Seeing Ickey Woods take the postgame stage at Arrowhead Stadium last Sunday was almost too good to be true. He was a one-year wonder in 1988, who took the NFL by storm with his dance moves, nickname, and huge smile. He was completely out of the league just a few seasons later, but never to be forgotten. Nearly 35 years later, Woods is sill is a one-name celebrity, and big enough to wear his own throwback jersey. So, where does he rank for larger-than-life personalities in the Big Game? Here's the five biggest characters in Super Bowl history.
An honorable mention: Terrell Owens. He transfixed the football world during 2005 Super Bowl week, in his comeback from a mid-season ankle injury. Two years earlier, Warren Sapp was at his talkative best as the Buccaneers waltzed over the Raiders. Over three trips in four years, Shannon Sharpe enjoyed the Super Bowl week with his fast-talking, energetic rants. In his second trip to the Big Game, he engaged in a trash-talking affair with Falcons cornerback Ray Buchanan, who called him "Mr. Ed." Sharpe responded by celebrating with the foam Broncos logo on his head.
No. 5: Tony Siragusa -- The 2000 Ravens were a cast of brawlers, led by a head coach in Brian Billick who let them maraud. No one enjoyed the goofy attention of Super Bowl week more than Goose. He hammed for the camera all week, playing the everyman who happily crushed meatball-parm hoagies. His shtick during the week and the defense's historic performance drew him rave reviews. SI's cover story: "BELLY LAUGHS TONY SIRAGUSA, THE RAVENS' MASSIVE, GAP-PLUGGING, RUN-STOPPING, LIFE-LOVING DEFENSIVE TACKLE, COULD END UP AS THE TOAST OF THE TOWN IN TAMPA." He parlayed that into a TV career after his playing days.
No. 4: Deion Sanders -- No player embraced the limelight of Super Bowl week like Deion. He held court for the media in both 1995 and 1996 -- visor on sideways, sunglasses gleaming in the sun. While some players try to avoid the intense scrutiny of Super Bowl week, Deion relished it. He also craved the moment, and has two rings to show for it. He was the missing piece for the 49ers and Cowboys in their arms race, and joked about the partying he did before the game.
No. 3: Ickey Woods -- His career was so fleeting but his impact so lasting, the Ickey Shuffle has its own Wikipedia page. His rookie season was dazzling, and he helped lead the Bengals to the Super Bowl. It was a week filled with old women trying to master his dance moves and news anchors digging into how he got his name. He tore his ACL early the next season, and his career was essentially over. But his celebrity from 1988 still carries him through GEICO commercials and throwback jersey sales today.
No. 2: Jim McMahon -- Who else would pull down his pants to moon a chopper during Super Bowl week? The Bears "punky QB" epitomized the brashness of the 1985 Bears and the rollicking decade. He wore a headband taunting the commissioner. He closed down the bars on Bourbon Street. He then went out and won a ring.
No. 1: John Matuszak -- The "Tooz" was one of the craziest personalities in NFL history. He was the poster child for the hard-partying Raiders of the 1970s and 1980s. He won two rings with the organization, and loved the limelight of Super Bowl week. He acted in "North Dallas Forty," and played the iconic "Sloth" in "The Goonies." Ultimately, his hard-living cost him his life, as he died of a drug and alcohol overdose at just 38 years old. When he was in front of the cameras, he reveled in being a hero and villain.