Early life:...
, who led the NFL with 92 receptions for 1,247 yards and 12 touchdowns. Wide receivers Cliff Branch
Cliff Branch
Cliff Branch is a retired American football wide receiver who spent his entire 14-year NFL career with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, winning three Super Bowl rings in Super Bowl XI, Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII...
and Malcolm Barnwell
Malcolm Barnwell
Malcolm Barnwell is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for five seasons for the Washington Redskins, the New Orleans Saints and the Oakland Raiders. His best season was 1984, when he totaled 45 receptions for 851 yards, a 18.9 avg. and two touchdowns, all...
combined for 74 receptions, 1,209 yards, and 6 touchdowns. But the largest impact on offense was runningback Marcus Allen
Marcus Allen
Marcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
. In just his second NFL season, Allen led the team in rushing yards (1,014) and total yards from scrimmage (1,604), while ranking second on the team in receptions (68) and touchdowns (11). But Allen was not the only key running back on the team. Kenny King
Kenny King (running back)
Kenneth Leon King is a former American football running back who played seven seasons in the National Football League, mainly with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. He was a starter for the Raiders in Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII....
and Frank Hawkins
Frank Hawkins
Frank Hawkins, Jr. is a former professional football player, a running back who played seven seasons in the NFL with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, from 1981 to 1987.-Football career:...
combined for 1,119 total rushing and receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns.
On defense, their three-man front was led by Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
defensive linemen Howie Long
Howie Long
Howard "Howie" Matthew Moses Long is an American former National Football League defensive end and actor. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000...
and Lyle Alzado
Lyle Alzado
Lyle Martin Alzado was a professional American football defensive lineman of the National Football League famous for his intense and intimidating style of play....
. The linebacking corps was led by Pro Bowlers Rod Martin
Rod Martin
Rod Martin is a retired National Football League linebacker who played for the Los Angeles and Oakland Raiders from 1977 to 1988.-College career:...
and Matt Millen
Matt Millen
Matthew George "Matt" Millen is an American former National Football League linebacker and a former executive. Millen played for the Oakland Raiders, the San Francisco 49ers and the Washington Redskins. In Millen's 12-year NFL playing career, he played on four Super Bowl-winning teams...
. Cornerbacks Mike Haynes (acquired in a trade from New England
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
) and Lester Hayes
Lester Hayes
Lester Hayes is a former professional American football player for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League....
were widely considered to be the best tandem in the NFL. The Raiders' head coach was Tom Flores
Tom Flores
Thomas R. "Tom" Flores is a retired American football quarterback and coach. Flores and Mike Ditka are the only two people in the National Football League history to win a Super Bowl as a player, as an assistant coach, and as a head coach...
.
Playoffs
The Raiders only allowed a combined total of 24 points in their playoff victories over the Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
, 38–10, and the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
(who had beaten the Raiders twice during the regular season), 30–14. Allen had been particularly effective in the playoffs, gaining a total of 375 combined yards and scoring three touchdowns. The Raiders defense limited Seahawks running back Curt Warner
Curt Warner
Curtis Edward Warner is a former professional American football running back. A two-time All-American at Penn State University, Warner was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft...
, who had led the AFC in rushing yards (1,449 yards), to just 26 yards on 11 carries.
Meanwhile, the Redskins crushed the Los Angeles Rams 51–7, and then narrowly defeated the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, 24–21, with Mark Moseley
Mark Moseley
Mark DeWayne Moseley is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League who played for the Philadelphia Eagles , the Houston Oilers , the Washington Redskins , and the Cleveland Browns . He won the Most Valuable Player Award during the strike-shortened 1982 season...
kicking the game winning field goal with just 40 seconds left. Mirroring the previous postseason, Riggins was a key contributor, rushing for a combined playoff total of 242 yards and five touchdowns in the two games. In doing so, Riggins extended his NFL record of consecutive playoff games with at least 100 rushing yards to six. Brown also was a key contributor in both playoff wins, recording a combined total of 11 receptions for 308 yards and a touchdown. Washington's defense was just as effective at stopping their postseason opponent's rushing attack as they had been during the regular season, limiting running backs Eric Dickerson
Eric Dickerson
Eric Demetric Dickerson is a former professional running back in the National Football League who in his career played for the Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons.-College career:...
