Super Bowl History 1: Super Bowls I Through XXI

Take a walk down memory lane and relive all 42 Super Bowls. Here are some highlights, facts and tidbits from every Super Bowl. In part one, we look at Super Bowl I through Super Bowl XXI.

The Super Bowl was originally created in order to crown one pro football champion, between the winner of the original National Football League and the winner of the new American Football League. A few years later, both leagues merged to form the current NFL.

I: January 15, 1967 Los Angeles Coliseum, Los Angeles California

Green Bay Packers 35Kansas City Chiefs 10

MVP: Bart Starr, QB Green Bay

Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers continued their dominance of the 1960’s by winning the first ever Super Bowl, beating up on the AFL Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Even though Bart Starr won the MVP award, the real hero of the game was Packer tight end Max McGee, who caught 7 passes for 138 yards, and scored two touchdowns. He accomplished all of this while drunk and hung over from partying the night before.

II. January 14, 1968 Orange Bowl, Miami, FL

Green Bay Packers 33 Oakland Raiders 14

MVP: Bart Starr, QB Green Bay

The mighty Green Bay Packers did it again, whipping up on another AFL opponent. The word after this game was that the AFL had no business even taking the field against an NFL team. Bart Starr captured his second consecutive MVP award. A few years later the Super Bowl Trophy would be named after Vince Lombardi.

III. January 12, 1969 Orange Bowl, Miami, FL

New York Jets 16 Baltimore Colts 7

MVP: Joe Namath, QB NY Jets

This game is regarded as the greatest upset in football history. The powerful Baltimore Colts of the NFL were a 17 ½ point favorite. According to the experts the AFL’s New York Jets did not stand a chance. A young and brash Joe Namath thought otherwise, guaranteeing a Jets win. The dominance of the NFL over the AFL quickly came to an end in this nostalgic Jets victory. Two seasons after this game the AFL and NFL merged to create the current NFL.

IV. January 11, 1970 Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, LA

Kansas City Chiefs 23 Minnesota Vikings 7

MVP: Len Dawson, QB Kansas City

The Kansas City Chiefs became the first Super Bowl loser to come back and win after losing their first appearance. They were also the second consecutive AFL team to win a Super Bowl. Len Dawson the games’ MVP went on to be the original host of the HBO show called Inside the NFL. Joe Kapp quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, went on to appear in a few movies.

V. January 17, 1971 Orange Bowl, Miami, FL

Baltimore Colts 16 Dallas Cowboys 13

MVP: Chuck Howley, LB Dallas

Super Bowl V was the first Super Bowl following the merger of the NFL and AFL. Unfortunately, this game went on to be called the “Blunder Bowl” because it was marred with poor play, turnovers, penalties and bad officiating. Both teams combined for a total of eleven turnovers. It was also the first Super Bowl to be decided on a last second field goal. Rookie Jim O’Brien booted a thirty-two yarder for the win. In another strange twist Chuck Howley, a linebacker for the losing Dallas Cowboys won the MVP award.

VI. January 16, 1972 Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, LA

Dallas Cowboys 24 Miami Dolphins 3

MVP: Roger Staubach, QB Dallas

The Dallas Cowboys became the second team to avenge a first appearance loss by handily beating the Miami Dolphins. They became the first team to do this in back-to-back appearances. This win also gave the original NFL their first back-to-back wins since Super Bowls I & II. Even though Roger Staubach was only 11 of 19 for 119 yards and two touchdowns, he managed to win the MVP award. He became the first Heisman Trophy winner to win a Super Bowl MVP.

VII. January 14, 1973 Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA

Miami Dolphins 14 Washington Redskins 7

MVP: Jake Scott, DB Miami

Miami became the third team to avenge a first Super Bowl loss, and the second to do it in back-to-back years. Even though the Dolphin defense was the story of the game, it will forever be remembered for one of the most memorable blunders in football history. The Redskins blocked a Garo Yepremian field goal attempt, and Garo found himself with the ball. He tried to throw it down field, but it slipped out of his hands and went straight in the air. Mike Bass of the Redskins picked the ball up and returned it for their only touchdown. Luckily for Garo, the Dolphins still won the game.

