Super Bowl XXII (1988): Washington Redskins vs. Denver Broncos

Game Recap: Super Bowl XXII

The Washington Redskins captured Super Bowl XXII on January 31, 1988 at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, CA. The final score of 42–10 in favor of Washington Redskins gave the franchise one of their most memorable championship moments. Doug Williams became the first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl.

Super Bowl XXII was the 22th edition of the NFL Championship game, drawing one of the largest television audiences of the year. The game was held at Jack Murphy Stadiumin San Diego, CA, one of the premier venues in the NFL.

Key Storylines and Notable Facts

Doug Williams became the first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl.

MVP Performance: Doug Williams

Doug Williams (QB) earned the Super Bowl XXII Most Valuable Player award with a standout individual performance. The MVP award, officially known as the Pete Rozelle Trophy, has been given since Super Bowl I and recognizes the single most impactful player in each championship game. Doug Williams joins an elite list of Super Bowl MVP winners alongside Joe Montana (4 awards), Bart Starr, Terry Bradshaw, and Tom Brady.

Halftime Show: Chubby Checker & the Rockettes

The Super Bowl XXII halftime show featured Chubby Checker & the Rockettes. The halftime show has grown from a simple marching band performance in the early Super Bowls into one of the most-watched musical events in the world, routinely attracting over 120 million viewers. For a full ranking of every halftime show, see our best Super Bowl halftime shows guide.

Where Was Super Bowl XXII Played?

Super Bowl XXII was played at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, CA. The NFL selects host cities based on stadium quality, hotel room capacity, and infrastructure. For a full list of every Super Bowl location, see our Super Bowl stadiums page and Super Bowl host cities guide.

Super Bowl XXII Legacy

Super Bowl XXII added to the Washington Redskins's championship legacy. The victory secured a place in NFL history and gave the franchise's fans one of their most celebrated moments. Championship victories are often defining moments for franchises — they elevate players to legend status, validate coaching philosophies, and become permanent fixtures in sports culture.

For the complete timeline of every Super Bowl champion, visit our Super Bowl winners page. To see how this game fits into the all-time records, visit the Super Bowl records page.