and Wendell Tyler
Wendell Tyler
Wendell Avery Tyler , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 3rd round of the 1977 NFL Draft. A 5'10", 198 lbs...
to a combined total of 60 rushing yards. Dickerson was the NFL's leading rusher with 1,808 yards and 18 touchdowns during the season, but could only gain 16 yards on 10 carries against the Redskins defense.
Super Bowl pregame news
Coming into Super Bowl XVIII, the Redskins were favored to win because of their offense, their number one-rated rush–defense, their league best 14–2 regular season record, and their Super Bowl win from last season. Also, the Redskins had defeated the Raiders during an October 2 regular season game, 37–35, by scoring 17 points in the final six minutes of the game.Television and entertainment
The game was broadcast in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
and featured the broadcast team of play-by-play announcer Pat Summerall
Pat Summerall
George Allen "Pat" Summerall is a former American football player and television sportscaster, having worked at CBS, Fox, and ESPN.Summerall is best known for his work with John Madden on NFL telecasts for CBS and Fox.-High school:...
and color commentator
Color commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
John Madden. It was simulcast in Canada on CTV
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
and in the United Kingdom on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
.
The pregame festivities, which paid tribute to George Halas
George Halas
George Stanley Halas, Sr. , nicknamed "Papa Bear" and "Mr. Everything", was a player, coach, owner and pioneer in professional American football. He was the iconic longtime leader of the NFL's Chicago Bears...
, featured the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
Fightin' Gator Marching Band
The Pride of the Sunshine
The University of Florida Fightin' Gator Marching Band, also known as The Pride of the Sunshine, is the official marching band for the University of Florida. They play at every Florida Gators home football game in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and also performs at various other events such as pep...
and the Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
Marching Chiefs
Marching Chiefs
Since 1949, the name Marching Chiefs has served as the official title of the marching band of The Florida State University. The Marching Chiefs is the largest college marching band in the world with approximately 470 members.-History:...
. After a moment of silence for Halas, Singer Barry Manilow
Barry Manilow
Barry Manilow is an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, and performer, best known for such recordings as "Could It Be Magic", "Mandy", "Can't Smile Without You", and "Copacabana ."...
performed the national anthem. The coin toss
Coin flipping
Coin flipping or coin tossing or heads or tails is the practice of throwing a coin in the air to choose between two alternatives, sometimes to resolve a dispute between two parties...
ceremony featured Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
fullback and defensive tackle Bronko Nagurski
Bronko Nagurski
Bronislau "Bronko" Nagurski was a Canadian-born American football player. He was also a successful professional wrestler, recognized as a multiple-time world heavyweight champion.-Youth and collegiate career:...
.
The halftime show was a "Salute to Superstars of Silver Screen" featuring the University of Florida and Florida State University Bands.
Apple's
Apple Computer
Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation that designs and markets consumer electronics, computer software, and personal computers. The company's best-known hardware products include the Macintosh line of computers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad...
famous "1984" television commercial, introducing the Apple Macintosh computer and directed by Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott
Sir Ridley Scott is an English film director and producer. His most famous films include The Duellists , Alien , Blade Runner , Legend , Thelma & Louise , G. I...
, ran during a timeout in the third quarter. The advertisement changed how the Super Bowl would be used as a media advertising platform.
The highlight package to Super Bowl XVIII was voice-over artist John Facenda
John Facenda
John Thomas Ralph Augustine James Facenda was an American broadcaster and sports announcer. He was a fixture on Philadelphia radio and television for decades, and achieved national fame as a narrator for NFL Films and Football Follies...
's final project for NFL Films
NFL Films
NFL Films is a Mount Laurel, New Jersey-based company devoted to producing commercials, television programs, feature films, and documentaries on the National Football League, as well as other unrelated major events and awards shows...