VIII. January 13, 1974 Rice Stadium, Houston, TX

Miami Dolphins 24 Minnesota Vikings 7

MVP: Larry Csonka, RB Miami

The Dolphins became the first team to appear in three consecutive Super Bowls and the second to win back to back. Minnesota became the first team to lose their first two appearances. Larry Csonka won the MVP rushing for 145 yards and scoring two touchdowns.

IX. January 12, 1975 Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, LA

Pittsburgh Steelers 16 Minnesota Vikings 6

MVP: Franco Harris, RB Pittsburgh

Minnesota continued its Super Bowl futility with a third loss in three appearances. The Pittsburgh Steelers, led by Terry Bradshaw and the Steel Curtain Defense, began an era of dominance that would crown them the Team of the 70’s. The Steeler defense held the Vikings to 119 yards of total offense and only 17 rushing yards. Franco Harris picked up the MVP award with 158 yards on the ground.

X. January 18, 1976 Orange Bowl, Miami, FL

Pittsburgh Steelers 21 Dallas Cowboys 17

MVP: Lynn Swann, WR Pittsburgh

The Steelers became the third team to win back-to-back Super Bowls. Lynn Swann became the first wide receiver to win an MVP award with 4 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown. He also made one of the most miraculous catches in Super Bowl history by leaping and literally tripping over defender Mark Washington. This would be the first of three meetings between these two teams.

XI. January 9, 1977 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA

Oakland Raiders 32 Minnesota Vikings 14

MVP: Fred Biletnikoff, WR Oakland

The Raiders led by head coach John Madden dismantled and annihilated the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings suffered their fourth consecutive Super Bowl loss, each one worse than the other. Fred Biletnikoff became the second consecutive wide receiver to win the MVP award, even though he had only 4 catches for 79 yards.

XII. January 15, 1978 Super Dome, New Orleans, LA

Dallas Cowboys 27 Denver Broncos 10

MVP: Randy White DT and Harvey Martin DE, Dallas

Craig Morton, of the Denver Broncos, became the first quarterback to start the Super Bowl for two different teams. Unfortunately for him, this game was even worse than the score indicated, as Dallas dominated every facet of the game. The Cowboys won their second Super Bowl in three trips. This was also the first time two teammates shared the MVP award. What made it even more odd is they both played on the defensive line.

XIII. January 21, 1979 Orange Bowl, Miami, FL

Pittsburgh Steelers 35 Dallas Cowboys 31

MVP: Terry Bradshaw, QB Pittsburgh

This game was the first ever rematch of a Super Bowl as the Pittsburgh Steelers again beat the Cowboys. Pittsburgh also became the first three-time winner, having won all three appearances. It was also the first time a defending champion (Dallas) of the Super Bowl lost the next year. Dallas also became the first team to lose to the same team twice. Besides Terry Bradshaw’s 318 yards passing and 4 touchdowns, this game will be known for a dropped touchdown pass by Dallas tight end Jackie Smith, which could have won the game late in the fourth quarter.

XIV. January 20, 1980 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA

Pittsburgh Steelers 31 Los Angeles Rams 19

MVP: Terry Bradshaw, QB Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers won back-to-back Super Bowls for the second time, improving their perfect record to four and 0. Terry Bradshaw became the first player to win back-to-back MVP awards since Bart Starr in Super Bowls I and II. Terry threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns.

XV. January 25, 1981 Superdome, New Orleans, LA

Oakland Raiders 27 Philadelphia Eagles 10

MVP: Jim Plunkett, QB Raiders

The Raiders became the first wildcard team to win the Super Bowl. It was their second win in three trips to the big show. They dominated the Philadelphia Eagles who were making their first ever appearance, with a stifling defense. Raider linebacker Rod Martin set a Super Bowl record with three interceptions, but amazingly did not win the MVP award. That went to quarterback Jim Plunkett, who threw for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Plunkett also became the second Heisman Trophy winner to win a Super Bowl MVP.

