Let’s rewind to 1966. Professional football was splitting fans between the upstart American Football League (AFL) and the established NFL. The leagues agreed to merge, and their first championship game was simply called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. Catchy, right? It was about as exciting as a bowl of plain oatmeal.
The name “Super Bowl” was actually coined by Lamar Hunt, the founder of the AFL and owner of the Kansas City Chiefs. Hunt had watched his daughter playing with a “Super Ball”—that ultra-bouncy rubber toy that could practically defy gravity. The word “bowl,” of course, came from college football’s traditional postseason games (Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, etc.). He mused that this new title game should be called the “Super Bowl,” even if he meant it as a temporary nickname.
Hunt wrote to NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle, admitting, “I hope someone comes up with a better name.” Spoiler: No one did. The press mocked it, calling it “corny” and “beneath the dignity of a professional sport.” But fans loved the simplicity. By the third game, it was official, and the name stuck like a well-thrown spiral.
Fun Fact: The Roman Numerals Were Almost a Disaster
You know those fancy Roman numerals (Super Bowl LVIII, etc.)? That was also Hunt’s idea. He wanted to make the game feel as epic as the Olympic Games. But here’s the kicker: Super Bowl V (1971) was delayed by a week due to a players’ strike, meaning the Roman numeral “V” technically stood for the 1970 season, not that specific Sunday. It’s a quirky contradiction that football nerds love to debate. Trust us, it still works.
