Timmy Smith may not be a household name, though it may have been for a brief period of time in early 1988 (1987 season) when he rushed for 204 yards and two touchdowns in Super Bowl XXII when the Washington Redskins beat the Denver Broncos 42-10.
Smith was a rookie– drafted by Washington in the fifth round and appearing in just seven regular season games before being thrust into a contributing role for the playoffs. Smith ran for 66 yards against Chicago and 72 yards against Minnesota before being named the starter for the Super Bowl and dominating with 204 yards against Denver– setting an NFL record that still stands today.
Timmy Smith held out prior to the next season in hopes of reworking his contract. He ultimately reported to camp, but reports stated he was overweight and was replaced as the starter after just eight games. Smith finished his career with 602 total regular season rushing yards and only had one carry after his career with Washington– for six yards at a member of the Dallas Cowboys in 1990.
He is trailed by Marcus Allen, who ran for 191 yards in Super Bowl XVIII, and Washington’s John Riggins who ran for 166 yards in Super Bowl XVII. Will the record remain in tact after this Sunday’s Super Bowl? Eagles running back Saquon Barkley will try to break it, having rushed for over 2,000 yards in the regular season and an additional 442 yards in three playoff games this year.