. Facenda died eight months after the game. An expanded version of Black Sunday (the highight film's title) has appeared on NFL's Greatest Games
NFL's Greatest Games
NFL's Greatest Games is a series of 90-minute television programs that air on NFL Network, ESPN and related networks. They are condensed versions of some of the most famous games in the history of the National Football League, using footage and sound captured by NFL Films, as well as original...
and contains an additional hour of game footage plus audio play-by-play from Bill King
Bill King
* For the British author and games designer see, William King * For the British naval officer, yachtsman and author, see Commander Bill King*For the Australian rugby league footballer, see Bill King ...
and Rich Marotta
Rich Marotta
Rich Marotta is an American sportscaster in Los Angeles, California. He was the color analyst for the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL alongside Bob Miller, the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders of the NFL, and Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA. He currently calls boxing on Fox Sports Net television, pay per...
while retaining Facenda's narration.
Following the game, CBS aired the pilot episode of Airwolf
Airwolf
Airwolf is an American television series that ran from 1984 until 1987. The program centers on a high-tech military helicopter, code named Airwolf, and its crew as they undertake various missions, many involving espionage, with a Cold War theme....
.
Game summary
During the first half the Raiders scored on offense, defense and special teams, becoming the first team to score two non-offensive touchdowns in a Super Bowl. Less than five minutes into the game, Los Angeles' Derrick Jensen blocked Jeff HayesJeff Hayes
Jeffrey Clyde Hayes is a former American football punter in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Miami Dolphins. He played in Super Bowl XVII and XVIII for the Washington Redskins. Hayes played college football at the University of North Carolina...
' punt deep in Washington territory and recovered the ball in the end zone to give the Raiders a 7-0 lead. On their ensuing drive, Washington was forced to punt, but Los Angeles punt returner Ted Watts
Ted Watts
Ted W. Watts is a former American football player. He was the cornerback of the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, New York Giants, and the San Diego Chargers. Collegiately, he played for the Texas Tech Red Raiders....
muffed the catch and Washington safety Greg Williams recovered the ball at the Raiders 42-yard line. However, the Redskins could only advance to the Raider's 27-yard line and came away with no points after kicker Mark Moseley
Mark Moseley
Mark DeWayne Moseley is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League who played for the Philadelphia Eagles , the Houston Oilers , the Washington Redskins , and the Cleveland Browns . He won the Most Valuable Player Award during the strike-shortened 1982 season...
missed a 44-yard field goal attempt.
Early in the second quarter, Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett
Jim Plunkett
James William "Jim" Plunkett is a former American football quarterback who played college football for Stanford University, where he won the Heisman Trophy, and professionally for three National Football League teams: the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers and Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. ...
completed a 50-yard pass to wide receiver Cliff Branch
Cliff Branch
Cliff Branch is a retired American football wide receiver who spent his entire 14-year NFL career with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, winning three Super Bowl rings in Super Bowl XI, Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII...
, advancing the ball to the Redskins' 15-yard line. Two plays later, Plunkett threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Branch, increasing the lead to 14-0. Cliff Branch became just the fourth player to catch a touchdown in two different Super Bowls.
On their next drive, the Redskins moved the ball 73 yards in 12 plays to the Raiders 7-yard line, with Joe Theismann
Joe Theismann
Joseph Robert "Joe" Theismann is a former quarterback in the National Football League and Canadian Football League . He achieved his most enduring fame in his 12 seasons playing for the Washington Redskins, where he was a two-time Pro Bowler and quarterback of the winning team in Super Bowl XVII...
completing a 17-yard pass to receiver Alvin Garrett
Alvin Garrett
Alvin Lynn Garrett is a former American football wide receiver who played five seasons for the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins from 1980 to 1984...
and three passes to tight end Clint Didier
Clint Didier
Clint Bradley Didier is a former professional American football player. He was a tight end in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins from 1982 to 1987 and for the Green Bay Packers from 1988 to 1989...
