From the Superball to the Super Bowl: A Look at the Evolution of the Championship Game
Imagine pitching to someone that they should watch hours of people tackling each other. From that description alone, it is hard to imagine that millions tune in each year to see that.
The Super Bowl is more than just tackling men tackling other men. It is a conglomerate of narrative, talent, entertainment, and sacrifice. The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League (NFL), the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is one of the biggest annual sporting events in the world.
At Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 25th, 2018, Quarterback Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos hands the ball to running back Phillip Lindsay #30. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Origins of the Super Bowl can be traced back to the 1960s, when the NFL and the American Football League (AFL) were in direct competition for players, fans, and television contracts. The AFL was formed in 1960 as a rival to the NFL, and quickly gained popularity, especially on the West Coast. The two leagues engaged in a bidding war for the best college players, and the competition between the two leagues became intense.
War was straining both sides, but peace was necessary. Negotiations between the founder of the AFL and owner of Kansas City Chiefs, Lamar Hunt, and NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle arranged a merger to occur in 1970, ending their strife. But, until then, they would hold a competition at the end of the season between their leagues’ champions.
A collaboration to announce the NFL/AFL merger in 1970. The President of the NFL Tex Schramm (Left), NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle (Middle), and AFL founder Lamar Hunt (Right). (Photo licensed by Bettmann/Getty Images)
When deciding a name, Hunt said he has, “kiddingly called it the ‘Super Bowl,’ which obviously can be improved upon.” The idea sprouted from when he saw one of his kid’s playing with a popular children's toy of the mid 1960s - a Superball. Self-proclaimed as, “the greatest ball ever created,” this toy was described by Hunt as, “a mystery ball with 1,000 bounces.”
Close-up image of an official NFL game ball, including commissioner Roger Goodell’s signature, on Invesco Field at Mile High on September 16th, 2007 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
According to the former NFL publicity director, Don Weiss, Rozelle did not like the nickname and would have called it the ‘Pro Bowl’ if it was not already in use as the league’s all-star game.
Weiss also said Rozelle’s opinion derives in that he, “was a stickler on words and grammar, and ‘super’ was not his idea of a good word. He thought ‘super’ was a word like ‘neat’ or ‘gee-whiz.’ It had no sophistication.”
However, no competing ideas were proposed, so Hunt and Rozelle settled with the competition to be branded as the “AFL-NFL Championship Game.”
Dallas Cowboys’s Tony Romo #9 holds the ball whilst under pressure by the encroaching Philadelphia Eagles at Cowboys Stadium on November 27th, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The AFL-NFL Championship Game (Super Bowl I) was played on January 15th, 1967, won by the NFL Green Bay Packers who defeated the AFL Kansas City Chiefs, 35-10.
This game was not very popular because there was no cemented rivalry. The game was not even sold out. Ed Sabol, the NFL FIlms founder, said that, “there weren’t many people on the sidelines. The first Super Bowl was not a big deal.”
Media often referred to this game as, “the World Series of football,” but there was a competing name. Hunt’s ‘Super Bowl’ nickname was gaining momentum due to media members and several players sporting the term.
Green Bay Packers training with a scrimmage at Polo Grounds, New York City. Clark Hinkel leaps through an opening - all with the goal of training to beat the New York Giants. (Photo Licensed by Bettmann/Getty Images)
Following the second AFL-NFL Championship Game, the term “Super Bowl” was widely used to refer to the game. Thus, the league adopted the name and Super Bowl III was the first officially dubbed match, which was played in January of 1969.
Early Super Bowls were seen as a novelty, and the games themselves were not considered to be major events. However, the Super Bowl began to become a national spectacle in the 1970s.
Kansas City Chiefs Jan Stenerud kicks a field goal during Super Bowl IV, 1970. Quarterback Len Dawson holds the ball for Stenerud. Minnesota Vikings lose this game 23-7. (Photo licensed by Bettmann/Getty Images)
One of the factors that helped to increase the popularity of the Super Bowl was the halftime show. In the early years, the halftime show was relatively simple, consisting of college marching bands and other local performers.
