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Has Mr. Irrelevant Ever Won A Super Bowl?

Purdy goes from ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ to brink of Super Bowl — Irrelevant Week

Jul 27, 2025
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Purdy goes from ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ to brink of Super Bowl — Irrelevant Week

The NFL Draft, with all its fanfare and excitement, often shines a bright spotlight on the very first picks. These players arrive with massive expectations, huge contracts, and a feeling of being destined for greatness. Yet, in a way, there's another player who captures hearts and headlines, someone picked last of all. This final selection each year earns the rather charming, if a bit cheeky, title of "Mr. Irrelevant." It's a nickname that, in some respects, suggests a player who might not make a big splash, a player perhaps overlooked. But what happens when the ultimate underdog, the very last pick, goes on to achieve the sport's highest honor? Has Mr. Irrelevant ever truly won a Super Bowl?

The journey from the last pick to a Super Bowl champion seems like a tale spun from pure fantasy, almost too outlandish to make up. It’s a path filled with long odds, intense competition, and the constant need to prove doubters wrong. Yet, the history of the National Football League, actually, holds some truly remarkable stories of individuals who defied these expectations, proving that where you start in the draft doesn't always dictate where you finish in your career.

So, the question lingers: have any of these "Mr. Irrelevants" managed to hoist the coveted Lombardi Trophy? The answer, you know, is a resounding yes, though the path each player took to reach that pinnacle is very, very different and quite fascinating. We'll explore the incredible journeys of the select few who turned that final draft pick into a championship celebration.

Table of Contents

The Origins of Mr. Irrelevant

The tradition of "Mr. Irrelevant" started way back in 1976, when a former NFL player named Paul Salata decided to give a bit of special recognition to the very last pick of the NFL Draft. It was, you see, a playful way to celebrate every player chosen, no matter how late in the process. The idea was to make that final selection feel just a little bit more special, turning what might seem like an afterthought into a moment of unique recognition. This tradition has carried on for decades, giving a fun, lighthearted spotlight to players who often have to fight tooth and nail for their place on an NFL roster.

The First Mr. Irrelevant Super Bowl Champion: Marty Moore

The story of the first "Mr. Irrelevant" to win a Super Bowl is a truly inspiring one, actually. Marty Moore, a linebacker, earned this distinctive title when the New England Patriots picked him with the very last selection in the 1994 NFL Draft. His journey in the league was a testament to perseverance and hard work, proving that a late pick could certainly contribute to a winning team. Moore's career spanned eight years in the NFL, which is, in some respects, a very respectable length for any player, let alone a final draft pick.

Moore quickly made his mark, becoming the first "Mr. Irrelevant" to play in a Super Bowl. That happened in Super Bowl XXXI, following the 1996 season, when his New England Patriots faced off against the Green Bay Packers. While the Patriots ultimately lost that game to the Packers, Moore's presence on such a grand stage was, in a way, a significant achievement for a player picked last. It showed that these overlooked players could indeed reach the sport's biggest game.

His biggest moment, though, came a few years later. In 2001, Marty Moore's Patriots made it back to the Super Bowl, this time facing the St. Louis Rams. This particular Super Bowl was quite memorable for many reasons, not least because it marked the first Super Bowl victory for a young quarterback named Tom Brady. Moore, as a member of that championship team, became the first "Mr. Irrelevant" to win a Super Bowl in NFL history. It's important to note, however, that he did not appear in that specific game due to a torn Achilles injury. Despite not playing in that final game, his contribution to the team throughout the season and his overall career journey solidified his place in history as the pioneering "Mr. Irrelevant" champion. He was, to be honest, a true trailblazer for those who came after him.

Ryan Succop: Making History as a Starter

While Marty Moore holds the distinction of being the first "Mr. Irrelevant" to win a Super Bowl, the next player to achieve this feat added an even more remarkable layer to the story. Ryan Succop, a placekicker, was the final pick of the 2009 NFL Draft. His career has been a steady and successful one, and he eventually found himself playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. What happened next, you know, really cemented his place in "Mr. Irrelevant" lore.

Succop and the Buccaneers reached Super Bowl LV, played in 2021, where they faced the Kansas City Chiefs. This game was particularly interesting because the Buccaneers actually knocked off the very team that had drafted Succop years earlier, the Chiefs. That's a bit of poetic justice right there, isn't it? As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrated their Super Bowl LV victory, Succop clinched the acclaim of being, arguably, the greatest "Mr. Irrelevant" to have graced the field, given his active role in the win.

