Few sporting events command as much attention and excitement as the Super Bowl. Today it stands as a de facto national holiday, a rare moment when tens of millions of Americans engage in the same activity. But it wasn’t always that way.
Before the rise of television, the Super Bowl was hardly a cultural phenomenon. Television democratized access to football, allowing the game to expand its reach. TIME called it the “Super Show” in 1977, comparing its cultural impact to that of electing a president or watching American astronauts walk on the moon: “Through its sophisticated and expensive techniques, television has forged a football game into the nation’s single largest shared experience.”
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Last year's game marked the third-most watched television broadcast in history, with an estimated 113 million people tuning in to watch the game, halftime show, and commercials.
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Read below for more fun facts about the history of the Super Bowl.
Who invented the Super Bowl?
The first Super Bowl took place in 1967 after the two competing football leagues—the NFL and AFL—negotiated a merger agreement in which they would formally join together and play a championship game at the end of each season. Team owners from both leagues negotiated the deal, hoping it would lead to more profitability and better competition.
Lamar Hunt, owner of the AFL’s Kansas City Chiefs who played an active role in merger negotiations, jokingly suggested calling the new championship game the “Super Bowl,” drawing inspiration from his children’s “Super Ball” toy. “If possible I believe we should ‘coin a phrase’ for the Championship Game,” Hunt wrote to NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle in 1966. “I have kiddingly called it the 'Super Bowl,' which obviously can be improved upon." Hunt later said that the name was “far too corny” to ever be used on the big stage, with Rozelle proposing calling it the “Big One” or the “Pro Bowl.”
As they struggled to pick a name, the first matchup between the two leagues was dubbed the “AFL-NFL World Championship Game,” though sportswriters and fans found the name cumbersome. In 1969, the Super Bowl moniker became the official title and the two leagues merged in 1970.
Which team won the first Super Bowl?
The NFL’s Green Bay Packers, led by Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, hoisted the first-ever championship trophy in 1967 after a 35-10 win over the AFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. Packers quarterback Bart Starr was named Most Valuable Player, completing 16 of 23 passes for 250 yards and two scores during the game.
It was the only Super Bowl game in history that failed to sell out, with tickets around $10 to $15 that were thought to be overpriced, and a matchup that featured teams from smaller, midwestern cities. The entertainment also didn’t feature the same star power that later Super Bowls would command, but instead the University of Arizona marching band, trumpeter Al Hirt, and two men with jet packs zooming in the sky. 4,000 pigeons were also set loose, some of which left droppings on the crowd.
After the game, Lombardi told reporters that even the best team in the AFL “doesn’t compare with the top NFL teams.” Two years later, an AFL team won its first Super Bowl as the New York Jets, led by Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath, upset the NFL’s Baltimore Colts 16-7 in Super Bowl III.
Which team has won the most Super Bowls?
The Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots are tied for most Super Bowl wins in NFL history with six each, followed by the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys with five wins apiece.
The Kansas City Chiefs, who are facing the 49ers on in Super Bowl LVIII, are three-time champions and have appeared in four of the last five Super Bowls. The 49ers’ last Super Bowl appearance was in 2020—also against the Chiefs.
While the Chiefs and 49ers are accustomed to the big stage, there are 12 teams yet to win a Super Bowl and four teams that have never appeared in one, including the Detroit Lions who were narrowly eliminated in this year’s NFC championship game. The other teams that have never appeared in a Super Bowl are the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans.
What is the biggest win in Super Bowl history?
The biggest blowout in Super Bowl history took place in 1990, when the San Francisco 49ers dominated the Denver Broncos 55-10. Led by one of the greatest football duos of all time—quarterback Joe Montana and wide receiver Jerry Rice—the 49ers entered the game as 12-point favorites but quickly surpassed that modest spread.
Montana compiled a passer rating of 147.3, the second-highest in Super Bowl history, and threw for a then-record five touchdown passes—three of which went to Rice. Broncos quarterback John Elway, a Hall of Famer, finished with a 19.4 passer rating, the third lowest in Super Bowl history.
What was the craziest Super Bowl comeback?
Quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots pulled off the most miraculous Super Bowl comeback seven years ago in a 34-28 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons. Down 28-3 with 8:31 to go in the third quarter, the Patriots would go on to score 31 unanswered points on five consecutive drives, including two successful 2-point conversions to take the game to overtime. Sorry for the reminder, Falcons fans.
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Introduction
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Television's Impact on the Super Bowl
Television played a crucial role in transforming the Super Bowl into the cultural phenomenon it is today. Before the rise of television, the Super Bowl was not widely known or followed. However, with the advent of television, the game gained widespread popularity and became a shared experience for millions of Americans.
Television democratized access to football, allowing the game to reach a larger audience. It provided sophisticated and expensive techniques that enhanced the viewing experience, making the Super Bowl the nation's single largest shared experience. The impact of television on the Super Bowl can be compared to significant events like electing a president or watching American astronauts walk on the moon.
Invention of the Super Bowl
The Super Bowl was invented as a result of a merger agreement between the NFL (National Football League) and AFL (American Football League). The two leagues negotiated a merger and decided to play a championship game at the end of each season. Team owners from both leagues were involved in the negotiations, aiming to increase profitability and improve competition.
Lamar Hunt, the owner of the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs, played an active role in the merger negotiations. He jokingly suggested calling the new championship game the "Super Bowl," drawing inspiration from his children's "Super Ball" toy. The name was initially considered corny, and other suggestions like the "Big One" or the "Pro Bowl" were proposed. However, the name "Super Bowl" eventually stuck, and it became the official title in 1969 when the two leagues merged.
The First Super Bowl and Winning Teams
The first Super Bowl took place in 1967, and the NFL's Green Bay Packers emerged as the champions. Coached by Vince Lombardi, the Packers defeated the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs with a score of 35-10. Packers quarterback Bart Starr was named the Most Valuable Player of the game.
The Green Bay Packers' victory in the first Super Bowl was significant, but the game itself did not sell out. Tickets were considered overpriced, and the matchup featured teams from smaller, midwestern cities. The entertainment during the game included the University of Arizona marching band, trumpeter Al Hirt, and two men with jet packs. Despite these factors, the Super Bowl grew in popularity over the years, attracting more star power and larger audiences.
In terms of overall Super Bowl wins, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots hold the record with six championships each. The San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys follow closely with five wins apiece. The Kansas City Chiefs, who faced the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, are three-time champions and have appeared in four of the last five Super Bowls.
Notable Super Bowl Moments
The Super Bowl has witnessed several memorable moments throughout its history. One of the biggest blowouts in Super Bowl history occurred in 1990 when the San Francisco 49ers dominated the Denver Broncos with a score of 55-10. Led by quarterback Joe Montana and wide receiver Jerry Rice, the 49ers showcased their dominance in that game.
Another notable moment was the miraculous comeback by the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI. In 2017, the Patriots overcame a 28-3 deficit against the Atlanta Falcons and won the game in overtime with a score of 34-28. This comeback is considered one of the craziest in Super Bowl history, showcasing the resilience and determination of the Patriots and their quarterback, Tom Brady.
Conclusion
The Super Bowl has evolved from a relatively unknown championship game to a cultural phenomenon that captivates millions of viewers each year. Television played a pivotal role in its rise to popularity, and the game has seen historic moments and legendary teams throughout its history. Whether it's the invention of the Super Bowl, the first championship game, or the most memorable comebacks, the Super Bowl continues to be a significant event in American sports culture.
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