After catching the game-winning touchdown from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, wide receiver Santonio Holmes became the first former Ohio State player to be named the game's most valuable player.
Holmes — who played for the Buckeyes from 2002-2005 — finished the game with nine receptions for 131 yards, none bigger than that the one in the back corner of the end zone with 35 seconds remaining in the game.
"You talk about what it means to go through those reps throughout the month of January, February at Ohio State," he said. " You think about all the times that you can make the biggest play in the world. Every rep, every mistake, every opportunity to get better is won right now. That's when you become great."
Holmes, who also briefly played for the Chicago Bears before retiring as a Steeler last October, also won a national championship at Ohio State and two state titles at Glades Central High School in Belle Glade, Florida.
