Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III just did something that hadn’t been seen in the Super Bowl for over two decades: he was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. The 25-year-old Walker earned the honor following Seattle’s dominant 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Walker’s performance marks the first time a running back has claimed the Super Bowl MVP award since Terrell Davis of the Denver Broncos rushed for 157 yards and three touchdowns in Super Bowl XXXII in 1998. Davis’s stellar showing led the Broncos to a 31-24 upset win against the Green Bay Packers, ending the NFC’s 13-year winning streak in the championship game—and he did it while battling a migraine that sidelined him for much of the second quarter.
A Rare Feat: Running Backs in the Super Bowl Spotlight
These players have earned the Super Bowl’s highest individual honor.
- Kenneth Walker III is the first running back to win Super Bowl MVP since 1998.
- Terrell Davis earned the award despite a mid-game illness.
- Walker joins an exclusive group of just eight running backs to receive the honor.
| Super Bowl | Player | Stats |
|---|---|---|
| LX (2026) | Kenneth Walker, Seahawks | 27 carries, 135 yards |
| XXXII (1998) | **Terrell Davis, Broncos | 30 carries, 157 yards, 3 TDs |
| XXVIII (1994) | **Emmitt Smith, Cowboys | 30 carries, 132 yards, 2 TDs |
| XXV (1991) | Ottis Anderson, Giants | 21 carries, 102 yards, TD |
| XVIII (1984) | **Marcus Allen, Raiders | 21 carries, 191 yards, 2 TDs |
| XVII (1983) | **John Riggins, Washington | 38 carries, 166 yards, TD |
| IX (1975) | **Franco Harris, Steelers | 34 carries, 158 yards, TD |
| VIII (1974) | **Larry Csonka, Dolphins | 33 carries, 145 yards, 2 TDs |
While Timmy Smith’s 204 rushing yards in Super Bowl XXII remain a single-game record, and Thurman Thomas arguably deserved MVP honors in Super Bowl XXV with 135 rushing yards and 190 all-purpose yards, the award went to Giants running back Ottis Anderson. Anderson, at 34 years old, became the oldest player to win Super Bowl MVP, a record he still holds for non-quarterbacks.
Like the seven other running backs to earn the Super Bowl MVP title, Walker’s performance was instrumental in securing victory for his team. Walker amassed 94 rushing yards in the first half, the second-most in Super Bowl history, trailing only Emmitt Smith’s 131 yards. His 29- and 30-yard runs on Seattle’s fourth drive paved the way for Jason Myers’ second field goal, extending the Seahawks’ lead to 6-0.
Walker also became the first player in Super Bowl history to record two runs of at least 20 yards on a single drive.
Though less impactful in the second half, Walker’s 20-yard catch-and-run on the Seahawks’ opening drive of the third quarter set up Myers’ fourth field goal. The Seattle defense, meanwhile, stifled the Patriots’ offense all night, keeping them scoreless through three quarters. The game was effectively sealed when Uchenna Nwosu intercepted a pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown with 4:27 remaining.
With this win, the Seahawks now have two Super Bowl titles, evening their overall record in the big game to 2-2. The victory also avenged their heartbreaking loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX.
