In a defensive Super Bowl, he was the star. So why wasn’t Stephon Gilmore named MVP?
His late interception essentially sealed the win. His three pass breakups led all players. And he came up with five solo tackles and a forced fumble.
So why wasn’t former South Carolina football star Stephon Gilmore the MVP of Super Bowl LIII on Sunday? That’s the question plenty of fans, several analysts and even a few fellow professionals are asking after Gilmore and his New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams, 13-3, in the lowest-scoring Super Bowl ever.
The game’s MVP went to Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, who caught 10 passes for 141 yards. But Gilmore‘s supporters argued late Sunday and into Monday that in a historically offense-light game where the punters made just as many big plays as some of the stars, the award should have gone to a defensive player on a unit that produced one of the best performances in Super Bowl history, according to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell.
Among those who said Gilmore should have been named MVP, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Calais Campbell, Chicago Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara, Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe and pundit Jason Whitlock all voiced support for the former Gamecock.
Gilmore, who now has seven years of pro experience, earned All-Pro honors this year and is widely regarded as one of the best defensive backs in the NFL. His play in the Super Bowl was the culmination of the best year of his career, and the game-winning interception was “probably one of the easiest picks I’ve had all year,” he said.
In years past, the Super Bowl MVP took home a new car as a prize, but that tradition ended several years ago, so at least Gilmore won’t be missing out on that. As a member of the winning team though, he will receiver a $118,000 bonus, per CNBC.
