The Most Memorable Moments in Super Bowl History

From the original Gatorade shower to the Helmet Catch. What's your favorite memory?

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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It would seem that for all the hype leading up to it, the Super Bowl should invariably disappoint every year. Expectations are always sky high, and for the game’s stars to come through each time weighs the game down with unrealistic projections of glory.

Every year, though, the game manages to deliver at least one incredible, lasting image or moment. There’s something about the big stage that brings out the best in many players, and for them the Super Bowl cements their status as legends in the rich history of the NFL. Like when Marcus Allen ran for a 74-yard touchdown run in Super Bowl XVIII and Adam Vinatieri's game-winning field goal that jump-started the New England Patriots dynasty. Some instead choose to use the Super Bowl as a launching pad to infamy, as their blunders both on and off the field have made them household names for all the wrong reasons. Moments like Barrett Robbins hiatus to Tijuana and Jackie Smith's infamous wide-open drop. If you believe that it’s better to be remembered for something bad than not be remembered at all, these guys might beg to differ.

We took a look at all of these stories of both success and failure, of joy and sorrow, and now give to you the Most Memorable Moments in Super Bowl History.

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30. "Don't Kick it to Devin!"

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29. Thurman Thomas Loses His Helmet

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28. Max McGee's Circus Catch

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27. "How long have you been a black quarterback?"

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26. Eugene Robinson Gets Roasted

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25. Barret Robbins' Bender

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24. Tracy Porter's Pick Six

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23. Vince Lombardi Being Carried Off Field

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22. The Original Gatorade Bath

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21. Big Ben to Holmes FTW

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20. Garo Yepremian's Gaffe

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19. Whitney Houston's National Anthem

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18. The Fridge Scores a TD

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17. Desmond Howard's 99-Yard TD Return

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16. Kurt Warner for MVP

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15. 49ers Epic Goal Line Stand

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14. The Guarantee

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13. Jackie Smith Becomes the Sickest Man in America

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12. Bradshaw to Stallworth

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11. Elway's Spinning Scramble

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10. Leon Lett's Premature Celebration

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9. John Riggins' TD Run on Fourth and 1

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8. Janet Jackson's "Wardrobe Malfunction"

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7. Montana to Taylor

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6. Swann's Miraculous Catch

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5. Marcus Allen's 74-yard TD Run

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4. "Wide Right!"

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3. Vinatieri's Game Winner

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2. A Game of Inches

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1. Helmet Catch

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