Now that the Super Bowl has ended, you must be wondering about the origins of this iconic cultural phenomenon. How did it happen? Why is it called the Super Bowl?
From the astronomical costs of advertising to the unique traditions that surround the game, the Super Bowl is full of fascinating tidbits that highlight just how big of a deal it really is.
Here are seven facts you might not know about the Super Bowl:
The name ‘Super Bowl’ was inspired by a child’s toy.
Football on the field by mblach, 123RF
The man who coined the term, Kansas City Chiefs’ owner Lamar Hunt, said he jokingly pitched the name Super Bowl but did not expect it to stick and become the name of the cultural phenomenon that it is today.
He said in hindsight that it was likely because his children had been playing with a toy called Super Ball. Who would’ve thought that the greatest spectacle in professional football got its name from a children’s toy?
Before it was called the Super Bowl, it was the AFL-NFL World Championship Game.
NFL Logo with rows of football by alenakr, 123RF
When it began in 1967, there were two separate leagues – the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL).
The rivalry between the two leagues evolved to the AFL-NFL World Championship Game, and later better known as the Super Bowl.
One team from each league competes for the year’s win. Later in 1969, the AFL and NFL merged into one league, becoming the game as we know today.
The first winner of the Super Bowl was the Green Bay Packers.
On January 15, 1967, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in California saw its first-ever Super Bowl game.
The competition was between the NFL champion Green Bay Packers versus the AFL champion Kansas City Chiefs, where the 35-10 victory was awarded to the Green Bay Packers.
Since then, the Green Bay Packers have gone on to win another three times, while the Kansas City Chiefs won a total of three trophies.
The first-ever halftime show was performed by college marching bands.
It might not look like it, but the halftime shows came from humble beginnings and a much smaller budget.
In 1967, the first Super Bowl halftime show featured performances by the University of Arizona Symphonic Marching Band and the Grambling State University Marching Band, Al Hirt, Anaheim High School Drill Team and Flag Girls.
It slowly evolved in the 90s to what we know now as some of the most iconic halftime shows headlined by Michael Jackson, Aerosmith, Rihanna and more.
The Vince Lombardi trophy costs $10,000.
Superbowl Trophy by alenakr, 123RF
It might not be attached to the heftiest price tag in the realm of competitive sports trophies, but the Lombardi trophy still cost a pretty penny of $10,000.
The trophy, which stands at 22 inches and weighs seven pounds, is made of pure sterling silver and depicts a regulation-size football.
A 30-second Super Bowl commercial cost between $6 million to $7 million.
Woman in business suit with TV head by adam121, 123RF
“I’m only here for the commercials.” This phrase is only ever heard during the Super Bowl.
The Super Bowl is one of the most-watched television events in the United States, with over 100 million viewers tuning in each year.
Needless to say, all eyes will be on the games – which explains why advertisers are willing to pay a premium to air commercials during the game.
Depending on the type of commercial, the cost of a 30-second commercial has ranged anywhere from $6 million to $7 million in recent years.
Americans eat a lot during the Super Bowl.
Table spread of Superbowl snacks by serezniy, 123RF
On top of being the most-watched television event in the United States, it’s also one of the largest food consumption events in the country.
There have been reports stating that Americans are projected to eat 1.45 billion chicken wings during the Super Bowl weekend. It makes sense since families and friends like to gather for the big game – whether it be at home or in a restaurant.
On Sundays, we watch football!
No matter what team you’re supporting, the Super Bowl is much more than just a football game. It has become a cultural phenomenon that captivates audiences from around the world.
From the commercials to the halftime show, there's something for everyone. And while many people are familiar with the basics of the event, there are still plenty of surprising facts to discover – and we hope you’ve learned something new today!