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The New York Giants’ 7 Greatest Super Bowl Performers

By John Fennelly

Harry Carson #53, Linebacker for the New York Giants places his helmet on his head and talks with team mates Carl Banks #58, George Martin #75, Jim Burt #75 and #48 Kenny Hill during the National Football League Super Bowl XXI game against the Denver Broncos on 25 January 1987 at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California, United States. The Giants won the game 39 - 120. (Photo by Mike Powell/Allsport/Getty Images)
Harry Carson #53, Linebacker for the New York Giants places his helmet on his head and talks with team mates Carl Banks #58, George Martin #75, Jim Burt #75 and #48 Kenny Hill during the National Football League Super Bowl XXI game against the Denver Broncos on 25 January 1987 at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California, United States. The Giants won the game 39 - 120. (Photo by Mike Powell/Allsport/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
(Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Ottis Anderson, Running Back, Super Bowls XXI and XXV

O.J. Anderson came to the Giants via trade with the St. Louis Cardinals in October of 1986 in exchange for a second and a seventh round pick the next season. He was a seasoned veteran and former All-Pro runner that general manager George Young and head coach Bill Parcells felt could add depth to the their rushing attack. He did not add much value to the roster until 1988, when Joe Morris was on his way out but did score a touchdown in Super Bowl XXI.

Anderson proved that he had more left in the tank even after that. In 1989, he rushed for 1,023 yards and 14 touchdowns and scored 11 more in 1990, splitting time with rookie Rodney Hampton. When Hampton got hurt late in the season, Anderson became the bellcow back again.

O.J. rushed for 80 yards on 21 carries in the Giants’ 31-3 Divisional Playoff win over the Chicago Bears and then carried 21 times for 67 yards against the 49ers in San Francisco in the NFC Championship Game, a 15-13 New York victory.

In Super Bowl XXV, the Giants needed to establish the run vs the Buffalo Bills and eat up the clock to keep QB Jim Kelly and his Red Gun offense at bay. Anderson was up to the task, rushing for 102 yards on 21 carries in the Giants’ 20-19 win in which he was named MVP. Anderson is the only player to score a touchdown in two separate Super Bowls for Big Blue.

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