Overview
This Sunday, February 8, 2026, is the 60th Super Bowl game. Super Bowl Sunday is practically a holiday; the world comes to a halt in order to watch this football game. This year, the two teams competing for the championship are the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. The Seahawks are the champions of the NFC West Conference, with 14 wins and only 3 losses. The Patriots are the champions of the AFC East Conference, also with 14 wins and 3 losses.
Super Bowl and Trophy History
The Super Bowl is younger than the World Series, the Masters, and even the Kentucky Derby! This game came to be through the AFL (American Football League) in 1960, when a group of businessmen were frustrated by the NFL’s reluctance to expand. The AFL created an “alternative league playing a more wide-open brand of football.” This started a very heated rivalry between the AFL and the NFL.
After six years of competition, Pete Rozelle, the NFL Commissioner, and Lamar Hunt, the former owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, merged the two leagues, which would formally join in 1970. As the years went on, the famous Super Bowl ads came into play. At first, it was an Apple commercial promoting the Macintosh computer, and from there, ranking the commercials became common practice. Super Bowl LIX, in 2025, had the highest number of views in history, with 127.71 million.
The two exceptional teams compete for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. This trophy was originally named the “World Professional Football Championship Trophy”. Today, it is named in honor of the former coach of the Green Bay Packers, after losing his battle with cancer in 1970 at the age of 57.
The trophy was designed in 1966 by the vice president of Tiffany & Co., Oscar Riedner. He sculpted the prototype with a cereal box and a football in its kicking position. Later, while meeting with Pete Rozelle, the future trophy design was sketched on a cocktail napkin.
Halftime Show
There have been many memorable and entertaining performances throughout the history of the Halftime Show. Some big names include Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and New Kids on the Block. And this year, Bad Bunny will be able to add his name to this piece of American history.
Here are some fun facts about the history of the show:
- The first handful of performances consisted of marching bands.
- Up With People played in five Halftime Shows.
- Justin Timberlake has played in three Halftime Shows.
- Performers aren’t paid.
STVM Votes for the Winner
A poll was sent out to our STVM community asking whether they are part of the staff or student body, and who they think will win the Super Bowl. 58.7% of the community predicts that the Seahawks will be the champions. Below are some thoughts and predictions. Be safe this weekend and Be Your Best, Be Irish!
