Only 3 Quarterbacks Have Done It In NFL History

What quarterbacks have lost their first Super Bowl appearance and returned to win?

Len Dawson had an unconventional beginning to what ended up being a Hall of Fame career. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL. However, Dawson did not make much of an impact and was eventually traded to the Cleveland Browns. His fate with the Browns was similar to that in Pittsburgh. From that point Dawson ventured on the Dallas Texans of the AFL.

Here Len Dawson began on the journey of the leader he would become known as. Dawson appeared in his first championship game against the Green Bay Packers. The Packers won handily againstthe now Kansas City Chiefs. However, Dawson would return to face the heavily favored Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl 4. The Chiefs upset the Vikings as Len Dawson earned MVP honors in the game.

Bob Griese’s disappointing loss in his first Super Bowl appearance is ironically the beginning of a legendary Dolphins run of three consecutive Super Bowl appearances. Griese would of course win his second attempt at a world championship. His second victory and third appearance in the Super Bowl was a culmination of the Dolphins undefeated NFL season.

Griese is one of three quarterbacks from the University of Purdue to win a Super Bowl title. The others are Len Dawson and Drew brees.

John Elway famously lost his first three Super Bowls to the Giants, 49ers and Redskins respectively. The Broncos were wallapped in embarrassing fashion. It was a knock on Elway that many thought he would carry well into his retirement.

The second coming of the Denver Broncos and John Elway happened under Mike Shanahan. The Broncos boasted a premier running game with Terrell Davis. John Elway was undeniably a sentimental favorite when the Broncos entered into the Super Bowl versus the Green Bay Packers. They they returned a year later to win another one and John Elway rode into the sunset as the champion no one thought he could be.