The Super Bowl MVP is rarely decided by the fans alone
In short: While millions of fans cast votes for the Super Bowl's most valuable player, the ultimate decision rests largely in the hands of a small group of experts. The weighted system ensures that professional analysis carries four times the influence of public opinion in crowning the game's hero.
Since 2001, the Super Bowl MVP has been determined by a hybrid voting system. A panel of 16 football writers and broadcasters provides the primary weight, accounting for 80 percent of the total vote tally. The remaining 20 percent comes from fans who vote electronically via the internet or cell phones. This structure ensures that while the public has a voice, the award remains anchored in the perspectives of those who cover the sport professionally.
The award's history reflects the evolution of the NFL's branding. While Sport magazine presented the award from 1967 through 1989, the NFL took over in 1990. In 1991, the league introduced the Pete Rozelle Trophy, named after the former commissioner. Interestingly, the award almost always goes to a member of the winning team, with the sole exception of 1971, when Dallas Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley won despite his team's loss to the Baltimore Colts.
Individual dominance in the award is rare. Tom Brady holds the record with five wins, split between the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Joe Montana and Patrick Mahomes follow with three wins each. While quarterbacks have secured the honor 34 times across 59 games, the award has also been shared; Harvey Martin and Randy White were named co-MVPs in Super Bowl XII, the only instance of a tie in the history of the trophy.
The tangible rewards for the MVP have also shifted over time. From the inaugural game until Super Bowl XLIX, winners received a new car. However, following a partnership with Hyundai, the practice of awarding a vehicle ended after Super Bowl 50.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Super Bowl Most Valuable Player
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