01-14-2025 - On This Day in Insane History

On January 14, 1967, the first Super Bowl—then known as the AFL-NFL World Championship Game—was played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, marking a pivotal moment in American sports history. The Green Bay Packers, led by the legendary Vince Lombardi, soundly defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10, in a contest that would become the inaugural championship of what would eventually evolve into the most-watched sporting event in the United States.

What made this game extraordinary wasn't just the athletic prowess, but the cultural significance. At the time, the NFL and AFL were rival leagues, and this game represented more than just a championship—it was a symbolic unification. The ticket prices ranged from $6 to $12, and the game wasn't even a complete sellout, with approximately 61,946 fans in attendance—a far cry from the multi-billion-dollar spectacle the Super Bowl has become.

Quarterback Bart Starr was named MVP, throwing for 250 yards and two touchdowns, embodying the cool, calculated leadership that would become synonymous with Green Bay's football legacy. This game wasn't just a sporting event; it was a cultural watershed moment that would reshape American entertainment and sports broadcasting for generations to come.