The 3 biggest overachievers in Super Bowl history

With an unprecedented television audience, the Super Bowl is the perfect stage for unheralded players to flourish on the grand stage. 

Many players have ascended from relative obscurity to a national profile after a strong performance at the Super Bowl. 

We examine the three biggest overachievers in Super Bowl history: 

Malcolm Smith, Seattle Seahawks, Super Bowl XLVIII

Malcolm Smith was thrust into the Seahawks' starting lineup due to injuries, and excelled in the role. Smith recorded an interception in the Seahawks' final four games of the regular season, and sealed the NFC Championship Game victory by picking off Colin Kaepernick. 

However, no one would have expected Smith to emerge as Super Bowl MVP, as he led the vaunted Seahawks' defense to a 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos. Smith returned an interception for 69 yards and a touchdown in the first half, recorded nine tackles and recovered a fumble. 

To put Smith's commanding performance in perspective, the 25-year-old will be used in sub-packages for the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX, and his performance in Super Bowl XLVI is one for the ages. 

Larry Brown, Dallas Cowboys, Super Bowl XXX

Larry Brown had the best season of his career entering Super Bowl XXX, recording a career-high six interceptions. Although he had an excellent campaign, Brown was overshadowed by star cornerback Deion Sanders and All-Pro strong safety Darren Woodson, who were the anchors of the Cowboys' secondary. 

The unheralded cornerback chose the best time to have the game of his career, recording two interceptions in the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Brown's two interceptions gave the Cowboys field position inside the Steelers' 20-yard line, setting up two vital touchdowns in the 27-17 victory. 

After the Super Bowl triumph, Brown leveraged his performance into a five-year, $12 million contract with the Oakland Raiders, but had a hard time living up to his end of the deal. Brown is a largely anonymous figure when one thinks about the Cowboys dynasty of the 1990s, but his performance in Super Bowl XXX will stand alone.

Dwight Smith, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Super Bowl XXXVII

Dwight Smith may not be remembered for his strong performance, as fellow Buccaneers safety Dexter Jackson somehow captured Super MVP honors. Tampa Bay routed Oakland 48-21, forcing league MVP Rich Gannon into five interceptions. 

The Buccaneers' defense was outstanding. Smith was arguably the best player on the field, returning two interceptions for touchdowns, becoming the first player in Super Bowl history to do so. Smith finished his nondescript career in 2008 with the Detroit Lions, but Buccaneers fans ought to always remember his play in their lone Super Bowl victory.