Throughout history, there have been several iconic rushing plays in the 58 Super Bowls that have been played so far.
Carries of 70 or more yards have been decisive in the final results of the biggest game of the season, but interestingly the longest rushing touchdowns have not been recorded by running backs.
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One of the most memorable carries is Marcus Allen‘s with the Los Angeles Raiders, when in Super Bowl XVIII he carried the ball to the end zone after a 74-yard run, which set a record at the time back in 1984.
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The play was nothing short of spectacular, with Allen rolling to his left, but when the Washington Redskins defense closed in on him, Allen changed direction and found a hole up the middle to escape into the end zone in the Raiders’ 38-9 victory over Washington.
What is the longest rush in Super Bowl history?
In Super Bowl XL, Allen’s mark was left behind by only one yard, thanks to Pittsburgh Steelers RB Willie Parker.
The Steelers running back took the ball on the second play of the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks, and thanks to great work from his offensive line, found the lane on the right side for a 75-yard run that broke the Seahawks’ hearts.
In the end, the Steelers won 21-10, giving the black and gold their fifth Vince Lombardi Trophy.
However, there are two other running plays, made by players who were not running backs on their teams, that have the historical mark for the longest running play in Super Bowl history.
James Harrison’s miracle interception
In Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers faced another Super Sunday debutant, the Arizona Cardinals.
On the last play of the first half, the Steelers were leading 10-7 against Arizona, who were on the 1-yard line and ready to turn the score around, but Harrison had other things in mind.
Harrison fooled quarterback Kurt Warner and threatened to charge, but the defender backed off to cover the passing zone; Warner’s delivery went right into Harrison’s hands who was right on the goal line.
Harrison took the ball and began an epic 100-yard run as the game clock expired in the first half; the defensive back was tackled by receiver Larry Fitzgerald, but the Steelers’ No. 92 managed to get into the end zone for a play that gave Pittsburgh a 17-7 halftime lead.
In the end, the game ended 27-23 in favor of the Steelers, so that play was a factor in Pittsburgh’s victory, as they became the first franchise to win six Super Bowls in history.
The longest rushing touchdown in Super Bowl history
As difficult as it may seem, there is an even longer play than Harrison’s that ended in a touchdown.
In Super Bowl XLVII between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, Jacoby Jones did something that will be hard to beat.
Jones received the kickoff that started the second half, and he did so at the back of his own end zone, and contrary to what everyone expected, which was to take a knee, Jones began an epic run.
Jones ran 109 yards to the opposite end zone, and that was the difference at the end of the game, which was won by Baltimore 34-31.
