50 amazing Super Bowl facts you can drop at a bar
1
/
50
-
SB XLIX was the most watched TV show ever
The Patriots' last-second victory over the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX was the most watched telecast in television history. The 49th Super Bowl was viewed by 114.4 million viewers.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports -
And the most watched halftime show
Katy Perry and the infamous Left Shark's halftime show at Super Bowl XLIX drew even more viewers than the game itself. Her performance was watched by 118.5 million people.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports -
The first two Super Bowls were erased
The first two Super Bowls were almost lost to soap operas. Back in 1967 and 1968, the big games weren't broadcasted live, and the only known footage of them was thought to have been erased. (According to NFL Films' Steve Sabol, "they were erased to film soap operas.") Luckily, a single fan was found to have recorded the events, preserving the Super Bowls for posterity.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Credit: Getty -
Super Bowl halftime show is 30 minutes
Unlike other NFL games, the Super Bowl halftime show is an event in itself. Therefore the league allocates 30 minutes to the intermission.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Robert Deutsch, Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports -
Jerry Rice: Most touchdown catches in Super Bowl history
Jerry Rice is one of the greatest players ever, and that's in large part due to his Super Bowl performances. Rice has the record for most Super Bowl touchdown catches with eight.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports -
Jerry Rice: Most points scored in Super Bowl history
Jerry Rice's eight touchdowns helped him secure another Super Bowl record. His 48 points scored are the most in Super Bowl history.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports -
The Steelers have won the most Super Bowls
The Steelers' most recent Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl XLIII over the Cardinals was the franchise's sixth in team history. That is the most any team has ever won. The team can be affectionately called the Sixburgh Steelers.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Matt Cashore-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIRE -
Winners and losers both get paid
Winning the Super Bowl has more advantages than just a Lombardi Trophy. Players on the winning team take home $97,000 per person, while each losing player pockets $49,000.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports -
There has never been a Super Bowl overtime
Although many games have been close, there has never been a Super Bowl to reach overtime.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Richard Mackson, Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports -
Four teams have never been to a Super Bowl
The Jaguars, Browns, Lions and Texans are the only four teams to never reach the Super Bowl in the modern era.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Rick Dole, Richard Dole-USA TODAY Sports -
The first ever Super Bowl blackout
In a first in Super Bowl history, the power went out and delayed the 49ers-Ravens game in 2013. The Ravens ultimately won the game with all the lights on.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: USA TODAY Sports -
Super Bowl XLIV broke 20-year TV record
The Saints' win over Peyton Manning and the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV broke MASH's 20-year record for the most watched TV show in U.S. history.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: USATSI -
Americans eat and drink a lot on Super Bowl Sunday
On Super Bowl Sunday, Americans will drink an estimated 325.5 million gallons of beer and devour 1.25 billion chicken wings.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports -
Matt Stover: Oldest player to go to a Super Bowl
At the tender age of 42, Matt Stover became the oldest player to ever suit up for a Super Bowl.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Doug Benc -
Charles Haley has the most Super Bowl wins
Newly inducted Hall of Famer Charles Haley has the most Super Bowl rings, five, of any player in NFL history. The pass rusher won five fingers worth of rings with the 49ers and Cowboys.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Andrew Weber, Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports -
Tony Dungy: First African American coach to win a Super Bowl
After his Colts defeated the Bears in Super Bowl XLI, Tony Dungy became the first African American coach to win a Super Bowl. The opposing coach, Lovie Smith, was also an African American.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Peter Casey, Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports -
The Super Bowl is broadcast in 34 languages
The NFL might be an American sport, but Super Bowl Sunday is worldwide. The big game is broadcast around the globe in 34 different languages.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports -
Devin Hester: First player to return opening kickoff for a TD
In 2007, Devin Hester became the first and only player to ever take the opening kickoff back for a touchdown. Unfortunately, his return was not enough, as the Bears lost to the Colts, 29-17.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: (Photo: USATSI) -
Just three QBs have won 4 Super Bowls
Tom Brady, along with Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw are the only QBs to ever win four Super Bowls.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Greg M. Cooper, Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports -
First Super Bowl without roman numerals
Instead of using L to represent Super Bowl 50, this will be the first Super Bowl to not use roman numerals in its title.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports -
A host team has never played in a Super Bowl
No team that has ever hosted the Super Bowl has also played in the game. This year, Levi's Stadium, the home of the San Francisco 49ers, will host the festivities.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Kyle Terada, Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports -
Rings cost around $5,000
A flashy Super Bowl ring is not cheap. The jewelry costs approximately $5,000 each. A team usually gets around 150 for each Super Bowl victory.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: The Star-Ledger-USA TODAY Sports -
Tom Brady: Most passing yards in Super Bowl history
Tom Brady has been to a ridiculous six Super Bowls in his illustrious career, winning four of them. He currently has the most passing yards in Super Bowl history with 1,605. Kurt Warner is a distant second place with 1,156 yards.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports -
Average ticket price up 110 percent
The average ticket price at Super Bowl XLIX was a cool $6,500. That is 110 percent more expensive than the previous year.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Andrew Weber, Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports -
Rich Gannon: Most Super Bowl INTs thrown
Rich Gannon's only Super Bowl appearance was one to forget. The Raiders QB threw a record five interceptions in a loss to the Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: (Photo: USATSI) -
Broncos: Lost the most Super Bowls
The Broncos have won three Super Bowls in team history. Unfortunately, Denver also has lost an NFL-high five Super Bowls.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports -
First to say "I'm going to Disney World!"
