Denver Broncos were playing in the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year. The Broncos were hoping they would be lucky in Super Bowl XXII, as they were beaten by the New York Giants in the Championship game last year. Quarterbacks have provided more than a few memorable performances in Super Bowls. There was Joe Namath's prickly prediction-come-true in Super Bowl III, Terry Bradshaw's four touchdown passes in Super Bowl XIII, Jim Plunkett's storybook comeback in Super Bowl XV and Phil Simms' near-perfect marksmanship in Super Bowl XXI. Based on statistics alone, Doug Williams' wonderful work in Super Bowl XXII would put him among those elite names. But Williams' place in football history can't be based just on statistics. After 21 years of Super Bowls and another 34 years of National Football League title games before that, a black quarterback finally played in pro football's premier event.

And he played sensationally, earning Most Valuable Player honors while leading the Washington Redskins to their second National Football League (NFL) championship in six years. The Denver Broncos broke in front 10-0 when quarterback John Elway threw a 56 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ricky Nattiel on the Denver Broncos' first play from scrimmage. Following a Washington Redskins punt, Denver's Rich Karlis kicked a 24-yard field goal to cap a seven-play, 61-yard scoring drive. The Redskins then erupted for 35 points on five straight possessions in the second period and coasted thereafter. The 35 points established an National Football League (NFL) postseason mark for most points in a period. Redskins quarterback Doug Williams led the second period explosion by passing for a Super Bowl record tying four touchdowns, including 80 and 50 yard passes to wide receiver Ricky Sanders, a 27-yard toss to wide receiver Gary Clark, and an 8 yard pass to tight end Clint Didier. Washington Redskins scored five touchdowns in 18 plays with total time of possession of only less then six minutes Overall, Williams completed 18 of 29 passes for 340 yards and was named the game's most valuable player.

His pass yardage total eclipsed the Super Bowl record of 331 yards by Joe Montana of San Francisco in Super Bowl XIX. Sanders ended with 193 yards on nine catches, breaking the previous Super Bowl yardage record of 161 yards by Lynn Swann of Pittsburgh in Game X. Rookie running back Timmy Smith was the game's leading rusher with 22 carries for a Super Bowl-record 204 yards, breaking the previous mark of 191 yards by Marcus Allen of the Raiders in Game XVIII. Smith also scored twice on runs of 58 and 4 yards. Washington's six touchdowns and 602 total yards gained also set Super Bowl records. Washington Redskins cornerback Barry Wilburn had two of the team's three interceptions, and strong safety Alvin Walton had two of Washington's five sacks. Washington Redskins defeated Denver Broncos 42-10 in Super Bowl XXII on January 31, 1988, in San Diego, California, to earn its second victory this decade in the National Football League (NFL) Championship Game. The Redskins, who also won Super Bowl XVII, enjoyed a record-setting second quarter en route to the victory. The game, played for the first time in San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium, drew a sellout crowd of 73,302. According to A.C. Nielsen figures, the ABC broadcast of the game was viewed in the U.S. on television by 115,000,000 people. The game was seen live or on tape in 60 foreign countries, including the People's Republic of China, and CBS's radio broadcast of the game was heard by 13.7 million people. Redskins quarterback Doug Williams was named the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP), completing 18 of 29 passes for 340 yards, with four touchdowns and one interception. ABC televised the game in the United States, with announcers Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf, and Frank Gifford.