Super Bowl Leaders: Launching The Next Generation

Leading up to Super Bowl LIX, I decided to create a three-part article series featuring some of the most impactful leaders in Super Bowl history. My purpose was to familiarize new football fans with effective leaders and key moments that helped build this extraordinary event, while also providing nostalgic experiences for those who lived through these eras.

The first article highlighted leadership perspectives and stories from pioneers who were involved in the beginning stages of the Super Bowl during the 1960s and 1970s. The second article discussed prominent leaders from the 1980s and 1990s, along with their approaches and legacies. This final chapter of the series will complete your Super Bowl journey, starting from the 2000s and extending to the present. Enjoy the ride!

A Dynasty is Born ‘The Patriot Way’

Super Bowl XXXVI marked a significant passing of the torch from a team on the brink of a dynasty to an organization that would go on to dominate the NFL for the next two decades. The St. Louis Rams were victorious in Super Bowl XXXIV and poised to secure their second championship in three seasons. However, the underdog New England Patriots pulled off one of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history. Tied in the fourth quarter, Patriots second year quarterback Tom Brady, a sixth-round pick, orchestrated a final drive in the last two minutes to set up kicker Adam Vinatieri’s game-winning field goal.

During Week 11 of the 2001 season, head coach Bill Belichick made a controversial leadership decision by naming Brady as the starting quarterback over Drew Bledsoe, a player in whom the Patriots had invested the largest contract in league history at that time: 10 years for $103 million. Brady assumed the starting role early in the season after Bledsoe sustained an injury. Belichick’s faith in Brady paid great dividends as they together won a total of six titles: 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, and 2018.

Throughout his coaching tenure with the Patriots, Belichick prepared his football teams for nearly any situation. In a 2024 event hosted by the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership, which was broadcast on C-SPAN, Belichick participated in a discussion on leadership and values. He spoke about how much of his leadership philosophy was shaped by his exposure to the military environment and emphasized that, fundamentally, he always aimed to develop “responsible, dependable, and intelligent football players” that played together as a cohesive unit. Belichick has demonstrated a remarkable ability to identify and develop talent, successfully molding teams into champions.

Tom Brady demanded excellence from his teammates. He orchestrated several game-winning drives in the fourth quarters of Super Bowls, which includes leading the Patriots to the most improbable comeback victory against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. Brady was the model of consistency, playing for 23 seasons and competing in 10 Super Bowls. After departing from the Patriots, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 and won his seventh Super Bowl in his first season with the team. In a 2023 Consello Leadership Fundamentals interview, Brady emphasized that his key to effective leadership is accountability. He stated, “You can’t ever ask someone to do something that you aren’t willing to do yourself. Therefore, it’s hard to hold people accountable if you feel above any particular job that is being asked.”

Giant Upsets

Although the Patriots dominated the 2000s and 2010s, the New York Giants defeated them twice in the Super Bowl. The 2007 Patriots became the only team in NFL history to finish the regular season with a record of 16-0. However, the Giants embarked on a remarkable playoff run as a wild card team, culminating in one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history over the Patriots. The Giants followed up with another victory over the Patriots four years later in Super Bowl XLVI. One of the biggest reasons for the Giants success was head coach Tom Coughlin, who was willing to adapt his leadership style and become more open and empathetic towards his players.

Black and Gold Never Gets Old

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been one of the most stable organizations in professional sports. Since 1969, the Steelers have had three head coaches, a testament to the patience and loyalty of their ownership. Over the last 20 years, they made three Super Bowl appearances, winning during the 2005 and 2008 seasons. Former head coach Bill Cowher was effective at building trust and communicating vision. Players like Super Bowl XL MVP Hines Ward, an underrated, hard-nosed, and selfless wide receiver, embodied what it meant to be a Steeler in the 2000s.

In the last 18 seasons with the Steelers, head coach Mike Tomlin has not experienced a losing season. Tomlin is honest, direct, and supportive. Prior to the 2022 Steelers training camp, Tomlin addressed the importance of cultivating leadership, emphasizing that an important component is allowing players to be themselves. He reiterated, “I don’t ask people to be something that they’re not.”

Ravens ‘Evermore’

Competing in the same division as the Steelers, the Baltimore Ravens have enjoyed an impressive run over the past 25 years, winning Super Bowl titles in 2000 and 2012. For 17 years, Super Bowl XXXV MVP linebacker Ray Lewis was the heart and soul of the Ravens. On the field, he inspired his teammates through his passion, intensity, and work ethic. According to Lewis, “The greatest form of leadership is servanthood.” He continues to serve his community by dedicating his time and energy to inspiring others.

Silence Helps The Sheriff

Head coach Tony Dungy guided the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl title during the 2006 season. In his book Silent Strength, Dungy, a man with a reserved personality, discussed the mindset leaders must have: “You can’t always control circumstances. However, you can always control your attitude, approach, and response. Your options are to complain or to look ahead and figure out how to make the situation better.”

For former quarterback Peyton Manning, preparation, work ethic, and accountability are fundamental principles of his leadership philosophy. Under Dungy’s leadership, he earned Super Bowl XLI MVP with the Colts and won another championship with the Denver Broncos in 2016. Perhaps his most admirable leadership quality is his commitment to his community. In honor of Manning winning the 2024 Mizel Institute Community Enrichment Award, several of his peers gave testimonials on his dedication to various causes and his community.

Not To Be Forgotten

Over the past 25 years, several leaders have emerged who not only won Super Bowls but also played pivotal roles in elevating the NFL. Super Bowl XLIV MVP Drew Brees demonstrated exceptional leadership by helping to rebuild the city of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Head coach Pete Carroll guided the Seahawks to consecutive Super Bowl appearances. His contagious energy, combined with an emphasis on competition and compassion, has fostered remarkable consistency with his former teams. Sean McVay, the current head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, leads by empowering others and prioritizes collaboration. His approach was instrumental in leading the Rams to a Super Bowl victory during the 2021 season.

Chiefs Dominance continues…

We are now just three days away from the big dance. Super Bowl LIX will feature the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs against the Philadelphia Eagles, a rematch of Super Bowl LVII just two years ago. The Chiefs, winners of three of the last four Super Bowls, have a chance to make history and become the first team to win three straight Super Bowls.

Head Coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes share a relationship built on trust. They have spent years working together and have developed a strong bond. In a 2024 NBC interview, Mahomes was asked about Reid’s leadership style and explained, “He cares about the person as me more than the player and he wants me to be the best I can be as a dad, as a husband, and then a football player.” Recently, some of Mahomes’ high school coaches were interviewed and highlighted his long-standing ability to elevate his teammates.

The Chiefs’ success speaks for itself, and they have established themselves as the most recent dynasty in the NFL. Will they continue their winning streak, or will new Super Bowl leaders emerge from the shadows? Tune in on Sunday.