One year ago, that the Denver Broncos were getting ready to play on the biggest stage in pro football. One year later, and we are getting to ready to watch the Atlanta Falcons play the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI.

There are certain names that have a special place in Super Bowl lore. We know names like Starr, and Swann and Montana. In Broncos championship history those names are Elway, Davis, and Miller. Those three were named the Most Valuable Players of the Broncos’ three Super Bowl victories.

Yet, we also know that there are a number of players that made significant contributions to those same victories. Here are several players that may not have been named MVP in the Super Bowl victories, but were almost as important in earning football’s ultimate prize.

Super Bowl XXXII: Steve Atwater

When we think back to the Broncos very first Super Bowl win, we all think of Terrell Davis running the ball, and John Elway diving for that first down and being helicoptered in midair. Yet, if anyone saved the game of their life for the biggest stage, it was safety Steve Atwater. Remember that Atwater had been a rookie the last time the Broncos had made it to the big game, and they hadn’t put up much of a fight as the San Francisco 49ers rolled to a 45-point win. Many thought this game would be a similar situation, and it certainly didn’t start much better. The Packers offense drove 76 yards for a touchdown on their opening drive of the game. However, Atwater let everyone know the Broncos weren’t going away so easily this time. He popped Packers wide receiver Antonio Freeman with a ferocious hit in the endzone. It was the first of many. Atwater hit every Packers player that ventured into his area that day, and even managed to knock himself and teammate Randy Hilliard out late in the game. He finished the game with six tackles, one sack, two passes defensed, and one forced fumble. The Broncos went on to beat the Packers 31-24, and Atwater was a big reason they got the win.

Super Bowl XXXII: The entire offensive line

It was the first Super Bowl victory in franchise history. It removed the burden of three previous losses for John Elway. It introduced many to running back Terrell Davis, who would go on to be named the game’s MVP. Yet, none of it happens without the big boys up front. It was widely thought that the Broncos undersized offensive line was going to be pushed around all day by Reggie White, Santana Dotson and big Gilbert Brown. On gameday, it was just the opposite. The Broncos used their quickness to grind out nearly 180 yards on the ground, and four rushing touchdowns behind Gary Zimmerman, Mark Schlereth, Tom Nalen, Brian Habib, and Tony Jones. Elway and Davis may have gotten the headlines, but that offensive line made it all happen.

Super Bowl XXXIII: Rod Smith

John Elway finished out his amazing career in style. He was 18 of 29, for 336 yards with three total touchdowns, as the Broncos beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-19 in Super Bowl XXXIII. Of course, Elway would be named the MVP, but there were a few other players that were at least in the conversation. One of them was wide receiver Rod Smith. The undrafted veteran caught five passes for 152 yards, as the Broncos looked to attack a suspect Atlanta secondary and safety Eugene Robinson. Smith’s 80-yard touchdown in the second quarter broke the game open, as it gave Denver an early 17-3 lead, and they never looked back.

Super Bowl XXXIII: Darrien Gordon

Another player that kind of got lost in Elway’s final game, Darrien Gordon might have won the MVP himself, in any other year. The Denver cornerback finished the game with just two tackles, but he defended three passes, intercepted two of them. Always a dangerous returner, he returned those interceptions for over 100 total yards. Gordon’s big returns would set the Broncos offense up with great field position, and would translate into 10 points for the Denver offense. The Broncos knocked off the Falcons, and became just the seventh team in NFL history to win back-to-back Super Bowls.

Super Bowl 50: T.J. Ward

Von Miller was an absolute monster in this game, as he wreaked havoc on the Carolina Panthers offense. He wasn’t the only Bronco defender who came to play that day. Malik Jackson, Chris Harris, Darian Stewart, and DeMarcus Ware all brought their A game, and the Denver defense held Carolina to just three third down conversions all day. The Broncos would beat the favored Panthers 24-10, thanks to that tenacious defense and an offense that did just enough. He may not have been named the Most Valuable Player, but don’t underestimate the contributions of safety T.J. Ward in this game. Ward was everywhere in Super Bowl 50. He racked up seven tackles, one interception and a very important fumble recovery that all but sealed the win. Miller was unquestionably the best player on the field last February, but Ward wasn’t far behind.