for 50 yards. However, linebacker Rod Martin
Rod Martin
Rod Martin is a retired National Football League linebacker who played for the Los Angeles and Oakland Raiders from 1977 to 1988.-College career:...
broke up Theismann's third down pass attempt, forcing Washington to settle for a 24-yard field goal by Moseley. Los Angeles took the ensuing kickoff and drove 41 yards to the Redskins 39-yard line. The drive stalled when Plunkett's third down pass fell incomplete, but Ray Guy
Ray Guy
William Ray Guy is a retired American football punter for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. Coming from the University of Southern Mississippi, he was the only pure punter ever to be drafted in the first round of the NFL draft when the Oakland Raiders selected him in 1973.Guy was a key member of...
's 27-yard punt pinned Washington back at their own 12-yard line with 12 seconds left in the half. On the first play of their drive, Coach Joe Gibbs
Joe Gibbs
Joe Jackson Gibbs is a former American football coach, NASCAR Championship team owner, and two time NHRA Pro Stock team owner. He was the 20th and 26th head coach in the history of the Washington Redskins...
had Theismann run a screen play called "Rocket Screen", but Raiders linebacker Jack Squirek
Jack Squirek
Jack Steve Squirek is a former professional American football linebacker in the NFL who played for the Los Angeles Raiders from 1982 to 1986 and for the Miami Dolphins in 1986.-Career Highlights:...
intercepted the pass and returned it for a touchdown to give the Raiders a 21-3 halftime lead. The defense was prepared for the play, as Theismann had successfully completed an identical screen pass to Joe Washington
Joe Washington
Joe Dan Washington, Jr is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Colts, Washington Redskins, and Atlanta Falcons.-Early career:...
for a 67-yard gain in their 37-35 victory over the Raiders on October 2. In fact, Los Angeles linebackers coach Charlie Sumner had sent Squirek onto the field as a last second substitution specifically to cover Washington. "I was mad," said linebacker Matt Millen
Matt Millen
Matthew George "Matt" Millen is an American former National Football League linebacker and a former executive. Millen played for the Oakland Raiders, the San Francisco 49ers and the Washington Redskins. In Millen's 12-year NFL playing career, he played on four Super Bowl-winning teams...
, who had to run off the field to avoid a penalty. "I'd called a blitz, and I was cranked up for it, but he told Jack to play the screen and sent him in. I guess Charlie knows what he's doing, huh?"
The Redskins regrouped in the second half and scored on their opening drive by marching 70 yards in nine plays. First, Garrett returned the opening kickoff 35 yards from 5 yards deep in the end zone to the Washington 30-yard line. Then, Theismann completed a 23-yard pass to receiver Charlie Brown to the Raiders' 47-yard line. Eight plays later, fullback John Riggins
John Riggins
Robert John Riggins, nicknamed "The Diesel", is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the New York Jets and Washington Redskins. Riggins was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992....
finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. (Riggins became the second player to run for touchdowns in back-to-back Super Bowls. He had one in Super Bowl XVII
Super Bowl XVII
Super Bowl XVII was an American football game played on January 30, 1983 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to decide the National Football League champion following the strike-shortened 1982 regular season...
en route to winning that game's Super Bowl MVP). Moseley's extra point attempt was blocked by reserve tight end Don Hasselbeck
Don Hasselbeck
Donald William "Don" Hasselbeck is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League for the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, and the New York Giants....
, but the Redskins had cut the score to 21-9 and were just two touchdowns away from taking the lead.
However, the Raiders completely took over the rest of the game, preventing any chance of a Washington comeback. On the ensuing drive, Washington defensive back Darrell Green
Darrell Green
Darrell Ray Green is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League who played for the Washington Redskins from 1983 to 2002. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest cornerbacks to ever play football...
was called for a 38-yard pass interference penalty while trying to cover Raiders receiver Malcolm Barnwell
Malcolm Barnwell
Malcolm Barnwell is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for five seasons for the Washington Redskins, the New Orleans Saints and the Oakland Raiders. His best season was 1984, when he totaled 45 receptions for 851 yards, a 18.9 avg. and two touchdowns, all...
