SAN DIEGO -- It took Doug Williams less than 15 minutes to destroy a myth that took decades to evolve.
The first black quarterback to start a Super Bowl directed Washington on five consecutive touchdown drives in the second period Sunday in leading the Redskins to a 42-10 Super Bowl rout of the Denver Broncos. Williams completed 18 of 29 passes for 340 yards and four touchdowns in earning Most Valuable Player honors.
Williams, who helped Tampa Bay reach the NFC title game nine years ago before leaving for the USFL, was under immense pressure for the two weeks preceding the Super Bowl. He was repeatedly asked for his thoughts about breaking the Super Bowl racial barrier, including one questioner who began with the phrase, 'You've been a black quarterback all of your life, Doug.'
Excelling in the clutch at the game's most demanding position, Williams rebounded from a 9 for 26 performance in the NFC title game triumph against Minnesota. Coach Joe Gibbs named Williams his starting quarterback after a series of dismal performances by Jay Schroeder, a 1986 Pro Bowl selection.
'I look at myself and say I'm blessed to get a chance to play in a Super Bowl,' said Williams, who signed with the Redskins on Aug. 11, 1986 after three seasons in the USFL. 'I didn't come to the Redskins as a black quarterback -- I just came here as a quarterback. I never judge myself, I let others do the judging.'
Saturday, Williams was forced to visit a dentist for root canal treatment. Things didn't improve quickly for him or the Redskins. Denver took a 10-0 lead six minutes into the opening quarter as Williams completed just one of his first four passes.
Williams twisted his left knee late in the period when he slipped on the grass and was sacked by Rulon Jones. Schroeder came in for two plays before Williams returned on Washington's next possession.
On first down from the 20, Ricky Sanders broke free past Mark Haynes and took Williams' pass for an 80-yard score, tying Kenny King of the Raiders for the longest reception in Super Bowl history. Williams faced third-and-1 from the Denver 27 on the next drive before finding Gary Clark in the end zone for a 14-10 lead.
After Timmy Smith's 58-yard TD dash with 6:27 remaining, Williams spotted Sanders for a 50-yard TD and a 28-10 advantage. When the Redskins got the ball on their 21 with 2:14 left in the half, Williams exploited Denver again.
A 43-yard burst by Smith to the Denver 35 and a 21-yard catch by Sanders set up an 8-yard scoring pass to Clint Didier. In the decisive second quarter, Williams completed 9 of 11 passes for 228 yards and four TDs.
'This was a tribute not only to a black quarterback, but to a great quarterback,' said Washington owner Jack Kent Cooke, who signed Williams as a backup quarterback for $475,000. 'If Joe Gibbs would have told me it would cost $875,000 to get Williams, I would have told Joe to get him, but I would have said it a little softer.'
Just months after Williams left the Buccaneers in 1983 because of a contract dispute, his wife died from cancer. He was almost dealt to the Raiders this season, but Schroeder's erratic play gave Williams a chance.
'Once Doug got in the groove in the second quarter, he was great,' Gibbs said. 'He's experienced so many downs in his life, he's one of the great success stories.'