Every non-quarterback to win Super Bowl MVP this century

Deion Branch – MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX

When the Patriots won their third Super Bowl in four years, Deion Branch was the star of the show and earned MVP honors as a result. Branch might not have found the end zone in the Patriots’ 24-21 win over the Eagles, but he finished the night with 11 receptions for 133 yards.

Branch also had a key 19-yard reception in the fourth quarter that helped them get into field goal range. Adam Vinatieri knocked the pigskin through the uprights at the end of that drive to put the Patriots up by 10 with less than nine minutes remaining.

Branch was Tom Brady’s go-to guy in Super XXXIX, leading the team in receptions and yards. In fact, no one even came close to Branch’s numbers in that game and he was the clear choice to give the MVP to if the league didn’t want to give Brady his third Super Bowl MVP award. Brady had thrown for 236 yards and two touchdowns, so it’s not like his stats jumped off the page.

Branch was the first wide receiver to win Super Bowl MVP since Jerry Rice did it in Super Bowl XXIII, but it wouldn’t take long before another receiver would be awarded the honor.