Super Bowl XXII

Super Bowl XXII
Game name	Super Bowl XXII
Visitor	Denver Broncos
Home	Washington Redskins
Visitor abbr	DEN
Home abbr	WAS
Visitor conf	AFC
Home conf	NFC
Visitor score	10
Home score	42
Date	January 31, 1988
Stadium	Jack Murphy Stadium
City	San Diego, California
Attendance	72,192
Mvps	Doug Williams (QB)
Odds	Redskins by 3
Anthem	The United States Navy Band
Halftime	Chaka Khan and The Beach Boys with The Temptations and The Four Tops
Network	ABC
Announcers	Al Michaels and Frank Gifford

Super Bowl XXII

The game matched the Washington Redskins of the NFC and the Denver Broncos of the AFC at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. The Redskins staged a record fourth-quarter offensive outburst and quarterback Doug Williams earned Super Bowl MVP honors. The contest featured prominent figures such as coaches Joe Gibbs and Mike Shanahan, owners Jack Kent Cooke and Pat Bowlen, and marked a milestone for African American quarterbacks in National Football League championship history.

Background and season summaries

The Redskins entered the postseason after a regular season under head coach Joe Gibbs highlighted by a roster led by quarterback Doug Williams, running back John Riggins, wide receivers Art Monk and Ricky Sanders, and a defense coordinated by Nolan Cromwell's contemporaries including Darrell Green, Charles Mann, and Dexter Manley. Washington finished atop the NFC East and won the NFC with an offense that featured play-calling from Joe Gibbs and passing schemes influenced by coordinators like Clyde Simmons's era peers. The Broncos, coached by Mike Shanahan's predecessor dynamics under head coach Dan Reeves, relied on quarterback John Elway, running back Steve Sewell and receivers such as Vance Johnson, with a defense featuring Simon Fletcher and Karl Mecklenburg. Denver won the AFC West and advanced through the AFC bracket behind Elway's leadership and owner Pat Bowlen's investments in personnel and facilities.

Playoff routes

Washington's playoff run included an NFC Divisional Playoffs victory and an NFC Championship Game triumph over conference rivals featuring matchups against teams like the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings in adjacent seasons' contexts; en route they defeated opponents anchored by players such as Walter Payton-era successors and coaching staffs linked to Mike Ditka and Bud Grant legacies. Denver reached the Super Bowl after winning AFC matchups including an AFC Divisional Playoffs game and the AFC Championship Game against franchises with histories involving Joe Gibbs-era contemporaries, overcoming squads that featured veterans from New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns traditions. Key playoff figures included referees and officials connected to Jerry Markbreit's officiating tree and broadcasters from networks such as ABC and personalities including Al Michaels and Frank Gifford.

Game summary

The game began with a defensive struggle until Denver struck first with a field goal by kicker Rich Karlis and a touchdown pass from John Elway to Ricky Nattiel-era parallels; Washington responded later in the half. The second quarter featured an explosive performance by Doug Williams, who orchestrated multiple touchdown drives culminating in a 35-point quarter for the Redskins highlighted by scoring passes to Ricky Sanders, Art Monk, and Gary Clark. Special teams contributions and turnovers influenced momentum, with Washington capitalizing on mistakes by Elway and Denver's offense. The fourth quarter saw the Broncos attempt a comeback behind Elway and coach Dan Reeves, but Washington's balanced attack with contributions from John Riggins on the ground and Timmy Smith-style emergent runners kept Denver at bay. The performance by Williams became notable within histories of African American athletes in professional sports alongside milestones achieved by players such as Jim Brown and Warren Moon.

Scoring summary

First quarter - DEN – Field goal, Rich Karlis 19 yards (DEN 3–0) - WAS – Field goal, Mark Moseley 28 yards (WAS 3–3)

Second quarter - WAS – TD pass, Doug Williams to Ricky Sanders (WAS 10–3) - WAS – TD pass, Doug Williams to Gary Clark (WAS 17–3) - WAS – TD pass, Doug Williams to Art Monk (WAS 24–3) - WAS – TD pass, Doug Williams to Ricky Sanders (WAS 31–3)

Third quarter - DEN – TD run, Steve Sewell (WAS 31–10)

Fourth quarter - WAS – TD run, John Riggins (WAS 38–10) - WAS – TD run, Timmy Smith (WAS 45–10) [Note: numbering corresponds to in-game accounts] - DEN – TD pass, John Elway to Vance Johnson (WAS 45–17)

(Scoring sequences reconstructed to reflect major scoring plays involving notable players such as Doug Williams, John Elway, John Riggins, Art Monk, Ricky Sanders, Gary Clark, Vance Johnson, and kickers including Mark Moseley and Rich Karlis.)

Box score and statistics

Team leaders included Washington with a dominant passing performance by Doug Williams—completing multiple touchdown passes—while Denver featured quarterback John Elway with passing yards and a touchdown. Rushing yards were split among Redskins backs John Riggins and Timmy Smith, and Broncos rushing included contributions from Steve Sewell and Steve Watson-era contemporaries. Defensive statistics highlighted interceptions and sacks recorded by Washington defenders such as Darrell Green and Charles Mann, and team totals reflected turnovers and time of possession differentials. Special teams stats noted field goals by Mark Moseley and Rich Karlis and kickoff returns influenced by players connected to Gale Sayers-era return specialists. The MVP award was presented to Doug Williams.

Aftermath and legacy

The game's legacy encompasses the Redskins' second championship in the Joe Gibbs era, the validation of offensive strategies influenced by coordinators and front-office decisions by figures like owner Jack Kent Cooke and coach Joe Gibbs, and a cultural milestone as Doug Williams became the first Black quarterback to win Super Bowl MVP—joining ranks of historic athletes such as Jackie Robinson and Muhammad Ali in sports civil-rights narratives. The Broncos, led by John Elway, returned to build future championship teams under executives influenced by Pat Bowlen and coaching hires like Mike Shanahan, while the NFL continued to expand its broadcasting and halftime spectacles involving performers such as Chaka Khan and The Beach Boys. The contest remains referenced in discussions involving quarterback representation, coaching legacies including Joe Gibbs's Hall of Fame credentials, and franchise histories maintained by the Washington Redskins organization and the Denver Broncos.

Category:1988 in sports