Former Washington running back John Riggins still holds a Super Bowl record as we approach Super Bowl LVII (57), the 40th anniversary of Washington’s first Super Bowl victory.
Actually, I found that though Washington last appeared in a Super Bowl 31 years ago (SB XXVI win over Buffalo), there are still several Super Bowl records held by the Burgundy and Gold.
Ricky Sanders is one of seven players to score two touchdowns in one quarter of a Super Bowl game. Sanders caught two passes from Doug Williams as Washington scored 35 points in the quarter, defeating Denver 42-10.
Sanders was also the only player to score two SB touchdowns both over 50 yards in a game, until Jacoby Jones of the Baltimore Ravens tied him.
🗓️ Jan 31st, 1988
🏟️ Jack Murphy Stadium
🏆 Super Bowl XXII
⏱️ 2nd Quarter
🤯 5 TDs in 18 plays covering 5:47
🏈 Doug Williams 9/11 for 228 yds & 4 TDs
🙌🏿 Ricky Sanders 5 RECs for 168 yds & 2 TDs
👟 Timmy Smith 122 rushing yds & 1 TD
🔥 SB record 35 points#WashingtonFootballTeam pic.twitter.com/aEjCLvUNK9— 80s Football Cards 🏈 🙌 (@80sFootballCard) January 31, 2022
Doug Williams was the first quarterback to throw four touchdown passes in one half of a Super Bowl (SB XXII). Steve Young (SB XXIX) later tied Williams.
Doug Williams still possesses the record of four touchdown passes in a single quarter of a Super Bowl (SB XXII, 2nd quarter).
Doug Williams passed for the most yards in a Super Bowl quarter (second), passing for 228 yards in SB XXII.
John Riggins, 40 years later, still holds the record for most carries in a Super Bowl when he rushed 38 times for 166 yards in SB XVII and was MVP.
Timmy Smith rushed for the most yards in a Super Bowl when he ran for 204 yards in SB XXII against Denver.
John Riggins also holds the record for most combined attempts with 39 (38 rushes, 1 reception) in a Super Bowl game.
The punishing Washington defense caused Jim Kelly to fumble three times in the Redskins SB XXVI win over the Bills.
Washington cornerback Mike Bass is one of six players to have returned a fumble for a touchdown in a Super Bowl. His touchdown return occurred in SB VII, a 14-7 loss to Miami.
The Washington defense was so dominant in SB XVII that Mike Nelms holds a record of six returned punts against Miami.
Washington set two more records in SB XXII when they scored the most points in a half (35) and also the most points in a quarter (35), all in the second quarter.
Washington still holds the record for the largest halftime scoring margin of 25 points when they led Denver 35-10 at the half of SB XXII.
*Commanders Wire will conclude Washington Super Bowl records with part two tomorrow.
