The Super Bowl is the biggest sporting event in the United States. It is an annual National Football League championship game (NFL), and American football is by far the country’s most popular sport. The game attracts a huge national television audience, and corporate sponsorships make it one of the most lucrative events on U.S. television. In this article, we will explore how the Super Bowl became the biggest sporting event in America.

History of The Super Bowl

The first Super Bowl was played on January 15, 1967, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The game pitted the NFL’s champion Green Bay Packers against the American Football League’s (AFL) champion Kansas City Chiefs. The Packers won 35-10, and more than 60,000 fans attended the game. While not as large as today’s Super Bowls, this inaugural contest was still a major event that captured national attention.

The following year, two more teams joined what would become known as the AFL-NFL merger: The Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Colts. These teams competed in Super Bowl II at Miami Orange Bowl on January 14, 1968. The Colts won 16-7; however, because both leagues were now competing under one roof (so to speak), the game is often not considered part of the official Super Bowl history.

The first “true” Super Bowl was played on January 12, 1969, at Miami’s Orange Bowl. The AFL’s New York Jets defeated the NFL’s Baltimore Colts 16-7. This game is considered by many to be the most important sporting event in U.S. history, as it signified the official merging of the two rival leagues.

From there, the Super Bowl became an annual tradition. It is now always played on the first Sunday in February (recently moved from its original date in early-to-mid January). The game has been held in cities across America, though most often in warm-weather locations or indoors stadiums. The site of the Super Bowl is decided years in advance by a vote among NFL owners.

The Super Bowl has become one of the biggest global sporting events in recent years. It is broadcast to over 200 countries and seen by millions of people around the world. The game has also become a massive commercial enterprise, with corporations spending billions of dollars on advertising and Super Bowl-related promotions. So, if you’re wondering what time does the Super Bowl start and end 2023, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most Googled questions leading up to the big game.

Political & Social Influence

The game has also been used as a platform for political and social commentary. 

• In 1993, Super Bowl XXVII was played in Pasadena, California, two days after the inauguration of President Bill Clinton. During the halftime show, the rock band Pearl Jam performed their song “Jeremy,” about a school shooting. The following year, during Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami, U2 sang “Sunday Bloody Sunday” in tribute to the victims of the Northern Ireland conflict.
• More recently, Super Bowl XLIX in 2015 featured an advertisement from Coca-Cola that depicted people of various ethnicities and races singing “America the Beautiful” in different languages. The ad was seen as a response to the growing anti-immigrant sentiment in the United States at the time.

Social Issues

The game has also raised awareness about social issues such as domestic violence and sexual assault. 

• For example, in 2016, Super Bowl 50 featured an ad from the National Domestic Violence Hotline that depicted a woman receiving text messages from an abusive partner. The ad encouraged viewers to “change the conversation” about domestic violence.
• In 2017, Super Bowl LI featured an ad from 84 Lumber that told the story of a mother and daughter’s immigrant journey to America. The ad was seen as a commentary on President Trump’s proposed border wall.

Disaster Funding

• After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, the city hosted Super Bowl XLIV in 2010 as a way to boost morale and bring in much-needed tourism dollars. 
• More recently, following the devastating hurricanes in Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico in 2017, the NFL donated $1 million to relief efforts and encouraged fans to do the same.

Controversy

The game has also been a source of controversy at times. 

• In 2018, Super Bowl LII was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During the halftime show, Justin Timberlake performed his song “Rock Your Body” with a hologram of Prince. Some viewers felt this was disrespectful to Prince, who died two years earlier.
• In 2020, Super Bowl LIV was held in Miami, Florida. The halftime show featured a performance by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. However, some viewers felt that the two artists were too sexually suggestive in their performances.

Political Protest

• In 2017, several players from the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers kneeled during the national anthem to protest racial injustice in the United States. 
• The following year, several players from the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles raised their fists during the national anthem to protest police brutality.
• In 2019, several players from the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs chose to remain in the locker room during the national anthem to protest President Trump’s remarks about NFL players who had protested in the past.

Despite these controversies, the Super Bowl remains the most watched television event in the United States and is one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year.

Conclusion

The Super Bowl is the most prominent and influential American football game of the year. It is also one of the most watched television events in the United States. In addition, the game has been used as a platform for political and social commentary. It has also raised awareness about social issues such as domestic violence and sexual assault. Despite some controversies, the Super Bowl remains the most popular sporting event in the country.

Tags: National Football League, NFL, Super Bowl, USA