When we think of bowl games we think of the grandiose and iconic bowl names from college football. The Cotton Bowl, the Rose Bowl, the Fiesta Bowl and the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. So why are we stuck with the title ‘Super Bowl’ for what is supposed to be the best football game in the known universe? ‘Super’ seems like a poor word to describe a game that will be watched by 100 million Americans. Way back in 1966 the AFL and NFL merger gave birth to what we know now as the ‘Super Bowl’ era and the first game was actually called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game or the ANWCG. Unfortunately, life was pretty dull in the mid-60s and the best word they could come up with to describe the matchup between the two best pro football teams in the world was ‘Super’. They had Superman so super was good enough apparently. Rumor has it, Kansas City Chief owner Lamar Hunt jokingly called it the Super Bowl after he got hit below the belt with one of his kid’s super balls and the name stuck, lucky us.
So here we are in 2020 with a new decade, a new Super Bowl match-up and no New England Patriots – which is just the way we like it. Speaking of New England, this is the first Super Bowl in four years that doesn’t include the cheating New England Patriots. Is there any other franchise in sports with a more documented history of cheating, rule bending and bullying than the New England Patriots? They make the Houston Astros blush. Some of their scandals include under reported deflategate, deflategate, spygate, cheating in Super Bowl XXXVI, cheating in the Super Bowl XXXIX, Brady bullies officials, list of NFL rule changes to stop Patriot cheating, the Brady rule, hiring a savant to bend rules and this season filming the Cincinnati Bengals. At least we don’t have to worry about them going to a Super Bowl this decade.
Where was I? Oh yeah, the matchup. Super Bowl 54 (LIV) is this Sunday in sunny and humid Miami and features two evenly matched teams. The Kansas City Chiefs, who lost to the New England Patriots last year in the AFC Championship game broke through this year to make it to their first Super Bowl in 50 years. For those of you who don’t know, there was no Internet in 1969, no cable TV, no Smartphones and in some places no soap. On the other side of the ball are the San Francisco 49ers. Here is a video of a 49er fan watching their team play last season. This will mark their 7th trip to the big game and only their second time facing a phenomenal quarterback. Way back in the 80s the 49ers faced Miami Dolphin quarterback and Hall of Famer Dan Marino in what was supposed to be the first of many Super Bowl appearances for Marino, Super Bowl XIX. It turned out to be his lone appearance and a loss he has forever been reminded about. Patrick Mahomes, the Chief’s quarterback is like Marino, a once in a generation talent and he will have to prove himself against a great defense in the 49ers. If the 49ers win, it will be their 6th Super Bowl victory and will tie them with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl victories. If Kansas City wins it will be their 2nd win in 50 years.
As an ad man, one of the best parts of the Super Bowl is watching the commercials. My favorite Super Bowl commercial favorite of all time is Apple’s 1984 spot. Here is a sneak preview of this year’s Super Bowl spots here.
Finally, why is the NFL still using roman numerals? For those of us that didn’t grow up reading stone tablets they will be wondering what the hell does LIV mean? It looks like LIVE missing an E which is probably how Florida Man spells it anyways. But enough already with the roman numerals, nobody cares. Once L became 50, we suddenly lost interest. We don’t even teach cursive in schools anymore, why are we keeping roman numerals in the title of the most important game of the year? After all – it’s just super.
Speaking of 54, here is a pic of Andy Warhol, cradle robber Calvin Klein, Brooke Shields and a sweaty Jimmy Garoppolo hanging out at Studio 54.
What is the Superbowl?
Super Bowl, in U.S. professional gridiron football, the championship game of the National Football League (NFL), played by the winners of the league’s American Football Conference and National Football Conference each January or February.
Who has the most Super Bowl rings?
Tom Brady, six as starting quarterback with New England Patriots, earning the most rings in NFL history as a player in any position
Where is the Super Bowl this year?
Super Bowl 54 is in Miami, Florida this year
Who won the Superbowl last year?
The New England Patriots