XVI. January 24, 1982 Pontiac Silverdome, Detroit MI

San Francisco 49ers 26 Cincinnati Bengals 21

MVP: Joe Montana, QB San Francisco

This game was full of firsts. It featured two teams making their first Super Bowl appearances, which had not been done since Super Bowl III. It was held at a brand new venue, the Silverdome in Pontiac, MI. And it was the first Super Bowl held indoors.

The 49ers dominated early and then held on for the win. In a losing effort, Cincinnati Bengal tight end Dan Ross had 11 catches and 2 touchdowns, but did not win the MVP award. Even though San Francisco kicker Ray Wershing connected on four field goals, the MVP honors went to Joe Montana, who threw for only 157 yards.

XVII. January 30, 1983 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA

Washington Redskins 27 Miami Dolphins 17

MVP: John Riggins, RB Washington

In only the second rematch in Super Bowl history, the Washington Redskins became the first to get revenge by beating the Miami Dolphins, who they lost to in Super Bowl VII. John Riggins led the way, shredding the Miami defense with 166 yards rushing. He also had more total yards than the entire Dolphin team. The Redskin defense held Miami 176 yards of total offense.

XVIII. January 22, 1984 Tampa Stadium, Tampa FL

Los Angeles Raiders 38 Washington Redskins 9

MVP: Marcus Allen, RB Raiders

The Washington Redskins made it back to the Super Bowl for the second year in a row, but ran into a buzz saw in the Los Angeles Raiders. They suffered, at the time, the most lopsided loss in Super Bowl history. Because the Raiders, originally from Oakland, now called Los Angeles their home, they gave L.A. their first NFL title since 1951. Marcus Allen had a field day rushing for a record 191 yards and two touchdowns, including a 74-yard run.

XIX. January 20, 1985 Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto CA

San Francisco 49ers 38 Miami Dolphins 16

MVP: Joe Montana, QB San Francisco

This game was hyped as a battle between the game’s two best quarterbacks, Joe Montana and Dan Marino. Joe came out on top, besting Marino in what would be Dan’s only Super Bowl appearance. Montana won the MVP award, becoming the third two-time winner. He was 29 of 35 passing for 331 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 59 yards and scored one of his own. Teammate Roger Craig also scored three touchdowns.

XX. January 26, 1986 Superdome, New Orleans, LA

Chicago Bears 46 New England Patriots 10

MVP: Richard Dent, DE Chicago

For only the third time, two new teams made it to the bowl. After giving up an early score the Bears completely dominated the Patriots in what became the worst bashing in Super Bowl history. The Bear’s defense recorded seven sacks and gave up only seven rushing yards. Unfortunately, this game will be remembered most for something that did not happen. The late great Walter Payton was denied an opportunity to get into the end zone. However, William the Refrigerator Perry did. This is one decision the Mike Ditka to this day truly regrets.

XXI. January 25, 1987 Rose Bowl, Pasadena CA

New York Giants 39 Denver Broncos 20

MVP: Phil Simms QB, New York Giants

The New York Giants advanced to the Super Bowl for the first time in their history, and played in their first championship game since 1963. They were led by Lawrence Taylor, who had a league record 20 ½ sacks, won the Defensive Player of the Year Award and the NFL Most Valuable Player award. Denver made their second appearance, their first since losing to Dallas in Super Bowl XII. After trailing at halftime 10 to 9, Giants Head Coach Bill Parcells made some adjustments that turned the game around. Phil Simms went on to set a Super Bowl record for passing efficiency going 22 of 25 for 268 yards and 3 Touch Downs.

* Stay tuned for Super Bowls XXII through XLII

“Baseball might be American’s past time, but football is truly American’s passion!” Howie Long’s closing statement at his NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony.