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Malcolm Butler And The Most Unlikely Super Bowl Heroes Of All Time

Malcolm Butler And The Most Unlikely Super Bowl Heroes Of All Time

Malcolm Butler Patriots
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The Super Bowl has a way of making heroes out of unknown players. Some of the game's most memorable plays came from players who no one had any clue existed. In Super Bowl XLIX, the unknown star was rookie Malcolm Butler. Here now is where Butler ranks among the most unlikely Super Bowl heroes of all time.

10. Dexter Jackson (Super Bowl XXXVII)

Dexter Jackson Buccaneers
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10. Dexter Jackson (Super Bowl XXXVII)

Dexter Jackson Buccaneers
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On a defense with Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks and John Lynch, the MVP of Super Bowl XXXVII was won by an unknown safety named Dexter Jackson. Against the Oakland Raiders, Jackson picked off two passes.

9. Randy Beverley (Super Bowl III)

New York Jets Helmet
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9. Randy Beverley (Super Bowl III)

New York Jet Helmet
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In Super Bowl III, Joe Namath and the New York Jets pulled off the biggest upset in Super Bowl history, defeating the Baltimore Colts 16-7. Namath was named MVP, but defensive back Randy Beverley was the defensive player of the game. Beverley had two interceptions down in the red zone that prevented touchdown drives.

8. James Washington (Super Bowl XXVIII)

James Washington Cowboys
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8. James Washington (Super Bowl XXVIII)

James Washington Cowboys
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In Super Bowl XXVIII, Dallas Cowboys safety James Washington recorded 11 tackles, a forced fumble, returned a fumble for a touchdown, and intercepted a pass as the Cowboys defeated Buffalo 30-13.

7. Timmy Smith (Super Bowl XXII)

Timmy Smith Redskins
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7. Timmy Smith (Super Bowl XXII)

Timmy Smith Redskins
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In Super Bowl XXII against the Denver Broncos, Washington Redskins RB Timmy Smith had the game of his life. Smith ran for 204 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Redskins dominated Denver 42-10.

6. Max McGee (Super Bowl I)

Green Bay Packers Helmet
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6. Max McGee (Super Bowl I)

Green Bay Packers Helmet
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An unheralded backup in Super Bowl I, Max McGee came in for an injured Boyd Dowler and caught two touchdown passes in Green Bay's 35-10 win over Kansas City. What's more impressive is that McGee accomplished this after breaking curfew and overcoming a hangover.

5. Chris Reis (Super Bowl XLIV)

Chris Reis Saints
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5. Chris Reis (Super Bowl XLIV)

Chris Reis Saints
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Trailing 10-6 in Super Bowl XLIV, the New Orleans Saints attempted an onside kick to begin the second half. In a mad scramble for the ball, Chris Reis, a backup defensive back, recovered the ball for New Orleans, and the Saints outscored Indianapolis 25-7 the rest of the way for a 31-17 victory.

4. Rod Martin (Super Bowl XV)

Rod Martin Raiders
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4. Rod Martin (Super Bowl XV)

Rod Martin Raiders
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In Super Bowl XV, Oakland Raiders linebacker had a history-making performance. Against the Philadelphia Eagles, Martin recorded a Super Bowl-record three interceptions, and was named Super Bowl MVP in Oakland's 27-10 win.

3. Mike Jones (Super Bowl XXXIV)

Kevin Dyson Titans
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3. Mike Jones (Super Bowl XXXIV)

Kevin Dyson Titans
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Leading 23-16 with seconds remaining, the St. Louis Rams had to withstand a furious rally from the Tennessee Titans. On the final play of Super Bowl XXXIV, Jones stopped Tennessee receiver Kevin Dyson one yard shy of the goal-line, preserving the Rams' only Super Bowl title in franchise history.

2. David Tyree (Super Bowl XLII)

David Tyree Giants
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2. David Tyree (Super Bowl XLII)

David Tyree Giants
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Facing the 18-0 New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, reserve receiver David Tyree made two incredible plays. Tyree caught a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, and made his now famous helmet catch to keep New York's game-winning drive alive.

1. Malcolm Butler (Super Bowl XLIX)

Malcolm Butler Patriots
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1. Malcolm Butler (Super Bowl XLIX)

Malcolm Butler Patriots
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With Seattle driving and attempting to take the lead late in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLIX, New England Patriots reserve cornerback Malcolm Butler intercepted Russell Wilson at the goal line, sealing New England's fourth Super Bowl title.

Brian Kalchik is a Houston Texans writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

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