Kenneth Walker III Breaks the Mold, Becomes First RB in 28 Years to Win Super Bowl MVP
For all the talk about how defense wins championships, it was a running back who stole the show on Super Bowl Sunday. Kenneth Walker III didn’t just show up-he took over. While the Seattle Seahawks’ defense did its part in a dominant 29-13 win over the New England Patriots, it was Walker who etched his name into NFL lore, earning Super Bowl MVP honors with a performance that was as powerful as it was historic.
Walker churned out 135 yards on 27 carries, slicing through New England’s front like a hot knife through butter. In a league that’s been quarterback-centric for decades, Walker reminded everyone just how game-changing a dynamic running back can be. And in doing so, he ended a 28-year drought for the position-becoming the first RB to win Super Bowl MVP since Terrell Davis did it back in Super Bowl XXXII.
A Historic Night for a Position Long Overlooked
Let’s put this into perspective. Since Davis ran wild for 157 yards and three touchdowns against the Packers in January of 1998, we’ve seen some legendary backs reach the Super Bowl stage.
Marshall Faulk was the engine behind the “Greatest Show on Turf.” Jerome Bettis capped off a Hall of Fame career with a ring.
Marshawn Lynch bulldozed the Seahawks to their first title. Just last year, Saquon Barkley helped lead his team to the mountaintop.
But none of them walked away with the MVP hardware.
That’s what makes Walker’s performance so significant-not just for his own career, but for running backs everywhere. In an era where the position is often seen as replaceable, Walker delivered a reminder that elite talent in the backfield can still be the difference on the biggest stage.
Big Plays on the Biggest Stage
Walker didn’t just pile up yards-he made impact plays. He became only the third running back in Super Bowl history to record multiple rushes of 25 yards or more, joining Timmy Smith (Super Bowl XXII) and Marcus Allen (Super Bowl XVIII).
His longest burst of the night? A 30-yard dash that set the tone and sent a clear message: the Patriots’ defense had no answer for him.
This wasn’t just a volume performance. It was explosive, efficient, and timely-everything you want from a feature back in a championship game.
A Career on the Rise
What makes this even more impressive is that Walker is just getting started. Drafted in the second round back in 2022, he’s only in his fourth season. And while he’s had a solid regular-season career to this point-1,027 rushing yards on 4.6 yards per carry and five touchdowns in 2025-this postseason run could be the launching pad for something even bigger.
In 59 career games, Walker has racked up 3,555 rushing yards on 821 attempts. That’s a strong foundation, but if Sunday night is any indication, he’s only scratching the surface of what he can become.
What’s Next for Seattle?
The Seahawks have been here before-winning a Super Bowl and then coming up just short the following year. But with Walker leading the charge and a defense that proved it can dominate, this team has the pieces to make another run. Going back-to-back is one of the toughest feats in football, but Seattle’s got the formula: a balanced attack, a physical identity, and now, a running back who’s proven he can carry the load on the sport’s biggest stage.
Walker’s MVP performance wasn’t just a throwback to the glory days of the running back-it was a statement. And if he continues on this trajectory, it might not be the last time we see him holding up a trophy in February.