Super Bowl History

January 26th has been a day where many Super Bowls were played. Here are a few that had some very interesting story lines.

On Jan. 26, 1986 Super Bowl XX (20) was played The Chicago Bears defeated the New England Patriots by a score of 46-10 in the Louisiana Superdome.

At the time, it was the most lopsided Super Bowl in history as linebacker Richard Dent was named the game's MVP.

New England jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but then Chicago's defense clamped down and the offense picked it up a notch. The Bears rattled off the next 44 points to secure their victory.

The Superdome in New Orleans is playing the host for this years Super Bowl with the 49ers and Ravens.

On Jan. 26, 1992, Super Bowl XXVI (26) was played at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn.,

Mark Rypien of the Washington Redskins was the game's MVP as the Redskins defeated the Buffalo Bills by a score of 37-24. Rypien threw for 292 yards on 18-for-33 passing.

Washington had a 24-0 lead before Buffalo even scored its first points in the third quarter.

On Jan. 26, 1997, the Green Bay Packers won their first Super Bowl in the modern NFL over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI (31).

Desmond Howard was the game's MVP as his 99-yard kickoff return in the third quarter sealed the game for the Packers.

The final score was 35-21 as quarterback Brett Favre beat the Patriots' Drew Bledsoe.

On Jan. 26, 2003, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Oakland Raiders, in Super Bowl XXXVII (37).

The final score was 48-21 as the Buccaneers scored three touchdowns directly off interceptions.

Dwight Smith had two of those interceptions and Derrick Brooks had the other as Tampa Bay won their only Super Bowl title in their only appearance in the Super Bowl to this point.

Woolfolk Sets NFL Record

On Nov. 20, 1983, Butch Woolfolk sets an NFL record.

No one remembers the name Butch Woolfolk in NFL lore. 

His one-hit wonder in the NFL was setting the record for most rushing attempts in a single game Nov. 20, 1983.

The New York Giants shutout the Philadelphia Eagles 23-0 on two touchdowns and four field goals. Woolfolk ran 43 times for 159 yards and a touchdown. His per-carry average in that game was a cool 3.7 yards.

The record stood on its own for a year until James Wilder of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tied it Sept. 30, 1984. Jamie Morris of the Washington Redskins had 45 rushing attempts against the Cincinnati Bengals Dec. 17, 1988.

Monk Sets NFL Reception Record

On Oct. 12, 1992, Washington Redskins’ Art Monk sets a then NFL record with career reception 820.

Monk would go on to finish his career with 940 receptions. He also put up 12,721 yards and 68 touchdowns, along with 332 rushing yards.

He was the first player in NFL history to record over 102 receptions in a season, he finished with 106 during the 1984 campaign, and over 900 receptions in a career.

However, later that year, in 1992, Monk lost his all-time single season reception record to Sterling Sharpe, who finished with 108.

His most noteworthy NFL accomplishment was his record for career receptions 940, which was broken by Jerry Rice in 1995 during Monk's last season in the league.

Monk was drafted in the first round of the 1980 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. During his rookie year, he was a unanimous All-Rookie selection and had 58 receptions, which was a Redskins' rookie record.

In 1984, Monk caught a then-NFL record 106 receptions for a career-best 1,372 yards.

That season, he earned team MVP honors and his first Pro Bowl selection. Monk went over the 1,000-yard mark in each of the following two seasons, becoming the first Redskins receiver to produce three consecutive 1,000 yard seasons. He also became the first Redskins player to catch 70 or more passes in three consecutive seasons.

In 1989, he was part of a prolific wide receiver trio (along with Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders) nicknamed "The Posse," who became the first trio of wide receivers in NFL history to post 1,000-plus yards in the same season.

He was named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team. Monk also became the first player in the league to record a touchdown reception in 15 consecutive seasons as well as the only player ever to record at least 35 receptions in 15 consecutive seasons. Through the course of his 14 years with the Redskins, Monk converted nearly two-thirds of his 888 catches into first downs.

Over his career Monk was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, a one time AP First-Team All-Pro selection, a one time AP Second-Team All-Pro selection, a two-time First-Team All-NFC selection, a one time Second-Team All-NFC selection a four time NFC Champion, a three-time Super Bowl Champion in XVII (17), XXII (22), XXVI (26). He was also part of the All-Rookie Team in 1980.

Monk was inducted into the Washington Redskins Ring of Fame in 1996 a year after his retirement from the NFL.

On August 2, 2008, Monk, along with fellow Washington Redskins teammate Darrell Green, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Upon his induction into the Hall of Fame, Monk received the longest standing ovation in Pro Football Hall of Fame history, lasting four minutes and four seconds when later timed by NFL Films. In 2012, Monk was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Monk Begins Reception Streak

On Oct. 2, 1983, Hall of Fame wide receiver Art Monk begins his streak of catching one reception in at least 180 games in a row. Monk was the first player to mark this feat.

With all the receptions Monk was bringing in during his career he was able to eclipse several records including, the first wide receiver to record over 100 plus receptions in a season since the Super Bowl era. Monk was also the first player to record over 90 catches and 1,200 yards in back-to-back seasons. He was also the first player to record over 15 touchdowns in a season.

Monk also put up some big time career stats, he was the first receiver to catch over 820 passes in a career, and the first player to record over 900 receptions in a career, he finished with 940 receptions. The record for most receptions was broken 11 times since Monk retired in 1997.

Most notably by two San Francisco 49ers, Jerry Rice (1,549), Terrell Owens (1,078) and one Oakland Raider, Tim Brown (1,094).

Monk was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, and a three-time Super Bowl Champion. He was named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team and one of the 70 greatest Redskins of all-time, Monk’s number 81 jersey was retired by the Redskins shortly after his retirement. Monk was inducted into the Canton the NFL Hall of Fame in 2008.