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NFL legends who surprisingly never won a Super Bowl

Max Kalnitz,Mykenna ManieceFeb 11, 2024, 22:44 IST

Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino at the Super Bowl XIX, which his team lost.Mickey Pfleger/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

  • Countless star NFL players have cemented their greatness by winning the Super Bowl.
  • Many great players, however, fell short of winning the sport's greatest achievement.

Winning the Super Bowl is what every professional football player strives to accomplish.

While many players have made their mark on the sport by winning a Super Bowl or two (or more), there are many great players who fell short of winning on football's biggest stage.

On Sunday, February 11, the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will go head-to-head at Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

With the game quickly approaching, we put together a (subjective) list of the greatest NFL players who never won a Super Bowl ... but should have.

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Julius Peppers is a first-ballot Hall of Fame defensive end and linebacker who played for the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Carolina Panthers but never won a Super Bowl.

Julius Peppers in 2017.Simon Bruty/Contributor/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

Julius Peppers is a first-ballot Hall of Fame defensive end and linebacker who played for the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Carolina Panthers but never won a Super Bowl.

Julius Peppers in 2017.Simon Bruty/Contributor/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
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Linebacker Junior Seau was a star who fell short with both the Patriots and Chargers in the Super Bowl.

Junior Seau in 1996.George Gojkovich/Getty Images

Linebacker Junior Seau was a star who fell short with both the Patriots and Chargers in the Super Bowl.

Junior Seau in 1996.George Gojkovich/Getty Images
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Eric Dickerson sits atop the record board for single-season rushing yards, but he couldn't translate that success into a Super Bowl victory.

Eric Dickerson in 1984.George Gojkovich/Getty Images

Eric Dickerson sits atop the record board for single-season rushing yards, but he couldn't translate that success into a Super Bowl victory.

Eric Dickerson in 1984.George Gojkovich/Getty Images
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Warren Moon is statistically one of the best quarterbacks ever, but he is rarely talked about ... likely because he never won a Super Bowl.

Warren Moon in 1992.William R. Sallaz/Getty Images

Warren Moon is statistically one of the best quarterbacks ever, but he is rarely talked about ... likely because he never won a Super Bowl.

Warren Moon in 1992.William R. Sallaz/Getty Images
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Terrell Owens lost the only Super Bowl he ever played in.

Terrell Owens in 2002.Brian Bahr/Getty Images

Terrell Owens lost the only Super Bowl he ever played in.

Terrell Owens in 2002.Brian Bahr/Getty Images
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Cris Carter is regarded as one of the best wide receivers in NFL history, but he and the Minnesota Vikings never made it to the Super Bowl.

Cris Carter reaching for a pass in 2000.Joseph Patronite/Contributor/Getty Images

Cris Carter is regarded as one of the best wide receivers in NFL history, but he and the Minnesota Vikings never made it to the Super Bowl.

Cris Carter reaching for a pass in 2000.Joseph Patronite/Contributor/Getty Images
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Tony Gonzalez is arguably the greatest tight end to fall short of winning a Super Bowl.

Tony Gonzalez pictured on the sideline during the final minutes of his last NFL game in 2013.Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Tony Gonzalez is arguably the greatest tight end to fall short of winning a Super Bowl.

Tony Gonzalez pictured on the sideline during the final minutes of his last NFL game in 2013.Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
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LaDainian Tomlinson is widely considered one of the best running backs in NFL history, but he never made it to the Super Bowl.

LaDainian Tomlinson playing in 2006.John Cordes/Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images

LaDainian Tomlinson is widely considered one of the best running backs in NFL history, but he never made it to the Super Bowl.

LaDainian Tomlinson playing in 2006.John Cordes/Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images
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Anthony Muñoz is one of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history, but he lost two Super Bowls to the 49ers.

Anthony Muñoz kneels on the field in 1988.George Gojkovich/Getty Images

Anthony Muñoz is one of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history, but he lost two Super Bowls to the 49ers.

Anthony Muñoz kneels on the field in 1988.George Gojkovich/Getty Images
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Randy Moss set multiple league records but lost both Super Bowls he played in.

Randy Moss catching a touchdown pass in 2010.Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images

Randy Moss set multiple league records but lost both Super Bowls he played in.

Randy Moss catching a touchdown pass in 2010.Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images
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Despite four consecutive trips to the Super Bowl, Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly never won a ring.

Jim Kelly playing in 1993.Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images

Despite four consecutive trips to the Super Bowl, Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly never won a ring.

Jim Kelly playing in 1993.Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images
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Similar to Kelly, the Vikings' Fran Tarkenton made the Super Bowl three times in four years but left empty handed.

Fran Tarkenton throwing a pass during Super Bowl XI on January 9, 1977.Focus on Sport/Getty Images

Similar to Kelly, the Vikings' Fran Tarkenton made the Super Bowl three times in four years but left empty handed.

Fran Tarkenton throwing a pass during Super Bowl XI on January 9, 1977.Focus on Sport/Getty Images
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Bruce Smith is another member of the '91 to '94 Super Bowl Bills deserving of a championship.

Bruce Smith in 1996.KEVIN HIGLEY/AP Images

Bruce Smith is another member of the '91 to '94 Super Bowl Bills deserving of a championship.

Bruce Smith in 1996.KEVIN HIGLEY/AP Images
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Miami Dolphins QB Dan Marino is arguably the most prolific passer in NFL history, but he lost his lone Super Bowl game.

Dan Marino in 1999.Reuters

Miami Dolphins QB Dan Marino is arguably the most prolific passer in NFL history, but he lost his lone Super Bowl game.

Dan Marino in 1999.Reuters
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Barry Sanders has the fourth-most rushing yards in NFL history but never won a Super Bowl.

Barry Sanders playing in 1996.Focus on Sport/Getty Images

Barry Sanders has the fourth-most rushing yards in NFL history but never won a Super Bowl.

Barry Sanders playing in 1996.Focus on Sport/Getty Images
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