Phil Simms, winner of Super Bowl XXI, was the first to ever say the phrase, "I'm going to Disney World!"
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY Sports -
Three teams have been to the Super Bowl eight times
The Cowboys, Steelers and Patriots have appeared in an NFL-record eight Super Bowls. In fact, the Cowboys and Steelers have matched up against each other in three Super Bowls.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: AP -
Bills and Vikings have lost four Super Bowls each
On the flip side, the Bills and Vikings have reached the Super Bowl four times with zero wins.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: James D. Smith, James D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports -
Tom Brady completed 16 passes in a row
Along with having the most passing yards in a Super Bowl, Tom Brady also has the record for most consecutive completions with 16.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports -
The trophy costs $25,000
The Lombardi Trophy is awarded to the winner of the Super Beach each year. It is made by Tiffany & Co. and weighs seven pounds, stands 21 inches tall and is worth $25,000.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports -
Tom Brady is the first QB to start six Super Bowls
Tom Brady is the first QB to ever start in six Super Bowls. He's won four of them with the New England Patriots.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports -
A Super Bowl ad costs $4.5 million
Super Bowls are known for their commercials. In 2014, a 30-second ad costed $4.5 million!
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY Sports -
Super Bowl Sunday is the second largest food consumption day
Behind only Thanksgiving, Super Bowl Sunday is the second largest day for food consumption in the United States.
(Photo: USATSI).
Credit: Benny Sieu, Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports -
$119 million wagered on Super Bowl
Last year, $119.4 million was wagered on the Super Bowl at casinos in Las Vegas.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Geoff Burke, Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports -
Super Bowl XIV had the largest crowd
The largest crowd in Super Bowl history dates back to 1979. Played in Pasadena, the Rose Bowl packed in over 103,985 fans to watch the Steelers versus the Rams in Super Bowl XIV.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: USATSI -
The 49ers have the largest margin of victory
Not every Super Bowl is an even match. The largest margin of victory came in the 49ers' demolition of the Broncos 55-10 in Super Bowl XXIV.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: USA TODAY Sports -
Russell Wilson has made Super Bowl history
Russell Wilson was the first QB to bring his team to the Super Bowl twice in his first three seasons. Wilson and the Seahawks are an even 1-1 in those games.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Joe Nicholson, Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports -
Super Bowl III = First Super Bowl
Did you know the first two Super Bowls weren't even called by that moniker? It gained the name in the third Super Bowl. The first two were called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. Catchy.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Ed Mulholland, Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports -
No team has ever three-peated
There have been eight repeat champions in NFL history, yet no team has ever won three Super Bowls in a row. By comparison, the MLB and NBA have had four and five.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Joe Camporeale, Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports -
Home and away teams alternate
Home and away teams in the Super Bowl are alternated each year. NFC teams are home for odd-numbered games, while the AFC gets the even-numbered tilts.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY Sports -
Eight back-to-back Super Bowl champions
Through 49 Super Bowls, there have been eight back-to-back champions. The Packers, Broncos, 49ers, Cowboys, Steelers and Patriots have all repeated. The Steelers are the only team to repeat twice.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: USATSI -
1.5 million people miss work the next day
Many believe that Super Bowl Sunday should be its own holiday. Approximately 1.5 million people will call in sick to work the day after the big game.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Kevin Liles, Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports -
The most fumbles in Super Bowl history
Super Bowl XXVII was one of the more sloppy Super Bowls ever played. The tilt between the Cowboys and Bills featured 12 (!) fumbles, eight by Buffalo and four by Dallas.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Getty -
The Packers won the first Super Bowl
The first Super Bowl took place on Jan. 15, 1967. The Packers defeated the Chiefs 35-10 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Credit: Getty -
Why the NFL uses roman numerals
Super Bowl 50 will be the first big game to not feature roman numerals in its title. The NFL uses roman numerals to "clarify any confusion that may occur because the NFL Championship Game -- the Super Bowl -- is played in the year following a chronologically recorded season."
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Joe Camporeale, Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports -
Longest gap between Super Bowls
The 12 years between Ray Lewis's two Super Bowl victories are the longest between wins in any players' career.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports -
Jacoby Jones: Longest play in Super Bowl history
Super Bowl XLVII was one for the ages. Not only did it have the first ever Super Bowl blackout, but it also featured Jacoby Jones's 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, which is the longest in Super Bowl history.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY Sports -
49ers: Longest Super Bowl win streak
Before losing Super Bowl XLVII, the 49ers had won all five Super Bowls it was a part of. That is the longest winning streak in Super Bowl history.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Credit: Getty -
Seventy-two footballs are used every Super Bowl
For the Super Bowl each year, there are 72 regulation footballs used in the big game. Each and every football is specially made just for the Super Bowl.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
More Slideshows
Around the Web
Promoted by Taboola