The NFL only began referring to it as the Super Bowl officially in 1969 for what is known retroactively as Super Bowl 3. Since switching to the Super Bowl name, the NFL has stuck with it for more Behind the name 'Super Bowl,' and when it took flight By Bryan DeArdo Feb 1, 2025 at 12:00 pm ET • 5 min read Max McGee scored the very first TD in Super Bowl history as the Packers beat the Chiefs, The league added a roman numeral behind the name for the 1970 season with Super Bowl V. The Yale Bowl in the 1920s. | National Archives at College Park // Unrestricted Use On November 21, 1914, Yale’s football team played the first game in a brand-new stadium known as the Yale Bowl The History Behind the NFL Championship Game's Name / Editor's note: This story originally ran Feb. 3, 2019. Sports Illustrated is republishing it with updates ahead of Super Bowl 59. The Patriots' 33 points were the highest losing score in Super Bowl history, a record held until 2023, when the Eagles lost Super Bowl LVII to the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 38–35. [123] It was the Eagles' third Super Bowl appearance and their first win in franchise history. Though that name was good enough, the late Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt came up with the term "Super Bowl." Sports Illustrated reports Lamar's suggestion was "inspired by his son's 'Super Ball' toy." Ultimately, the league owners decided on the "AFL-NFL Championship Game," but Lamar's suggestion remained an option. The Super Bowl was indeed a catchier name than AFL-NFL World Championship. But what helped it along was the first matchup to officially bear the name Super Bowl, which is still regarded as one of the greatest Super Bowls in the game's 57-year history. Super Bowl, in U.S. professional gridiron football, the championship game of the National Football league, played by the winners of the league’s American Football Conference and National Football Conference each January or February. The game is hosted by a different city each year. While it is now one of the biggest sports events of the year, the Super Bowl originally got its name from a simple children’s toy.. Coined by Lamar Hunt, the Kansas City Chiefs owner, in 1966 The "Super Bowl" name was not officially recognized until the fourth renewal the next year, and the now iconic roman numerals were only added one year later when "Super Bowl V" was played. Super Bowl History + indicates Hall of Fame; Table; Date SB AFC Pts NFC Pts MVP Stadium City State; Feb 9, 2025: LIX (59) Kansas City Chiefs: Philadelphia Eagles A look back at the origin — and oddities — of the first Super Bowl. That technically is true, as an official name. But the term “Super Bowl” already was in wide, informal use by fans The owners suggested snazzy alternatives such as the "Merger Bowl," "Summit Bowl" and even “The Game.” But it was too late. By 1967, the Associated Press was reporting the name Super Bowl "grew and grew and grew—until it reached the point that there was Super Week, Super Sunday, Super Teams, Super Players, ad infinitum.” II. History of the Super Bowl Origins of the Super Bowl: Merger of the AFL and NFL. The History of the Super Bowl begins with the merger of the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL) in 1970. This merger was a significant milestone in professional football, aiming to unify the sport and increase its popularity. The Super Bowl is a game rich with history and tradition, but who has their name in the record books? The Super Bowl, now one of the largest sporting events in the world, has an intriguing origin story for its name that many fans may not know. Surprisingly, the name “Super Bowl” was inspired by a simple children’s toy, reflecting a lighthearted moment in sports history that has had a lasting impact on American culture. Super Bowl LI (New England Patriots 34, Atlanta Falcons 28, Feb. 5, 2017): In this epic game, the Patriots overcame a 25-point deficit to win in the Super Bowl's first overtime game. Super Bowl MVPs By 1967, the Associated Press was reporting the name Super Bowl “grew and grew and grew — until it reached the point that there was Super Week, Super Sunday, Super Teams, Super Players, ad With the official title being quite a mouth full, the fans as well as the media took to the short, unofficial name, Super Bowl. In 1969, the name, "Super Bowl" became official. The Green Bay Packers won the first two Super Bowls convincingly, causing many people to question if the AFL teams could compete. The very next year, the New York Jets
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |