Before it became known as the Super Bowl, the championship game was officially called the AFL–NFL World Championship Game.
Origins of the Championship Game
The inception of this highly anticipated annual event was a direct result of a landmark agreement in 1966. This pivotal merger between the long-established National Football League (NFL) and its burgeoning competitor, the American Football League (AFL), sought to unify professional football. A key component of this merger was the creation of a championship game where the "best" teams from each league would compete for ultimate supremacy.
Initially, the name "Super Bowl" was not immediately adopted. The first two championship contests were formally known by their lengthier, more descriptive title.
The Evolution of the Name
The transition to the iconic "Super Bowl" moniker occurred shortly after the first two championship games. The popular term, believed to have been inspired by a child's toy, the "Super Ball," quickly gained traction and became the de facto name.
Here's a breakdown of the naming evolution:
- AFL–NFL World Championship Game: This was the official designation for the first two championship contests, held in 1967 (now retrospectively called Super Bowl I) and 1968 (Super Bowl II).
- Super Bowl: The beloved "Super Bowl" name was officially adopted starting with the third championship game, held in 1969, which is known as Super Bowl III. This marked a significant rebranding that stuck.
The following table summarizes the early naming conventions:
Era | Official Name | First Game Under Name |
---|---|---|
Pre-Super Bowl Era (1967-1968) | AFL–NFL World Championship Game | I (1967) |
Super Bowl Era (1969-Present) | Super Bowl | III (1969) |
This change from a descriptive championship title to a more dynamic and memorable name helped solidify the event's place in American culture, making "Super Bowl" synonymous with the pinnacle of professional football.