This Week in Heisman History: Staubach makes history against Dolphins

The NFL playoff games this weekend will feature not one, but two Heisman-winning quarterbacks as Carson Palmer (Arizona) and Cam Newton (Carolina) take on the Packers and the Seahawks, respectively. They both have a shot at becoming the first Heisman quarterback to win a Super Bowl since Jim Plunkettdid so for the Raiders in 1983-84.

The Heisman quarterback who made the earliest impact on the Super Bowl, however, was Roger Staubach. Not only was the former Navy star the first Heisman quarterback to play in a Super Bowl, he was the first Heisman winner (at any position) to win the game’s Most Valuable Player award.

It was 44 years ago this week that Staubach led the Dallas Cowboys to a 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI. When the 1971 season began, Staubach was the backup to Craig Morton. By mid-season, he took over the starting duties and promptly led the Cowboys to 10 consecutive victories.

In the Super Bowl against Miami on Jan. 16, 1972, Staubach complete 12 of 19 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns while also adding 18 rushing yards on five carries as Dallas won easily, 24-3. It remains one of the most dominant performances in Super Bowl history.