The Super Bowl is the biggest game of the year. Football fans, both new and seasoned, await it with bated breath. But even if you’re the biggest football fan, there’s a lot you might not know about the big game—like what really happens during halftime or where the footballs are made. Here are some surprising facts you never knew about the Super Bowl to tide you over until kickoff.
Made in the USA
With the aid of machines, Wilson craftspeople make the footballs at the Wilson Football Factory, located in Ada, Ohio. The factory dates back over 70 years and produces over 700,000 leather Wilson footballs a year for the pro teams. Since day one, each ball has been imprinted with the words “Commissioner,” “Wilson,” and “Made in the USA.”
What Happens During Halftime?
When the performers take the stage, what do the players do? During the season, players use halftime to make adjustments and work out any kinks in their muscles. Since the Super Bowl halftime is twice as long as that of a normal game, players will wait about 20 minutes before they start warming up, stretching, or making adjustments. This way, they’ll finish just in time for the second half.
It Wasn’t Always Super
Another surprising fact you never knew about the Super Bowl is that it wasn’t always called the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl wasn’t given its familiar moniker until Super Bowl III. Super Bowls I and II were referred to as the AFL-NFL Championship Games. This name reflected the two organizations that were going up against each other: the American Football League and the National Football League.
It Costs Big Bucks To Attend
This might not come as a surprise, but attending the Super Bowl will make a huge dent in your wallet. The average cost of a Super Bowl 50 ticket was over $4,700, and prices continue to skyrocket. But it wasn’t always that way. Tickets for the very first Super Bowl in 1967 cost an average of $6, or the equivalent of $42 today. For some Americans, this was still too pricey. There were over 30,000 unsold seats!
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