Millions of people in the US and around the world tune in to watch the Super Bowl every year. Since the first ever kick off on Jan. 15, 1967 between the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs, many things have changed (incidentally, the Packers defeated the Chiefs, 35-10) including the half-time show, which is as much a part of the Super Bowl as the game itself. Many fans also await the commercials which have also been part of the Super Bowl culture since its beginning. In 1967, the average cost of a 30-second TV ad spot during the game was $37,500. Today, that same 30 seconds can be priced as high as $4.5 million. If you’re planning on being in LA for this year’s Super Bowl, LVH has a number of gorgeous luxury properties in the city and there is sure to be one that is ideal for you such as Villa Antonina in Beverly Hills.

A look back

We thought you might like a little walk down Super Bowl memory lane with some of the most outstanding Super Bowl history tidbits over the years during the games. LA is the place to be in February as the city gears up for the big game. Being in the middle of the excitement might be just what you need. Have a good read of these flashbacks as you prepare for Super Bowl:

Smith Slides into Retirement

It’s Super Bowl XIII in 1979 and defending champions, the Cowboys, are down in the third quarter, 21-14. But it looks as though they’re about to tie the game when Roger Staubach finds Jackie Smith in the end zone, wide open. As the ball reaches Smith he literally begins to slide and the ball is incomplete as it ricochets off his chest. Smith is left on his back and as he stands, fans will always remember the torment on his face. The Cowboys went on to lose and it was the last game for Smith, who became a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Giving Up Wasn’t an Option

The Bills and the Cowboys are head-to-head in Super Bowl XXVII in 1993. The Bills are struggling but at least one of their players is still in the game. There’s five minutes left. The ball is with Dallas’ Leon Lett who is in the free and 65 yards away from the end zone. The Bills’ Don Beebe blasts down the length of the field to catch an oblivious Lett just before the goal line. Beebe is able to dislodge the ball for a touchback. Even though the Cowboys won, 52-17, young football players got a lesson that day from Beebe: Never give up.

The Day a Legend Was Made

The Washington Redskins trail 14-0 early in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Raiders in Super Bowl XVIII in 1984. The Redskins get a field goal forcing LA to punt. The ball gets to the Washington 10 with 12 seconds left on the clock. A backpedaling Joe Theismann blindly swings a pass to the left flat. But Raiders’ little known linebacker Jack Squirek leaps into the air cradling Theismann's pass while walking into the end zone, the ball high in his right hand. It's 21-3 Raiders at half time and a blowout is on the horizon with the Raiders winning, 38-9.

A Public Guarantee

One of the most well-known and loved quarterbacks of his time, Joe Namath, of the AFL’s New York Jets, rocked football fans in 1969 when the Jets became the first AFL team to defeat the NFL Baltimore Colts, 16-7 in Super Bowl III. Namath guaranteed the Jets’ victory despite being the underdogs. Sports fans will remember Namath famously walking off the field at the end of the game with his index finger pointing to the sky. You never know what kind of moments a championship game will bring, but whatever transpires, you can throw a huge Super Bowl bash – one no one will ever forget – when you stay at Villa Palazzo di Amore. And the great thing? We’ll take care of all of it for you!

A Swann Dive

Many fans were asking if the Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver Lynn Swann was also a gymnast after the mid-air catch he made more than 40 years ago in Super Bowl X. In fact, the catch was nicknamed, the levitating catch. Swann helped the Steelers regain the lead against the Dallas Cowboys, ultimately winning 21-17. Swann earned Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP), becoming the first wide receiver to get the honor.

‘The Fridge’ Touchdown

Chicago Bears’ rookie lineman William “The Refrigerator” Perry lived up to his nickname. In 1985, he was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears; he had been hand-picked by coach Mike Ditka. In Super Bowl XX in 1986 against the New England Patriots, Perry was instrumental in costing Las Vegas hundreds of thousands of dollars in prop bets when he scored a touchdown – which linemen rarely do. The manager of the Sportsbook at Caesars Palace posted odds on whether Perry would score a touchdown – the craziest proposition bet ever offered on pro football’s biggest game. Turns out, it wasn’t so crazy after all.

A Sticky New Tradition

In Super Bowl XXI in 1987, the New York Giants created the new tradition of dousing their winning coach, Bill Parcels, with gallons of ice-cold, sugary Gatorade after beating the Broncos, 39-20. Winning teams have been doing the same to their coaches ever since.

Get ready to see some fantastic moments and be a part of Super Bowl history at the 2024 game. Choose to stay at one of LVH’s luxury homes in LA and we will do our best to secure exclusive Super Bowl tickets for you!