So, you wanna know about Super Bowl LIII? We’ve got you covered with all the basics of the 53rd edition of football’s biggest game.
When is the Super Bowl?
Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. ET
Where is the Super Bowl this year?
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, home of the Falcons.
Who’s playing?
Los Angeles Rams vs. New England Patriots
What’s the biggest story of the game?
There are so many storylines, but here’s the simplest: Rams vs. GOATs.
It’s the young guns (Rams head coach Sean McVay is just 33, and 24-year-old quarterback Jared Goff is in his third year as a pro) against the old guard of Bill Belichick (66) and Tom Brady (41) – a pair of veteran football geniuses who have comprised the greatest dynasty the game has ever seen.
Have the Rams ever won the Super Bowl?
While the city of L.A. doesn’t have a Super Bowl to its name, the Rams franchise does. They won Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000 (1999 season) against the Tennessee Titans, back when they were known as “The Greatest Show on Turf” and played out of St. Louis. Funny enough, that game was held in Atlanta – the same host city of this year’s game. A good omen? Perhaps.
…and the Patriots?
Um, yes. All. The. Time. The Patriots have won five Super Bowls, all with Brady and Belichick at the helm. Here’s an interesting fact: New England’s dynasty began in 2002 with the franchise’s first-ever championship, defeating … the Rams. A good omen? Perhaps.
Robert Henson on Twitter
The Patriots dynasty began with a win over the Rams, only fitting it ends with a loss to the Rams
The Patriots have since returned to the biggest stage seven more times (not including this year), while this will be the first time the Rams get back to the Super Bowl since that loss to Brady & Co. 17 years ago.
Who’s doing the halftime show?
Maroon 5 will be performing, with guests Travis Scott and Big Boi.
Georgia-born “Empress of Soul,” Gladys Knight, will perform the anthem.
How can I watch the game?
CBS has the television rights to this year’s game. Jim Nantz will do play-by-play, with the always-entertaining — not to mention mind-reading — Tony Romo as the colour commentator and Tracy Wolfson and Evan Washburn covering sideline reporting duties.
NFL on Twitter
@TonyRomo was calling plays before they happened! https://t.co/4jdm9I8Pl5
And now, a (very brief) history lesson…
How long has the Super Bowl been around?
The very first Super Bowl was held in 1966-67, the same year a merger between the American Football League and National Football League was announced. (The NFL as we know it today actually began in 1970.) This will be the 53rd edition of the sport’s biggest game.
Why is it called the “Super Bowl”?
Because “The AFL-NFL World Championship Game” was a bit of a mouthful. No, seriously. According to Harvey Frommer, author of When It Was Just a Game, that title was made official in 1966 thanks to the newly named commissioner, Pete Rozelle (other contenders included “The Big One,” the “Pro Bowl” and the “World Series of Football”).
According to Frommer, it was AFL founder and Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt who came up with the term “Super Bowl,” which was apparently partially inspired by his son’s toy, which was called a “super ball.” Here’s the story, from the perspective of Hunt’s son, Lamar Hunt Jr., via Frommer:
[blockquote]My dad was in an owner’s meeting. They were trying to figure out what to call the last game, the championship game. I don’t know if he had the ball with him as some reports suggest. My dad said, “Well, we need to come up with a name, something like the ‘Super Bowl.'” And then he said, “Actually, that’s not a very good name. We can come up with something better.” But “Super Bowl” stuck in the media and word of mouth.[/blockquote]
What’s the story behind the Vince Lombardi Trophy?
Before it was given its current name, the trophy was known simply as the world professional football championship trophy. It was renamed a few years later in honour of Vince Lombardi, legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers and winner of the first two Super Bowls, who died of cancer in 1970 at age 57.
The trophy was designed by Tiffany & Co., and is still made by the company. Unlike other famous trophies, a new (but identical) Vince Lombardi Trophy is made each year as the winning team gets to keep it.
Which team has won the most Super Bowls?
The Patriots have the most Super Bowl appearances (Super Bowl LIII will be their 11th) but the Pittsburgh Steelers’ six Super Bowl victories makes them the most successful franchise in NFL history. The Patriots, Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers all have five Super Bowl titles.
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