Next Super Bowl MVP an Aztec
Rejoice San Diego State University alums. The Aztecs are at the center of the sports universe.
Washington Nationals starting pitcher and former Aztec star Stephen Strasburg was named World Series MVP last night, and as you might have read on SDSU’s official @GoAztecs twitter account, this marked the first time in professional sports history that two players from the same university were named their league’s postseason MVP in the same season.
Strasburg joins fellow former Aztec Kawhi Leonard who was named NBA Finals MVP last summer after the Toronto Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors.
Now, the question arises, do the Aztecs have a candidate to hit the trifecta and win the MVP award at this year’s Super Bowl? They just might.
Rashaad Penny might be San Diego State’s best hope to hoist the next Super Bowl MVP Trophy. (Photo:©Mike Siegel / The Seattle Times)
Rashaad Penny, Super Bowl MVP
Former Aztec, and current Seattle Seahawks running back, Rashaad Penny, is likely the Aztecs best bet to take home the hardware in Super Bowl LIV on February 2nd in Miami.
Penny, who was mentioned in trade rumors up until the deadline, is the No. 2 back on the Seahawks roster behind starter Chris Carson. As with any NFL running back, Penny is one play away from being the starter at any moment. Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll has always been a big fan of Penny’s and would likely keep with Seattle’s run-heavy offensive style if Penny was the lead back.
Sitting at 6-2, and right in the thick of the NFC playoff race, the Seahawks have just as good a shot as any NFC team to raise the Lombardi Trophy. As the Nationals showed everyone on Wednesday night, just get into the playoffs and anything can happen.
It would likely take a record-breaking performance for a running back to win the MVP award, so let’s get greedy and hope Penny breaks the record for most rushing yards in a Super Bowl. The current record of 204 yards was set by Washington Redskins running back Timmy Smith in Super Bowl XXII. In fact, it was Smith’s first career start, and he scored two touchdowns to go with his 204 rushing yards.
That special Super Bowl performance took place right here in San Diego at Jack Murphy Stadium, the same stadium where Penny set numerous records for the Aztecs. Smith’s effort helped lead Washington to a 42-10 win over the Denver Broncos.
Timmy Smith rushed for a Super Bowl record 204 yards in a Super Bowl XXII victory over the Denver Broncos at San Diego’s Jack Murphy Stadium in 1988.MVP. (Photo:©Peter Read Miller/Sports Illustrated)
See how I’m bringing this all together? Seriously, this is a proud moment for the Aztecs. It solidifies how good the athletic program has been on Montezuma Mesa.
Over the last decade, the Aztecs have been consistent winners in baseball, basketball, football, soccer and more. No question, each program has been churning out noteworthy professional prospects at the same time. Not bad for a mid-level school that has a distinct recruiting disadvantage in regards to our friends up the I-5. Yes, I’m calling you out, USC and UCLA.
This type of success has never overlapped in the major sports for SDSU, especially for this length of time. And no one is complaining. Go Aztecs!!!