San Francisco 49ers: Top 10 Moments in Franchise’s Super Bowl History
By Peter Panacy
No. 9: Gary Johnson Makes Dan Marino’s Life Hell in Super Bowl XIX
Result: 49ers 38, Dolphins 16
Super Bowl XIX was yet another legendary performance from quarterback Joe Montana as he and the 49ers went on to trounce quarterback Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins 38-16 in Super Bowl XIX.
But Montana wasn’t the one who helped force Marino to toss two interceptions and to be sacked four times. It was San Francisco’s defense that led the way to such an embarrassing performance by Miami’s future Hall of Famer.
And San Francisco defensive lineman Gary Johnson was the key factor in the 49ers’ defensive dominance.
Johnson finished the game with just one sack but regularly pressured Marino out of the pocket throughout the contest. And Johnson also recorded four tackles during the game.
Afterwards, Sports Illustrated tabbed Johnson as the Super Bowl’s unofficial defensive MVP. And it’s not hard to see why.
Had it not been for Montana’s stellar performance, Johnson could have been considered the game’s MVP as well.
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