In the Super Bowl, there are at least one, or maybe a few, plays that the American people at large will remember for years and years after the game has concluded. These plays are replayed over and over and given catchy titles such as "The Helmet Catch" and "The Butler Interception." Then there are the plays that are simply lost to the annals of NFL history whether it be because the play happened to a member of the losing team or the game in which the play happened is, in of itself, not very memorable. I decided to create a list of the top 5 forgotten plays in Super Bowl history. Let's get to the list.
5. Devin Hester Kickoff Return TD (Super Bowl XLI)
First off, this game is not very memorable as a whole. The only thing most people remember about this game is that Peyton Manning's team won. Devin Hester's kickoff return, however, is the best play from a very unmemorable game. The pure escapability of Devin Hester on the kickoff is outstanding to watch. This return touchdown is simply a microcosm of Hester's wonderful career as a return specialist.
4. Malcolm Smith Pick-Six (Super Bowl XLVIII)
This is the only play on this list that involves the winning team. The main reason this play is forgotten is that this game was, frankly, terrible. This game was over at halftime largely thanks to the pick-six by Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith. At that point in the game, Denver looked poised to get back in the game at the end of the first half. Smith's interception changed all that and launched the blowout that was the 48th iteration of "The Big Game."
3. Larry Fitzgerald Rec. TD (Super Bowl XLIII)
This play would be exponentially more memorable if Arizona had won this game. Alas, Santonio Holmes' catch on the ensuing Pittsburgh would be the most memorable play of the game. However, this touchdown catch and run introduced the world to the outstanding receiving talents of Larry Fitzgerald.
2. Julio Jones' Sideline Grab (Super Bowl LI)
If I had to describe Julio Jones, as a reciever, in one sentence, I would say that I've never had to ask if Julio Jones caught it when he caught a ball along the sideline. That description has never been more true than when Julio made that incredible catch on the sideline in the most recent Super Bowl. I literally stood up and shouted, "he caught it" when Julio made this play. It is the best catch, from a skill standpoint, that I have ever seen in a Super Bowl. Every time I watch it over, I am more and more amazed by this catch. I feel bad that it will be completely overshadowed by the fact that the Falcons lost this game.
1. Jermaine Kearse's Circus Catch (Super Bowl XLIX)
If Julio's catch was pure skill, Kearse's catch was pure luck. The football seemed to bounce off every part of Jermaine Kearse's body before it ended up in his arms. To this day, I still have no idea how Kearse didn't just get up and get in the endzone. This catch will, in all likelihood, never be duplicated and never remembered.