The NFL Super Bowl is where legends are made, and every play feels like it could define history. One second, a team is pinned on its own 10-yard line, and the next—boom—a 90-yard touchdown has fans losing their minds. It’s the ultimate “anything can happen” stage, where jaw-dropping moments are practically guaranteed.
Over the years, some plays have literally stretched the game’s limits. From massive touchdown bombs to electrifying returns, these are the longest plays in Super Bowl history. Let’s dive in and relive these epic moments!
Longest Touchdown Pass: Jake Delhomme to Muhsin Muhammad, 85 Yards (2004)
In Super Bowl XXXVIII, Jake Delhomme launched an 85-yard touchdown to Muhsin Muhammad, the longest in Super Bowl history. Muhammad easily outran Patriots defensive back Eugene Wilson to snag the pass, giving the Panthers a brief 22-21 lead in the fourth quarter. Delhomme had an up-and-down game, completing just 48.5% of his passes, but he managed 323 yards and three touchdowns. The Panthers ultimately fell 32-29, but this play remains unforgettable.
Muhammad broke the record previously held by Antonio Freeman, who caught an 81-yard pass from Brett Favre in NFL Super Bowl XXXI. Freeman’s Packers defeated the Patriots 35-21, and his catch is still the longest in a Super Bowl win.
Longest Rush: Willie Parker, 75 Yards (2006)
Willie Parker’s 75-yard touchdown run in Super Bowl XL epitomized the phrase “It only takes one.” Parker managed just 18 yards on his nine other carries, but this single play made history. Early in the second half, he found a hole on the right side and never looked back, helping the Steelers secure a 21-10 win over the Seahawks.
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This run edged out Marcus Allen’s 74-yard touchdown in Super Bowl XVIII by just one yard. Allen dominated that game, rushing for 191 yards and two touchdowns as the Raiders crushed Washington 38-9.
Longest Kickoff Return: Jacoby Jones, 108 Yards (2013)
Jacoby Jones made Super Bowl XLVII history with a 108-yard kickoff return for the Ravens against the 49ers. His return, opening the second half, stretched Baltimore’s lead to 28-6. Shortly afterward, the infamous Superdome blackout delayed the game. The 49ers rallied to within two points, but the Ravens held on for a 34-31 victory. Jones’s electrifying return stands as the longest in Super Bowl history.
Desmond Howard’s 99-yard kickoff return in Super Bowl XXXI previously held the record. Howard’s MVP performance, including the return, sealed a Packers win over the Patriots.
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Longest Punt Return: Kadarius Toney, 65 Yards (2023)
Kadarius Toney’s 65-yard punt return in Super Bowl LVII gave the Chiefs a massive momentum boost. The record-breaking return set up Patrick Mahomes’ 4-yard touchdown pass to Skyy Moore, giving Kansas City a 35-27 lead over the Eagles. Toney also caught a touchdown earlier in the game, helping the Chiefs secure their second title in four years with a 38-35 victory.
Longest Interception Return: James Harrison, 100 Yards (2009)
James Harrison’s 100-yard interception return in Super Bowl XLIII is one of the most iconic plays in NFL history. Just before halftime, the Cardinals were on the verge of scoring. But Harrison picked off Kurt Warner’s pass and weaved through nearly the entire Arizona offense to score as time expired, giving the Steelers a 17-7 lead. Pittsburgh ultimately won 27-23 after a late Santonio Holmes touchdown.
The second-longest pick-six belongs to Robert Alford, who ran back an 82-yard interception against the Patriots in Super Bowl LI. Despite his effort, the Falcons famously lost 34-28 in overtime after blowing a 28-3 lead.
Longest Field Goal: Harrison Butker, 57 Yards (2024)
Harrison Butker set a new Super Bowl record with a 57-yard field goal in Super Bowl LVIII. The Chiefs trailed the 49ers 10-7 late in the first half when Butker nailed the kick, breaking Jake Moody’s record from earlier in the same game. Butker’s performance, including a last-second field goal to force overtime, helped Kansas City win 25-22.
Longest Punt: Johnny Hekker, 65 Yards (2019)
In Super Bowl LIII, Rams punter Johnny Hekker blasted a 65-yard punt, the longest in Super Bowl history. It came in a defensive slugfest against the Patriots, with both teams struggling offensively. Hekker’s kick flipped the field, pinning New England back at their 29-yard line. The Rams lost 13-3, but Hekker’s booming punt stood out in a forgettable game.
NFL Super Bowl history is filled with unforgettable moments, and these record-breaking plays remind us why we love the game. From clutch passes to explosive returns, each play added a layer to the legacy of football’s biggest stage. Which one’s your favorite?
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