Though the National Football League (NFL) was formed in 1920, the first Super Bowl was not held until forty-seven years later. With the creation of the American Football League (AFL) in 1960, the owners of the NFL and AFL decided to host a championship game between the organizations, which became known as the Super Bowl. In 1966, owners of the NFL and the AFL agreed to merge by 1970. Starting in 1970, Super Bowls became games between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC) that are part of the NFL.
On January 15, 1967, Super Bowl I was held between the Green Bay Packers (NFL) and the Kansas City Chiefs (AFL) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Packers defeated the Chiefs 35-10.
Super Bowl V was the first Super Bowl of the modern era. It was held on January 17, 1971 between the Baltimore Colts (AFC) and the Dallas Cowboys (NFC) at the Miami Orange Bowl. The Colts defeated the Cowboys 16-13.
On the History Channel website is a list of interesting facts about the Super Bowl. Some of them include:
- Super Bowl Sunday is the second largest food consumption day in the United States besides Thanksgiving.
- Because the football season runs into two calendar years, Roman numerals are used to identify each Super Bowl.
- The Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns are the only teams that haven't played in a Super Bowl.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots each have six Super Bowl victories—the most of any team. The Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers each have five wins.
Super Bowl LVIII will be held on February 11, 2024 between The Chiefs and the 49ers. The game will start at 6:30 PM.
In anticipation of the Super Bowl, you may want to listen to the Nightcap podcast with former NFL players Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco Johnson. Sharpe and Johnson provide insightful analysis of NFL teams and players. You should also check out the New Heights podcast with Travis and Jason Kelce.
Michael Walsh is an Adult Services Librarian at the Will Library. He is a New York Giants fan.