There are a lot of reasons to get excited about the NFL Super Bowl. From the multi-million dollar commercial spots to the star-studded half-time show, and maybe a little American Football playing thrown in there too, it’s no wonder that 111.5million people around the world tuned in to watch the action last year – and for the 2015 Super Bowl matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, ratings are set to be even higher.

While we’re keen American Football fans at LK Performance, it’s not just the blocks, passes and snaps that have us tuning in to the Super Bowl every year. What we’re always looking forward to is discovering which Chevrolet the Most Valuable Player will be awarded, because of course, a simple trophy wouldn’t be enough!

Which car this year’s player voted MVP will roll away in won’t be revealed until next week, so for now let’s take a look at the magnificent motors by current MVP sponsor Chevrolet, and former sponsor Cadillac that some of the most recent Super Bowl star players have picked. 

2015 – Tom Brady – Chevrolet Colorado

After earning the award for the third time in his career, New England Patriots quarterback and Super Bowl 2015 MVP Tom Brady was also furnished with a glossy red Chevrolet Colorado to add to his extensive car collection. Many eyebrows were raised at Chevy’s choice of car for Brady, who earned MVP status after his team’s win over the Seattle Seahawks, as the streamlined truck isn’t exactly as impressive or luxurious as some of the previous vehicles that MVPs have taken home. On the other hand, Brady’s probably just wondering how he’ll fit it into his already packed car garage.

2014 – Malcolm Smith – Chevrolet Silverado High Country

For his defensive efforts at the 2014 Super Bowl, Seattle Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith was handed the keys to a brand-spanking-new Chevrolet Silverado High Country truck in gleaming silver (of course). We imagine the flatbed of the truck came in handy for carrying around his pride after receiving such an honourable award.

2013 – Joe Flacco – Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

A sleek Chevrolet Corvette Stingray in Torch Red was the vehicle of choice for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, MVP of the 2013 Super Bowl. As the cars were still on the production line at the time it took Flacco nine months to actually receive his Stingray, but we’re sure he didn’t mind the wait.

2012 – Eli Manning – Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning picked up the MVP title for the second time in his career in 2012, after his team emerged triumphant from their clash with the New England Patriots. He was visibly reluctant to accept the keys to his new Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport however, not because he’s filthy rich and so could afford his own, but because at the time he was a spokesperson for Toyota. Awkward.

2011 – Aaron Rodgers – Chevrolet Camaro

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers helped to lead his team, the Green Bay Packers, to success in the 2011 Super Bowl and was duly compensated with a ‘Victory Red’ Chevrolet Camaro convertible. It’s a shame they couldn’t have ordered one in his team’s signature green and yellow colours, but hey, I’m sure he was just fine with what he got.

2010 – Drew Brees – No car!

Don’t let your heart bleed too heavily for New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who was voted Super Bowl MVP 2010 but received no car due to Cadillac’s decision to withdraw their MVP car sponsorship. Brees had signed a six year contract with the Saints for $60million in 2006, so it’s fair to say that he was more than capable of buying his own Caddy.

2009 – Santonio Holmes – Cadillac Escalade Platinum Hybrid

In the last year of Cadillac’s Super Bowl MVP sponsorship, Santonio Holmes of the Pittsburgh Steelers was awarded a $85,200 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Hybrid along with the MVP title. Cadillac went to great lengths to keep the prize hush-hush however, as they had begged the government for no less than $10billion in loans to keep their struggling company on its feet, and it simply wouldn’t be kosher to publicly give away one of their most expensive vehicles to a wealthy American Football player.

2008 – Eli Manning – Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

The first time Eli Manning won MVP he wasn’t affiliated with any other car company at the time, so gratefully accepted a Cadillac Escalade Hybrid after the 2008 Super Bowl – though he was left hanging for a few more months as the first one didn’t roll out of the factory until the summer. It’s reported that he told the CEO of Cadillac himself that he wanted ‘the first one’ of these super-powered SUVs, so we bet he was waiting patiently at the gates.

2007 – Peyton Manning – Cadillac Escalade

In typical ‘big brother’ fashion, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning received the Super Bowl MVP title just a year before his younger sibling, but clearly they share the same taste as he also selected a Cadillac Escalade for himself. 

2006 – Hines Ward – Cadillac Escalade

A slick black Escalade was the vehicle of choice for 2006 Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward, as it matched the colours of his team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The MVP logos in the centre of his custom tyre rims and even on the speaker enclosures added the perfect finishing touches.

2005 – Deion Branch – Cadillac XLR

Presented with the choice of a Cadillac Escalade, SLX, CTS-V or XLR, 2005 Super Bowl MVP and former New England Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch plumped for an XLR in black with ebony interior. Clearly he didn’t start a trend, but in 2014 he decided that he just had too many cars and put his MVP special XLR up for sale. Well, if you’ve earned it, you can do what you want with it.