Doug Williams - Doug Williams MVP - Super Bowl XXII- Superbowl XXII- Super Bowl 22 - Washington Redskins - Denver Broncos

Redskins quarterback Doug Williams was named the Super Bowl MVP, completing 18 of 29 passes for a Super Bowl record 340 yards and four touchdowns, with one interception. Williams became the first player in Super Bowl history to throw 4 touchdowns in a single quarter, and throw four in a half. Williams was also the first African-American quarterback to reach the Super Bowl, and to date is the only African-American quarterback to win one.

This game came at the end of a season that was shortened by a players' strike, but each team only lost one regular season game due to the labor dispute.

In one of the Super Bowl's superlative displays of passing, Washington's Doug Williams led a second-quarter offensive explosion that clinched a 42-10 victory over Denver. Williams completed 18-of-29 passes for a Super Bowl record 340 yards. He tied a Super Bowl record with four touchdown passes, all of which came in the second quarter.

Trailing 10-0 entering the second quarter, the Redskins went on a scoring binge unmatched in NFL postseason history. Scoring touchdowns on all five of their possessions, they put the game out of reach.

In the first minute of the quarter, Williams connected with wide receiver Ricky Sanders for an 80-yard score. Four minutes later, the quarterback hit wide receiver Gary Clark with a 27-yard touchdown pass. After a 58-yard TD run by running back Timmy Smith, Williams struck again, this time on 50-yard pass to Sanders. The final score of the comeback quarter came on an 8-yard pass to tight end Clint Didier.

Williams' MVP performance is all the more incredible given that he had earlier had to leave game temporarily after a knee-twisting hit.

The halftime show, produced by Radio City Music Hall, was titled "Something Grand" and featured performances by singer Chubby Checker, The Rockettes, and 88 grand pianos.

The Wonder Years premiered on ABC at the conclusion of this Super Bowl.

This game also marks the first time that instant replay was used in a Super Bowl game. It was used in the first quarter after the Broncos' third kickoff when the Redskins fumbled and recovered the kickoff return, to determine if it was a fumble. The original ruling on the field of a fumble and Redskins recovery stood.

NFC champion Washington won Super Bowl XXII and its second NFL championship of the 1980s with a 42-10 decision over AFC champion Denver.

The Redskins, who also won Super Bowl XVII, enjoyed a record-setting second quarter en route to the victory.

The Broncos broke in front 10-0 when quarterback John Elway threw a 56-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ricky Nattiel on the Broncos' first play from scrimmage. Following a Washington punt, Denver's Rich Karlis kicked a 24-yard field goal to cap a seven-play, 61-yard scoring drive.

The Redskins then erupted for 35 points on five straight possessions in the second period and coasted thereafter. The 35 points established an NFL postseason mark for most points in a period.

Redskins quarterback Doug Williams led the second-period explosion by passing for a Super Bowl record-tying four touchdowns, including 80- and 50-yard passes to wide receiver Ricky Sanders, a 27-yard toss to wide receiver Gary Clark, and an 8-yard pass to tight end Clint Didier.

Washington scored five touchdowns in 18 plays with total time of possession of only 5:47. Overall, Williams completed 18 of 29 passes for 340 yards and was named the game's most valuable player. His pass-yardage total eclipsed the Super Bowl record of 331 yards by Joe Montana of San Francisco in Super Bowl XIX.

Sanders ended with 193 yards on nine catches, breaking the previous Super Bowl yardage record of 161 yards by Lynn Swann of Pittsburgh in Game X.

Rookie running back Timmy Smith was the game's leading rusher with 22 carries for a Super Bowl-record 204 yards, breaking the previous mark of 191 yards by Marcus Allen of the Raiders in Game XVIII. Smith also scored twice on runs of 58 and 4 yards.

Washington's six touchdowns and 602 total yards gained also set Super Bowl records.

Redskins cornerback Barry Wilburn had two of the team's three interceptions, and strong safety Alvin Walton had two of Washington's five sacks.

Date January 31, 1988
Stadium Jack Murphy Stadium
City San Diego, California
MVP Doug Williams, Quarterback
Favorite Broncos by 3
National anthem Herb Alpert
Coin toss Don Hutson
Referee Bob McElwee
Halftime show Chubby Checker and The Rockettes
Attendance 72,302
TV in the United States
Network ABC
Announcers Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf, and Frank Gifford
Nielsen Ratings 41.9
Market share 62
Cost of 30-second commercial US$645,000