When was the last time a defensive player won Super Bowl MVP? Revisiting Super Bowl 50

Winning the Super Bowl MVP award is among the highest honors a footballer can receive. The accolade is given to the player with the best individual performance in the big game. A panel of 16 football writers, broadcasters, and fans vote electronically to choose the MVP.

Usually, offensive players like quarterbacks and receivers pick up the award. However, there have been a handful of occasions when defensive players have also managed to get their hands on the prize.

Von Miller is the most recent defensive player to win the Super Bowl MVP award. The linebacker clinched the award in Super Bowl 2016 when he helped the Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers 24-10.

Miller's impeccable defensive outing included six tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one pass defended. He also managed two forced fumbles, one of which was recovered in the end zone for the Broncos' touchdown.

With his special display, Miller became only the fourth linebacker to claim MVP honors at a Super Bowl.

The linebacker added another Super Bowl ring to his trophy cabinet last season when he helped the Los Angeles Rams win the Lombardi Trophy. Miller recorded two solo tackles and two sacks at Super Bowl 56.

How many defensive players have been awarded Super Bowl MVP awards?

Malcolm Smith after winning the SB MVP award with the Seahawks in 2014

Since the inception of the NFL, only 10 defensive players have won the Super Bowl MVP award. Interestingly, the award was shared by former Cowboys stars Harvey Martin and Randy White at the Super Bowl in 1978. It was the only time that co-MVPs had been chosen.

Here is a list of all the defensive players who have won Super Bowl MVP honors:

• Super Bowl 50: Von Miller, Broncos LB
• Super Bowl XLVIII: Malcolm Smith, Seahawks LB
• Super Bowl XXXVII: Dexter Jackson, Buccaneers S
• Super Bowl XXXV: Ray Lewis, Ravens LB
• Super Bowl XXX: Larry Brown, Cowboys CB
• Super Bowl XX: Richard Dent, Bears DE
• Super Bowl XII: Harvey Martin, Cowboys DE & Randy White, Cowboys DT
• Super Bowl VII: Jake Scott, Dolphins S
• Super Bowl V: Chuck Howley, Cowboys LB

The MVP award has been given to a player from the winning team every year except 1971. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley won the award in the game despite Dallas' 16-13 defeat to the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V.