When TV commentators were saying things like “Von Miller just made himself known to the world” on Sunday night, they must have been talking to the “Super Bowl-only” football audience.
Anyone who’s paid any attention to the Denver Broncos over the past five seasons knows that Von Miller is a force to be reckoned with. He’s also about to be a very rich man. But there were some names in the spotlight during Super Bowl 50 that even the most devout football observers not hailing from Denver might have been unfamiliar with.
Allow us to introduce you to the unsung heroes of Super Bowl 50.
Special Teams Gunner, Kayvon Webster
#SB50: Special teams champ @kayvonwebster is clocked in
— Sam Cowhick (@SamCowhick) February 7, 2016
Much like he was during the AFC Championship, gunner Kayvon Webster was a beast in punt coverage against the Panthers. On three attempts, Carolina return man Ted Ginn Jr., one of the fastest guys in the league, had a net total of two yards. The really amazing thing about Webster? He’s slowly been assuming the role, but took over full time late in the year for David Bruton Jr. who went on the IR after playing 70 snaps in Week 15 on a broken leg.
Punt Returner, Jordan Norwood
#Broncos Jordan Norwood goes 61-yards for the longest punt return in #SuperBowl history! WOW..
— Jahmai Webster (@WebsterOnTV) February 8, 2016
When Jordan Norwood joined the Broncos in 2014, many fans thought he was an undrafted college free agent. He was… five years prior in Cleveland. Norwood was supposed to be a tackling dummy for Aqib Talib and Chris Harris. Instead, he stole a job from second-round draft pick Cody Latimer. When the league’s best punt returner, Omar Bolden, was officially put on IR for the AFC Championship, Norwood took the job. He delivered the biggest return ever on the biggest stage, showing his bag of tricks is not close to empty.
Cornerback, Bradley Roby
Roby is on point for the #Broncos today. I was a little concerned but he has played lights out today
— Press Box Insider (@PBIOnAir) February 8, 2016
Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr., Denver’s Pro Bowl cornerback duo, get plenty of praise (and rightfully so), but the real reason the Broncos had the top passing defense in the league this year was Bradley Roby. There is no weak link in the Denver secondary, as Roby has fast elevated his game to on-par with his Pro Bowl counterparts. Roby is a star on the rise, and he’s learning from two of the best in the business.
Punter, Britton Colquitt
Colquitt is still killing it so far. #Broncos #SB50
— Delano White Jr (@bigdeewhite) February 8, 2016
There was quite possibly no better punter in the game, or at least none more important to his team, in 2011 than Britton Colquitt. Denver consistently won the field position game thanks to Colquitt’s coffin corners and Tim Tebow‘s heroics. After struggling at times over the past few years, Colquitt regained his impeccable form just in time. His play in the AFC Championship and the Super Bowl this year were as good as he’s ever been, often under difficult circumstances.
Linebacker, Danny Trevathan
#Broncos Danny Trevethan is the leader in the clubhouse for #SB50 MVP.. And oh by the way, he's a free agent.
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) February 8, 2016
Outside linebackers Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware are among the best in the game at their position. They are household names in every football town in America. Even inside linebacker Brandon Marshall is known outside of Denver thanks to sharing the same name as another talented former Bronco. But who was the leading tackler for the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50? That would be Danny Trevathan, the other linebacker. Trevathan, a 2012 sixth-round pick by Denver, also scooped up two fumbles in the win. Were it not for Von Miller’s monster day, Trevathan very well could have been your Super Bowl 50 MVP.