Ryan Succop became the second "Mr. Irrelevant" to win an NFL championship. But his achievement went a step further than Moore's. Succop was the first "Mr. Irrelevant" to play in and win a Super Bowl as an active player and a starter. This distinction is quite significant, as it means he was on the field, actively contributing to the victory during the big game itself. He is, in fact, the only "Mr. Irrelevant" to win a Super Bowl after playing in the big game, making his accomplishment truly unique in the history of the title. His performance in Super Bowl LV, securing points for his team, really highlighted how valuable even the last pick can be.

Brock Purdy: The Modern-Day Mr. Irrelevant Phenomenon

The story of "Mr. Irrelevant" continues to evolve, and perhaps no player has captured the public's imagination quite like Brock Purdy. Selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the very last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy quickly became that year's "Mr. Irrelevant." His rise through the ranks of the NFL has been nothing short of extraordinary, and it's, you know, a story that still feels like it's being written.

Purdy began his rookie season as the third-string quarterback for the 49ers. However, due to injuries to the players ahead of him on the depth chart, he was thrust into action. What followed was a truly impressive run. He led the 49ers to two NFC Championship games over the past two seasons, securing a win in one of them. His ability to lead a high-powered team, especially as such a late draft pick, has surprised many and, in some respects, redefined what people think a "Mr. Irrelevant" can achieve.

When Brock Purdy took the first snap of Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas, he made history. He became the first "Mr. Irrelevant" to quarterback a Super Bowl team. This was a massive milestone, not just for him, but for the entire "Mr. Irrelevant" legacy. It's almost too outlandish to make up, the idea that the first "Mr. Irrelevant" to lead a team to the Super Bowl would be a quarterback, a position so critical to a team's success. While he hasn't secured a Super Bowl victory yet, his journey to the big game itself as a starting quarterback is a phenomenal achievement. He still has many years left to achieve that ultimate goal, and his ongoing career will be, you know, very closely watched by fans everywhere.

The San Francisco 49ers are, apparently, a team with Super Bowl aspirations and the talent to capture a title. Purdy's leadership has been a key part of their success. His story serves as a fresh reminder that talent and determination can emerge from anywhere in the draft, even from the very last pick. His journey really highlights the unpredictability and excitement of professional football, proving that an underdog can, indeed, reach the highest levels of the sport. Learn more about Mr. Irrelevant history on our site, and link to this page for more player stories.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mr. Irrelevant and the Super Bowl

People often have questions about the unique history of "Mr. Irrelevant" and their connection to the Super Bowl. Here are some common inquiries.

How many Mr. Irrelevants have won a Super Bowl?

As of now, only two "Mr. Irrelevants" have won a Super Bowl in NFL history. These remarkable players are Marty Moore, a former New England Patriots linebacker, and Ryan Succop, a placekicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Their stories, you know, truly highlight the possibility of achieving greatness from the most unexpected starting points in the draft.

Who was the first Mr. Irrelevant to play in a Super Bowl?

The distinction of being the first "Mr. Irrelevant" to play in a Super Bowl belongs to Marty Moore. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in 1994 and played in Super Bowl XXXI, which was held after the 1996 season. While his team didn't win that particular game, his participation on such a grand stage was, in a way, a significant step for the "Mr. Irrelevant" legacy.

Has a Mr. Irrelevant quarterback ever played in a Super Bowl?

Yes, a "Mr. Irrelevant" quarterback has indeed played in a Super Bowl. Brock Purdy, the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, became the first "Mr. Irrelevant" to quarterback a Super Bowl team when he led the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 58. This achievement is, in some respects, a very rare and impressive feat for any player, let alone one drafted last. It's, you know, a truly groundbreaking moment for the title.

The journey of a "Mr. Irrelevant" from the final pick of the NFL Draft to a Super Bowl champion is a powerful narrative, really, about overcoming long odds. Marty Moore and Ryan Succop stand as the two individuals who have, to date, achieved the ultimate team prize. Moore was the first to win a Super Bowl ring, doing so with the Patriots in 2001, even though he was sidelined by injury for the game itself. Succop, on the other hand, made history by not only winning Super Bowl LV with the Buccaneers in 2021 but also by playing a crucial role as a starter in that victory. Then, of course, there's Brock Purdy, who, while still chasing that Super Bowl win, has already made history as the first "Mr. Irrelevant" quarterback to lead his team to the big game. These stories, actually, remind us that true talent and perseverance can shine through, no matter where a player starts their professional football career.

Purdy goes from ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ to brink of Super Bowl — Irrelevant Week
Purdy goes from ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ to brink of Super Bowl — Irrelevant Week
Purdy goes from ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ to brink of Super Bowl — Irrelevant Week
Purdy goes from ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ to brink of Super Bowl — Irrelevant Week
Has any Mr. Irrelevant won the Super Bowl in NFL history?
Has any Mr. Irrelevant won the Super Bowl in NFL history?

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