, setting up running back Marcus Allen
Marcus Allen
Marcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
's 5-yard touchdown run 7 plays later to make the score 28-9. Late in the third quarter, the Redskins had an opportunity to score after defensive back Anthony Washington
Anthony Washington (football player)
Anthony Wayne Washington is a former professional American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He played college football at Fresno State University and was drafted in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft. Washington started...
forced and recovered a fumble from Branch at the Raiders 35-yard line. They moved the ball nine yards in their next three plays, and then faced fourth down and one. Washington attempted to convert the fourth down with a run by Riggins, just like their successful fourth down conversion against the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the previous Super Bowl. But this time, Riggins was tackled by Martin for no gain.
On the next play, the last play of the third quarter, Plunkett handed the ball off to Allen, who started to run left as the play was designed. But after taking an unusually wide turn in that direction, Allen saw a lot of defenders in front of him and cut back to the middle before taking off for a then-Super Bowl record 74-yard touchdown run, increasing Los Angeles' lead to 35-9. This play would later be immortalized by one of the last great lines from John Facenda
John Facenda
John Thomas Ralph Augustine James Facenda was an American broadcaster and sports announcer. He was a fixture on Philadelphia radio and television for decades, and achieved national fame as a narrator for NFL Films and Football Follies...
who said, "Here comes Marcus Allen, running with the night."
In the final period, the Raiders sacked Theismann three times, forcing him to fumble once, and intercepted a pass. Meanwhile, a 39-yard run from Allen set up a 21-yard field goal from kicker Chris Bahr
Chris Bahr
Chris Bahr is a former professional American football and soccer player. He was a placekicker in the National Football League and played midfielder in the North American Soccer League.-Soccer:...
to make the final score of the game 38-9.
Plunkett finished the game with 16 out of 25 pass completions for 172 yards and a touchdown. Theismann threw for more yards then Plunkett (243), but was just 16 out of 35 and was intercepted twice. He was also sacked six times. Branch was the top receiver of the game with six receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown. Guy punted seven times for 299 yards (42.7 average), with 244 net yards (34.8 average) and planted five of his seven punts in the 20. Martin recorded a sack, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery. Riggins was the leading rusher for the Redskins with 64 yards and a touchdown. Brown was their top receiver with three receptions for 93 yards. Tight end Clint Didier
Clint Didier
Clint Bradley Didier is a former professional American football player. He was a tight end in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins from 1982 to 1987 and for the Green Bay Packers from 1988 to 1989...
caught five passes for 65 yards. Garrett recorded 100 yards on kickoff returns, and one reception for 17 yards.
After the game, Redskins general manager Bobby Beathard
Bobby Beathard
Bobby Beathard is a former general manager in the National Football League. Over the course of his 38 years in the NFL, his teams competed in seven Super Bowls , beginning with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1966, Miami Dolphins in 1972 and 1973, Washington Redskins in 1982, 1983, and 1987, and the San...
said that Hayes and Haynes were the difference in the game. Haynes was still a Patriot during the teams' regular season matchup, and his addition gave the Raiders two shutdown corners. According to Beathard, Hayes and Haynes "changed our whole game plan." Hayes had only one tackle, but had the left side of the field covered so effectively that Theismann hardly bothered to throw there. Haynes had two tackles, one interception, and two pass breakups.
The Raiders were the first team to appear in, and win, the Super Bowl representing two different cities. They were also the first team to score an offensive, defensive and special teams touchdown in the same Super Bowl. The Redskins became the second defending champion to lose a Super Bowl (their divisional rivals, the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
, were the first, losing Super Bowl XIII
Super Bowl XIII
Super Bowl XIII was an American football game played on January 21, 1979 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida to decide the National Football League champion following the 1978 regular season...
after winning Super Bowl XII
Super Bowl XII
Super Bowl XII was an American football game played on January 15, 1978 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1977 regular season...
).
