By Darin 🏈 The Birth of a Cultural Phenomenon
On January 15, 1967, the sporting world changed forever, though few realized it at the time. In front of a crowd at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum that didn’t quite reach a sellout, the Green Bay Packers faced off against the Kansas City Chiefs. It wasn’t officially called the “Super Bowl” yet—it was the AFL-NFL World Championship Game—but the stakes couldn’t have been higher as the established NFL sought to prove its dominance over the upstart AFL.
The Game: From Close Contest to Blowout
The first half was surprisingly competitive. While the Packers were heavy 14-point favorites, the Chiefs held their own, trailing only 14-10 at halftime. Kansas City quarterback Len Dawson moved the ball effectively, but the second half belonged entirely to Vince Lombardi’s legendary squad.
The momentum shifted permanently in the third quarter when Packers safety Willie Wood intercepted a Dawson pass, returning it 50 yards to the Chiefs’ 5-yard line. This spark ignited a streak of 21 unanswered points. The game’s unexpected hero was wide receiver Max McGee, who—legend has it—was nursing a hangover after not expecting to play. When starter Boyd Dowler went down with an injury, McGee stepped in to catch seven passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
Article from Jan 16, 1967 The Recorder (Greenfield, Massachusetts)
Quarterback Bart Starr delivered a masterclass in efficiency, completing 16 of 23 passes for 250 yards. His poised leadership earned him the game’s first Most Valuable Player award as the Packers cruised to a 35-10 victory.
The Legacy of 1967
Super Bowl I was more than just a football game; it was the blueprint for the modern American spectacle. From the $12 ticket prices to the simultaneous broadcast on both CBS and NBC, it laid the foundation for the global event we celebrate today. While the Packers took home the first “Lombardi” Trophy, the true winner was the sport of football itself, which found its ultimate showcase on that sunny afternoon in Los Angeles.
Big thanks, to Pro-Football-Reference.com
