Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III earned the MVP title of Super Bowl LX following Seattle’s 29-13 triumph over the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday. Walker rushed 27 times for 135 yards and caught two passes for 26 yards, becoming the first running back since Terrell Davis in Super Bowl XXXII (1997 season) to win the Super Bowl MVP award.
Walker Joins Elite Group of Running Backs to Win Super Bowl MVP
Walker’s achievement puts him among a distinguished group of running backs who have won the Super Bowl MVP, including legendary players such as Larry Csonka, Franco Harris, John Riggins, Marcus Allen, Ottis Anderson, Emmitt Smith, and Terrell Davis. Remarkably, he became only the fifth offensive player in history to receive the MVP without scoring or throwing a touchdown, joining Joe Namath, Fred Biletnikoff, Deion Branch, and Julian Edelman, according to ESPN analyst Adam Schefter.
Historic Rushing Performance Sets Walker Apart
The 25-year-old’s 135 rushing yards were the highest in a Super Bowl game in nearly 30 years, surpassing all players except Davis, who ran for 157 yards. Walker also joined Timmy Smith and Marcus Allen as one of the few players to achieve multiple runs exceeding 25 yards in a Super Bowl, including notable runs of 29 and 30 yards in a three-play sequence that helped set up Seattle’s second field goal. By halftime, Walker had already accumulated 94 yards on 14 carries, marking the second-best first-half rushing performance in Super Bowl history.
Walker’s Impact Beyond the Scoreboard
Although a 49-yard run was nullified by a holding penalty on center Jalen Sundell, denying him a touchdown, Walker continually advanced the Seahawks’ offense. He accounted for nearly 48% of Seattle’s offensive yardage through the first three quarters and played a crucial role in positioning kicker Jason Myers for success. Myers made history by becoming the first kicker to convert five field goals in a Super Bowl game, with successful attempts from 33, 39, 41, 41, and 26 yards.
Stepping Up After Injury to Become Playoff Star
Walker assumed a leading role after teammate Zach Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL during the Divisional Round against the San Francisco 49ers. In the postseason, Walker carried the ball 65 times for 313 yards at an average of 4.8 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns. He also caught nine passes for 104 yards. His performance made him the first player in Seahawks history to achieve over 100 scrimmage yards in three consecutive playoff games. His streak extended to four straight games with 100 or more scrimmage yards, including the regular season finale against the 49ers in Week 18.
Overcoming Early Health Challenges and Looking Ahead
Walker’s football journey faced a serious challenge in 2018 during his senior year at Arlington High School in Tennessee when he battled blood clots in both lungs, putting his future in question. Since then, he has earned the nickname Thunder Shoes and maintains a humble, hardworking mindset within Seattle’s locker room. Following his historic playoff run and MVP honors, Walker is entering unrestricted free agency, attracting significant interest. Despite likely increased contract demands, the Seahawks have expressed a strong desire to keep him on their roster moving forward.
Kennth Walker is the fifth offensive player in Super Bowl history to be named Super Bowl MVP while not accounting for a touchdown, scoring or throwing, joining: Jets QB Joe Namath (SB III), Raiders WR Fred Biletnikoff (SB XI), Patriots WR Deion Branch (SB XXXIX) and Patriots WR… https://t.co/vrmBo3CBoN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 9, 2026
