There’s something truly special about the Super Bowl. These are some of the event’s most memorable moments.
Whether you’re from the USA, Europe, or an igloo somewhere in the Arctic Circle, you’ve heard of the Super Bowl. It brings in the viewers at a similar rate to the Olympics, which is no mean feat for a one-country show. The play on the field is what all of the true fans are there for, but some of us get just as much enjoyment from half time shows and even shots of the crowd.
Hopefully, we’re all just about recovered from the excitement of this year’s game, where the Buccaneers truly stole the show. If you’re not, then by all means bask in the glory some more, but if you are, then why not take a trip down memory lane with these best-ever moments from the Super Bowl.
The Biggest Bets
Whilst some of us are content to just sit back and watch the game, statistics show that no less than 15 percent of American adults would bet on the NFL each year. There are plenty more fascinating statistics relating to gaming habits across the world, but one thing is for sure: Americans really do enjoy betting on our favorite sports..
The largest ever recorded wager on a Super Bowl game was $4.8 million. The bet needed the Rams to beat the Patriots in the 2002 Super Bowl, but, unfortunately for the bet-placer, the Patriots stole the victory by 3 points. The biggest win recorded was a cool $6.18 million and happened this very year, with a Texas man wagering $3.46 million on his smartphone!
The Best Ads
Vogue magazine estimates that 18 percent of Super Bowl viewers most look forward to the ads. It sounds crazy but there have been some really good ones over the years. This year saw Winona Ryder play Timothée Chalamet’s mum in a ‘sequel’ to the beloved Edward Scissorhands movie; it’s too early to say if it’ll reach classic ad status, but it was a strong effort.
Many people’s favorite was from the 2010 Super Bowl, when that famous Old Spice advert reared its head – ‘Look at your man. Now back to me. Now back at your man. Now back to me.’ Everyone remembers it; it was cheeky, ridiculous, and endlessly quotable, so it has more than its fair share of fans.
The Best Halftime Show
The halftime show is a spectacle unlike any other in the sports world, so it’s impossible to pick one single performance that truly towers over all others. However, Prince in 2007 is, at the very least, a hard act to follow. Although it wasn’t the most extravagant, the image of Prince shredding guitar in a veritable downpour as he blasted his way through Purple Rain will remain etched in our memories forever.
Of course, there has to be a notable mention for Katy Perry in 2015, who shared the stage with Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott. If you like theatrics then this performance would’ve checked all your boxes. A giant lion? Check. Being fired around the stage? Check. Left Shark? Check.
The Most Memorable Off Field Moment
The crowds, in many ways, are what make the Super Bowl so special.
All the way back in 1968, Vince Lombardi saw his last game as the Green Bay Packers coach. He led them to victory and his team carried him off the field on their shoulders. The old-school suit and tie, combined with the helmets of the time, make this a Hollywood-ready shot that should see this moment go down forever in Super Bowl history.
Another honorable mention goes to the Packers fans. After the team won in 2010 a video surfaced of fans celebrating, leaping up and down, and screaming into a camera. You might say that it’s what anyone would do, but these guys take the excitement to another level.
And Finally, The Best On Field Moment
In the 1969 Super Bowl, Al Atkinson totally changed the course of the game, but he largely goes unremembered. The ball was quickly making its way towards securing the Colts with a 7 point lead, but Atkinson reached out with every fiber of his being and just managed to touch the ball. It sent it just off course enough to land in the hands of teammate Eric Beverly, who set the Jets on their way to a devastating win.