NFL legends who made their mark in bowl history

Future Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer Troy Aikman was the MVP of the 1989 Cotton Bowl in a 17-3 win over Arkansas. He threw for 172 yards and one touchdown.

Notre Dame gave Florida its second loss of the year in the 1992 Sugar Bowl. Bettis won game MVP with 150 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Biletnikoff helped lead the 10th-ranked Seminoles to a 36-19 win over Oklahoma in the 1964-65 Gator Bowl. He had an incredible 13 receptions for 192 yards and four touchdowns in the game.

Purdue shocked an 11-0 Kansas State squad with a 37-34 win in the 1998 Alamo Bowl behind the heroics of Brees. The future Saints legend threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns.

Favre was the MVP of the final All-American Bowl in 1990, despite a losing effort. The Packers legend threw for 341 yards in a 31-27 loss to NC State.

Johnson made his mark in the BCS National Championship at the Rose Bowl during the conclusion of the 2001-02 season. A likely NFL Hall of Famer following his career with the Texans, Johnson was co-MVP with quarterback Ken Dorsey after two touchdown catches in the first half.

Despite losing to West Virginia 38-35 in the Gator Bowl, Johnson had a dominant day with nine receptions for 186 yards and two touchdowns. He would go on to become an elite wide receiver with the Lions.

Kent State lost the 1972 Tangerine Bowl to Tampa 21-18, but Steelers legend Jack Lambert was named outstanding lineman.

Lanier was named the MVP of the 1966 Tangerine Bowl as Morgan State defeated West Chester 14-6. He would go on to become a Hall of Fame linebacker after an 11-year career with the Chiefs, being named All-Pro eight times.

Manning had consecutive great bowl showings at the 2002 Independence Bowl and 2004 Cotton Bowl. He threw for 313 yards and one score in the Independence Bowl, as the Rebels beat Nebraska 27-23. The following year Manning helped take down Oklahoma State 31-28, throwing for 259 yards and two touchdowns to win game MVP.

Manning finished his junior season at the 1997 Florida Citrus Bowl, winning game MVP after defeating Northwestern 48-26. He threw for 408 yards and four touchdown passes, along with one touchdown run.

Marino led Pitt in a 24-20 upset win over undefeated Georgia at the 1982 Sugar Bowl. The future Dolphins quarterback won game MVP with two late touchdown passes, including the game-winner with 35 seconds remaining.

Michael Jordan is known for the flu game in the 1997 NBA Finals, but the original flu game came in the 1979 Cotton Bowl from Joe Montana. As legend has it, Montana sat out most of the game but ate a bowl of chicken soup and entered the game down 34-12 in the fourth quarter. He was able to lead the Fighting Irish to a 35-34 win over Houston before beginning his terrific NFL career with the 49ers.

Moon helped Washington upset Michigan 27-20 in the 1978 Rose Bowl. The game MVP, he ran for two touchdowns and passed for one more.

Alabama lost its first game of the year after losing to Texas 21-17 in the 1965 Orange Bowl, but Namath still had an excellent game for the Crimson Tide. Namath was the game MVP with 255 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Rodgers led Cal to a 52-49 shootout win over Virginia Tech in the 2003 Insight Bowl. He threw for 394 yards and two touchdowns, also rushing for two scores in a wild game that was won on a field goal at the end.

Miami capped off one of its greatest seasons with a 49-28 win over Louisville in the 2003 GMAC Bowl. Roethlisberger was at his best in his final college game, throwing for 376 yards and four touchdowns.

Oklahoma State beat Wyoming 62-14 in one of the most lopsided wins in bowl history, led by Sanders. The Heisman Trophy winner rushed for 222 yards and five touchdowns before he was off to play in the NFL for the Lions.

The No. 1-ranked USC Trojans defeated Indiana 14-3 in the 1968 Rose Bowl with a big game from Simpson. He won game MVP after scoring both touchdowns.

Oklahoma got a rematch vs. Nebraska at the 1979 Orange Bowl after suffering the only loss of the year to the Huskers earlier in the season. Sims capped off his Heisman season with two rushing touchdowns to win game MVP.

Bama finished off an undefeated season with a 34-7 win over Nebraska in the 1967 Sugar Bowl, as Stabler won game MVP. He had a 45-yard touchdown pass and a 14-yard touchdown run.

Thomas played his final game in the 1988 Sun Bowl, beating Army 29-28. He won the Most Valuable Lineman Award after blocking two field goals, breaking up one pass and getting six tackles. He would go on to be an elite pass rusher for the Chiefs in the NFL.

TCU lost to Southern Miss in the 2000 Mobile Alabama Bowl, but Tomlinson still capped off a 2,100-yard rushing season with another strong day. He had 28 carries for 118 yards and two touchdowns. 

Walker finished off a fine first season at Georgia by winning MVP of the 1981 Sugar Bowl. The Bulldogs completed their perfect season with a 17-10 win over Notre Dame, and Walker scored both touchdowns.

BYU had one of the best seasons in its history, led by quarterback Steve Young. He won 1983 Holiday Bowl MVP after a 21-17 win over Missouri, scoring as a passer, runner and receiver. His receiving touchdown won the game with only 23 seconds remaining.