Learn

02.01.09

Tampa Bay, Fl

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals

Then

Modern football developed from rugby in the 1860s and 1870s on the Eastern Coast of the United States, the first rules of which were written in 1876. Less than a century later, the first Super Bowl as we know it took place January 15, 1967 at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. The Green Bay Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 35 to 10, making the Packers Champions of Super Bowl I. Roman Numerals are used to title the game because the season spans two different years (this season began in September of 2008 and ends in February of 2009).

Now

The Super Bowl is the Championship game between one team from the National Football Conference (NFC) and one team from the American Football Conference (AFC) that determines the champion of the National Football League (NFL). The Playoffs are a series of games that determine the Champion of each Conference who then proceed to the Super Bowl.

XLIII

February 2, 2009 NFC Champions, the Arizona Cardinals, will face AFC Champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in Super Bowl XLIII at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida. Both are the oldest teams in their conference, the Cardinals being the oldest continually run American football club in the U.S. today. The Steelers are the most championed franchise in their conference, while the Cardinals have not seen a championship since 1947, the second longest championship drought in U.S. sports history (second to the Chicago Cubs who have not won a championship since 1908). Both teams have dynamic histories, which should provide for an entertaining matchup.

Football Fun Facts

• PreGame Entertainment: Faith Hill
• National Anthem: Jennifer Hudson
• Half Time Show: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
• Raymond James Stadium Capacity: 60,000
• Pounds of guacamole consumed by Americans on Super Bowl Sunday: 8 million
• Estimated rate for a 30 second commercial: $2.7 million
• Cost of the Vince Lombardi Trophy awarded to champion: $25,000
• Number of men to win Super Bowls as both a player and a coach: 2, Mike Ditka and Tom Flores

With a little history and some fun facts, you are ready to watch the Super Bowl! Be sure to tune in to Super Bowl XLII Sunday, February 1st on NBC.