Box score
Starting lineups
| L.A. Raiders | Position | Position | Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| OFFENSE | |||
| Cliff Branch Cliff Branch Cliff Branch is a retired American football wide receiver who spent his entire 14-year NFL career with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, winning three Super Bowl rings in Super Bowl XI, Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII... |
WR | Art Monk Art Monk James Arthur "Art" Monk is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, New York Jets, and the Philadelphia Eagles... |
|
| Bruce Davis Bruce Davis (offensive tackle) Bruce Davis is a former professional American football offensive tackle. He played in the National Football League for 11 seasons with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders and the Houston Oilers... |
LT | Joe Jacoby Joe Jacoby Joseph Erwin Jacoby is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins... |
|
| Charley Hannah Charley Hannah Charley Hannah is a former American football offensive guard and defensive end who played in the National Football League from 1977 to 1988. Charley played six years for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and six years for the Los Angeles Raiders... |
LG | Russ Grimm Russ Grimm Russell Scott Grimm is a former American football guard for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. As a collegian, he was an All-American center at the University of Pittsburgh. As a professional, Grimm had multi-selections to both the All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams, and was... |
|
| Dave Dalby Dave Dalby David Merle Dalby was a former American football center.-College:Dalby played for UCLA, where he became part of their All-Century team as center... |
C | Jeff Bostic Jeff Bostic Jeffrey Lynn Bostic is a former American football offensive lineman who played for the Washington Redskins in the National Football League.-College career:... |
|
| Mickey Marvin Mickey Marvin Mickey Marvin is a former professional American football player. After attending the University of Tennessee, Marvin played in the National Football League for 11 seasons, from 1977 to 1987, as an offensive guard with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders... |
RG | Mark May Mark May Mark Eric May is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League. He is currently a football analyst for ESPN.-Football career:... |
|
| Henry Lawrence Henry Lawrence (American football) Henry Lawrence is a former professional American football player. A two-time Pro Bowler, he played in the National Football League for 13 seasons as an offensive tackle with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders... |
RT | George Starke George Starke George Lawrence Starke is a former American football offensive lineman who played for the Washington Redskins in the National Football League from 1972-84.... |
|
| Todd Christensen Todd Christensen Todd Jay Christensen is a former professional American football player and a current sports broadcaster for the MountainWest Sports Network.-Early life:... |
TE | Don Warren Don Warren Donald James Warren is a former American football tight end, who spent his entire 14 year career playing for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League... |
|
| Malcolm Barnwell Malcolm Barnwell Malcolm Barnwell is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for five seasons for the Washington Redskins, the New Orleans Saints and the Oakland Raiders. His best season was 1984, when he totaled 45 receptions for 851 yards, a 18.9 avg. and two touchdowns, all... |
WR | Charlie Brown | |
| Jim Plunkett Jim Plunkett James William "Jim" Plunkett is a former American football quarterback who played college football for Stanford University, where he won the Heisman Trophy, and professionally for three National Football League teams: the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers and Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. ... |
QB | Joe Theismann Joe Theismann Joseph Robert "Joe" Theismann is a former quarterback in the National Football League and Canadian Football League . He achieved his most enduring fame in his 12 seasons playing for the Washington Redskins, where he was a two-time Pro Bowler and quarterback of the winning team in Super Bowl XVII... |
|
| Kenny King Kenny King (running back) Kenneth Leon King is a former American football running back who played seven seasons in the National Football League, mainly with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. He was a starter for the Raiders in Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII.... |
RB | John Riggins John Riggins Robert John Riggins, nicknamed "The Diesel", is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the New York Jets and Washington Redskins. Riggins was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.... |
|
| Marcus Allen Marcus Allen Marcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997... |
RB | TE | Rick Walker Rick Walker Richard "Doc" Walker is a former American football tight end in the National Football League, who played for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Washington Redskins... |
