Why the Super Bowl is the Greatest Sporting Event in the World

It is widely recognised as one of the greatest and most influential sporting events in the world. It brings unparalleled excitement to fans worldwide, not only in the actual football game, but it also features an entertaining halftime show, thrilling pre-game and post-game ceremonies and other elements.

The game itself features two of the best NFL teams competing for the most prestigious trophy in the sport. The event was first introduced in 1966, and since then, it has undergone a large transformation. The way football fans engage with the Super Bowl has changed drastically. The early years of the Super Bowl felt like just another game in the calendar, in comparison to the event now, which is a full-scale entertainment event. 

The History of the Super Bowl

The Super Bowl has a storied history dating back to 1966, when the American Football League (AFL) and the NFL reached an agreement that launched the event. The Super Bowl was first introduced strictly as a championship game. Since then, the Super Bowl has evolved into a drastic cultural event that has changed over time. Originally, the event was labelled ‘AFL-NFL World Championship Game’ before changing to the Super Bowl as we know it in 1969. The first game, which was played in 1967, included the Green Bay Packers of the NFL vs the Kansas City Chiefs of the AFL. The use of Roman numerals was implemented in the fifth Super Bowl, known as Super Bowl V. Roman numerals remain a part of the game today, with every year of the event labelled in this style except for one. In the early beginnings of the Super Bowl, fans could not place wagers on the fixtures. This was up until 1986 when the first market was offered. As a result of this, NFL sports betting has grown around the sport, and the Super Bowl has become one of the most bet-on sports events in the world.

Records Set in the Super Bowl

With over 58 years since the first Super Bowl, we have seen records come and go from some of the greatest football players and teams in the history of the NFL. Some records are so impressive that they stay for decades and remain today. Two NFL teams are tied for the most prestigious record of all, the most Super Bowl victories. The teams involved are the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are tied with six Vince Lombardi trophies. 

Individually, Tom Brady, widely regarded as one of the best players ever, holds the most wins in the Super Bowl with seven. Brady also holds the most appearances in the Super Bowl with 10. The head coach with the most victories in the Super Bowl is none other than Bill Belichick, who is also widely renowned as one of the greatest head coaches ever. Belichick won six Super Bowls, and he also holds the record for the most games as a head coach in the Super Bowl with nine. Jerry Rice holds the record for the most touchdowns scored with an impressive total of eight. Rice is also tied for the most touchdowns in a single game, with three.

Notable Super Bowls

Super Bowl XLII 2008 | Giants 17 - Patriots 14

This fixture marked the 42nd Super Bowl, which saw the New York Giants defeat the heavy favourite New England Patriots in what is regarded as one of the greatest football games ever. The Patriots entered the game as heavy favourites in search of a perfect 19-0 finish to the season. In the fourth quarter, the Giants were down 14-10 when David Tyree made a leaping helmet catch at the end of a 32-yard reception to keep the Giants' drive alive. The winning touchdown was a 13-yard pass from Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress, crowning the Giants for the third time in their history.

Super Bowl LI 2017 | Patriots 34 - Falcons 28

The Super Bowl, with perhaps the most unbelievable story, was led by Tom Brady. The Patriots struggled to get going in the first half and found themselves 28-3 down in the third quarter. The Patriots would score their first touchdown with 2:06 remaining in the third quarter, with fans around the arena seeing it as a consolation. The Patriots strung together a strong fourth quarter and took the Falcons to an unexpected overtime in Super Bowl history. The Patriots won the toss and James White scored his third touchdown on the first possession of overtime. The Patriots rallied from 25 points down, which remains today as the largest comeback in Super Bowl history.