As the years went by, the halftime show evolved. Major celebrities and popular musical acts began to be featured. In recent years, the Super Bowl halftime show has become one of the most watched events of the year, attracting some of the biggest names in music. Some of these include Bruno Mars, Beyoncé, Snoop Dogg, and this year Rihanna.
Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium on February 13th, 2022 in Inglewood, California. Pictured left to right is: 50-Cent, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, and Snoop Dogg. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Another factor that has helped to increase the popularity of the Super Bowl is the increasing focus on the game itself. Over the years, many memorable moments have taken place during Super Bowls, including thrilling comebacks, last-second victories, and impressive individual performances.
Some of the greatest NFL players of all time have made their mark on the Super Bowl: Joe Montana, Tom Brady, Jerry Rice, etc. These players and their performances have helped to make the Super Bowl one of the most watched sporting events in the world.
Tom Brady #12 celebrating the Patriots’ win of Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Off the field, big brands compete each year to cultivate the most memorable commercials. These ads have millions of dollars poured into each one and have become a major part of the Super Bowl experience.
Often, people watch the game just for the ads. People’s favorite commercials are talked about as much as their favorite moments from the game. These commercials reflect our current culture, and attempt to jump on trends in the market to sway a viewer.
The Bud Knight on his horse in a widely popular Bud Light Super Bowl LII commercial. (Retrieved from Bud Light)
The Super Bowl also has significant impacts on its host cities. These impacts are so large that a term has been created to describe it - "Super Bowl effect.”
Hosting the Super Bowl has some benefits: as thousands of fans, media personnel, and corporate sponsors travel to the host city to attend the game and related events. This can result in an increase in hotel stays, restaurant visits, and spending on entertainment and shopping, which can provide a boost to the local economy.
In addition to the short-term economic benefits, the Super Bowl can also have a longer-term impact on a host city's reputation and image. The Super Bowl can raise a city's profile, attracting future investment and business opportunities.
It can also showcase the city's infrastructure, amenities, and attractions to a global audience: which can help to promote the city as a desirable destination for tourism and investment.
Metlife stadium filled with more than 80,000 fans during Super Bowl XLVIII between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos on February 2nd, 2014. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
However, criticism of the Super Bowl effect is frequent, claiming that the benefits are overstated. Costs are high for the event. Consistently, cities must construct or renovate their stadiums and other infrastructure. There are also security and public service expenses.
Some people also argue that the short-term economic benefits of hosting the Super Bowl are not evenly distributed. Low-income residents and local businesses can be negatively impacted by the influx of tourists and corporate sponsors.
Construction at the Pro Player Stadium, in Miami, Florida on August 31st, 2006. Improving the stadium in preparation for Superbowl XLI: Miami Dolphins vs. the St. Louis Rams. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the event in the past few years. In 2020, Super Bowl LIV, which was held in Miami, was played amidst growing concerns about the spread of the virus. Precautions were taken to minimize the risk of transmission, but the spread of the virus was not as concerning in the United States yet.
In 2021, Super Bowl LV, which was held in Tampa, Florida, was played under many restrictions. Some of these restrictions were reduced capacity with limits on number of fans in the stadium, increased safety measures with masks and improved cleaning practices, virtual events replacing many traditional Super Bowl events and parties, a modified halftime show with a reduced number of performers, and a unique impact on local economy.
As our understanding of the pandemic continues to evolve, so has the way the Super Bowl is being held. Super Bowl LVI loosened up restrictions caused by the pandemic, and this year we find much of these restrictions lifted.
On September 20th, 2020 in Inglewood, California, the beginning of the 2020 season games had eerily empty stands. The Kansas City Chiefs kick-off against the Loss Angeles Chargers in SoFi Stadium. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Eagles and the Chiefs will face off in Super Bowl LVII, and there will be intense battles on the field to take the victory. As always, there will be some of the most creative commercials and they will be broadcast live.
Despite the economic challenges and the pandemic, the Super Bowl remains one of the most highly anticipated and watched sporting events in the world. Every year, it brings millions of fans from around the world to celebrate the game of football.