| DEFENSE | |||
| Howie Long Howie Long Howard "Howie" Matthew Moses Long is an American former National Football League defensive end and actor. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000... |
LE | Todd Liebenstein Todd Liebenstein Todd E. Liebenstein is a former American football defensive end who played four seasons in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and started in Super Bowl XVIII. He played college football at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.... |
|
| Reggie Kinlaw Reggie Kinlaw Reggie Kinlaw Reggie Kinlaw Reggie Kinlaw (born January 9, 1957 is a former American football defensive tackle who played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners and for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders in the National Football League. He graduated from Miami Springs Senior High School.... |
NT | LDT | Dave Butz Dave Butz David Butz is a former American Football defensive lineman in the National Football League who played for the St... |
| Lyle Alzado Lyle Alzado Lyle Martin Alzado was a professional American football defensive lineman of the National Football League famous for his intense and intimidating style of play.... |
RE | RDT | Darryl Grant Darryl Grant Darryl Baris Grant is a former professional American football player who played defensive tackle for eleven seasons for the Washington Redskins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He played college football at Rice University.Grant was drafted by the Redskins in the ninth... |
| Ted Hendricks Ted Hendricks Theodore Paul Hendricks is a Hall of Fame former American football linebacker who logged 15 seasons for the Baltimore Colts , the Green Bay Packers and the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders in the National Football League... |
LOLB | RE | Dexter Manley Dexter Manley Dexter Keith Manley, nicknamed the "Secretary of Defense" is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Phoenix Cardinals, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an eleven-year career from 1981 to 1991. He also played in the Canadian Football... |
| Matt Millen Matt Millen Matthew George "Matt" Millen is an American former National Football League linebacker and a former executive. Millen played for the Oakland Raiders, the San Francisco 49ers and the Washington Redskins. In Millen's 12-year NFL playing career, he played on four Super Bowl-winning teams... |
LILB | LOLB | Mel Kaufman Mel Kaufman Melvin Kaufman was an American football linebacker in the National Football League who played his entire eight-year career with the Washington Redskins... |
| Bob Nelson | RILB | MLB | Neal Olkewicz Neal Olkewicz Neal T. Olkewicz is a former American football linebacker who played his entire eleven year career with the Washington Redskins from 1979 to 1989 in the National Football League.... |
| Rod Martin Rod Martin Rod Martin is a retired National Football League linebacker who played for the Los Angeles and Oakland Raiders from 1977 to 1988.-College career:... |
ROLB | Rich Milot Rich Milot Richard Paul Milot is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League who played his entire nine year career with the Washington Redskins from 1979 to 1987. He played college football at Penn State University and was drafted in the seventh round of the 1979 NFL Draft.... |
|
| Lester Hayes Lester Hayes Lester Hayes is a former professional American football player for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League.... |
LCB | Anthony Washington | |
| Mike Haynes | RCB | Darrell Green Darrell Green Darrell Ray Green is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League who played for the Washington Redskins from 1983 to 2002. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest cornerbacks to ever play football... |
|
| Mike Davis Mike Davis (American football) Michael Leonard Davis is a retired American football safety.-College career:Davis played college football at the University of Colorado.-Professional career:... |
SS | Ken Coffey Ken Coffey Kenneth Eugene Coffey is a former professional American football defensive back who played safety for four seasons for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League... |
|
| Vann McElroy Vann McElroy Vann William McElroy , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Los Angeles Raiders in the third round of the 1982 NFL Draft. A 6'2", 193-lb., safety from Baylor University, McElroy played in nine NFL seasons from 1982 to 1990 for the Raiders and Seattle Seahawks.... |
FS | Mark Murphy | |
Officials
- Referee: Gene BarthGene BarthGene Barth was an American football official in the National Football League , who wore uniform number 14, which is now worn by Ron Winter. He is most notable for being the referee in Super Bowl XVIII, played January 22, 1984.-Personal:...
#14 - Umpire: Gordon Wells #89
- Head Linesman: Jerry Bergman #17
- Line Judge: Bob Beeks #59
- Field Judge: Fritz Graf #34
- Side Judge: Gil Mace #90
- Back Judge: Ben Tompkins #52