What Year Did Doug Williams Win the Super Bowl? (Answer)

By Sarah Miller · February 6, 2027

Doug Williams won the Super Bowl in 1988, leading the Washington Redskins to victory in Super Bowl XXII on January 31, 1988. He made history as the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl and was named Super Bowl MVP after a record-setting performance.

Who Is Doug Williams?

Doug Williams is a former professional American football quarterback best known for his groundbreaking achievements in the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 9, 1955, in Zachary, Louisiana, Williams played college football at Grambling State University, where he excelled as a passer and team leader.

College Career Highlights

Threw for over 9,000 yards during his college career
Set multiple Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) records
Selected as the 17th overall pick in the 1978 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Super Bowl XXII: A Historic Victory

The pivotal moment in Doug Williams’ career came during Super Bowl XXII, when he led the Washington Redskins against the Denver Broncos. The game took place on January 31, 1988, at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California.

Why Was This Win So Significant?

First Black Quarterback to Win a Super Bowl: Williams broke racial barriers in professional football.
Super Bowl MVP: He delivered one of the most dominant quarterback performances in Super Bowl history.
Record-Setting First Half: In the second quarter alone, Williams threw for 340 yards and four touchdowns—still a Super Bowl record.

Statistic	Doug Williams (Super Bowl XXII)	NFL Super Bowl Record Context
Passing Yards	340	Second-highest in Super Bowl history at the time
Touchdown Passes	4	Tied for most in a single quarter
Passing Attempts	29	Completed 18
Completion Percentage	62.1%	Efficient under pressure
Passer Rating	112.6	Elite performance level
Rushing Touchdowns	1	Scored on a 1-yard run

Table data source:1, 2

The table above highlights Doug Williams' extraordinary statistical output during Super Bowl XXII. His 340 passing yards and four touchdown passes in just one half demonstrated exceptional command under pressure. This performance not only secured the championship but also redefined expectations for quarterbacks in high-stakes games.

Legacy and Impact on the NFL

Doug Williams’ Super Bowl win transcended sports. At a time when few Black athletes were given opportunities to play quarterback at the highest level, his success challenged long-standing biases in football.

Long-Term Influence

Paved the way for future Black quarterbacks like Warren Moon, Steve McNair, and Patrick Mahomes
Later served as Senior Vice President of Player Personnel for the Washington Commanders
Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001
Continues to mentor young players and advocate for diversity in coaching and front-office roles