In January 1998 running back Terrell Davis of the Denver Broncos achieved a feat that only few football players have ever accomplished when he won the Most Valuable Player award for Super Bowl XXXII. Overcoming a migraine headache that forced him to sit out the second quarter, he returned to the game, gained 157 yards, and scored a Super Bowl record 3 rushing touchdowns as the Broncos defeated the defending-champion Green Bay Packers 31-24. Conquering difficulties was nothing new for Davis, who had already proved to doubters that he could compete with the best football players in the world.

Growing up

Scary pain

Terrell Davis was born October 28, 1972, in San Diego, California. He and his five brothers were raised by his mother, Kateree, and father, Joe. Davis grew up in the Lincoln Park area of San Diego, a neighborhood ruled by gangs, drugs, and crime.

When Davis was 7 years old he...