Less than a month remains until Virginians can legally bet on the second Super Bowl. As one of the most popularly wagered sporting events of the year approaches, now is the ideal moment to challenge your knowledge of the Big Game with some Super Bowl trivia.
Were you aware that in 2014, a petition with 100,000 signatures urged for “Weird Al” Yankovic to be the halftime performer? Additionally, Super Bowl XLV made history as the first game to not include cheerleaders.
If you happen to be familiar with those Big Game factoids, well done! You are likely a highly desired teammate when your local tavern organizes a trivia night.
Congratulations to you as well if you were unaware of those informational tidbits. It is likely that you are a well-adjusted individual with a vast knowledge foundation, who does not rely on mental capacity to retain trivial facts.
Trivia night at bars is held for a reason: it’s enjoyable.
Now, let’s test your knowledge with these four Super Bowl trivia questions. The format will be multiple-choice, and the answer will be provided after each question. Take your time scrolling through the page to avoid accidentally reading the answer before making your selection.
Why did Phil Simms shout “I’m going to Disney World!” after winning Super Bowl XXI?
In the 1987 Super Bowl, the New York Giants faced off against the Denver Broncos. Led by Phil Simms as their quarterback, the New York team emerged triumphant with a final score of 39-20.
After being asked, “What are your plans now that you’ve emerged victorious in the Super Bowl, Phil Simms?”, he became the inaugural quarterback to utter the phrase upon winning the prestigious title. This simple statement ignited a tradition among future Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks, where they too would proudly proclaim: “I’m headed to Disney World!”
What prompted his response?
- According to Disney World representatives, they promised to provide Mickey Mouse for his daughter’s birthday celebration on the condition that he uttered the designated phrase.
- In exchange for uttering the catchphrase, the company compensated him with a sum of $75,000, which, when adjusted for inflation, would be valued at $175,000 in 2022.
- For two decades, Simms passionately embraced their love for Disney, maintaining an uninterrupted season pass to the park.
Answer
Disney paid $75,000 to the New York Giants legend to deliver the line. However, the company didn’t want to show any favoritism, so it also decided to compensate Denver quarterback John Elway with the same amount in case the Broncos emerged victorious.
Which Super Bowl had higher ratings for the halftime show than the actual game?
From a cultural standpoint, the Super Bowl transcends its technical definition as merely a game to determine the winner of the NFL championship.
Even individuals who are not interested in football will tune in to watch the game solely for the extravagant commercials that companies invest millions in during television breaks. Additionally, the halftime show will feature performances by some of the entertainment industry’s most prominent celebrities.
Which halftime show attracted a larger audience compared to the game?
- In 1993, during Super Bowl XXVII, Michael Jackson delivered a memorable performance at the midway point of the event.
- Prince performed at halftime during Super Bowl XLI in 2007.
- In 2009, Bruce Springsteen rocked the stage at Super Bowl XLIII with an unforgettable performance.
Answer
The title of the “King of Pop” was earned by his exceptional performance at the 1993 Super Bowl, featuring the Dallas Cowboys and the Buffalo Bills.
Jackson, a renowned figure in pop music, has achieved an impressive feat of having 13 singles reach the pinnacle of the Billboard charts. Nevertheless, it is plausible that the game itself could be a contributing factor to the discrepancy in ratings.
In a resounding victory, Dallas dominated Buffalo with a final score of 52-17. The Cowboys established a commanding 28-10 lead before Jackson stole the show, single-handedly scoring three touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
It can be confidently stated that the only individuals truly intrigued by the game are the gamblers who are actively seeking to secure victory in their Super Bowl squares.
Which champions were correctly guessed by the Simpsons?
Not much background information is necessary for this question, but it is worth mentioning that Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons, is likely a time traveler, in addition to being the creator of one of the most successful cartoons in history.
In 1997, an individual penned an episode depicting an Ebola outbreak in America. Fast forward to 2014, and the lethal virus found its path to the United States.
Donald Trump’s presidential bid in 2000 was followed by a surprising turn of events. Only 16 years later, he rose to become the most powerful figure in the country. The show continued to astound with its accurate prediction of the FIFA corruption scandal, revealed a year later.
Which Super Bowls were accurately predicted by The Simpsons?
- The Super Bowl games that took place in the years 1992, 1993, and 1994 were Super Bowls XXVI, XXVII, and XXVIII, respectively.
- Super Bowls XXXI, XXXII, and XXXIV occurred in 1997, 1998, and 2000 respectively.
- The Super Bowl games that took place in 1998, 2001, and 2003 were Super Bowls XXXII, XXXV, and XXXVII respectively.
Answer
Between 1992 and 1994, The Simpsons accurately predicted the outcome of Super Bowls XXVI, XXVII, and XXVIII. During this three-year period, Groening successfully forecasted that the Buffalo Bills would face defeat against Washington in ’92, as well as against Dallas in ’93 and ’94.
Lisa Simpson, Homer’s daughter, emerged as the most astute bettor in the family, as evidenced by her accurate predictions on the show.
Which US president was the first to attend a Super Bowl?
As professional sports grew in popularity over the course of several decades, the realms of politics and sports became somewhat interconnected.
In a championship game, mayors from cities with rival teams often engage in friendly wagers, predicting the outcome of the match. Furthermore, the victorious teams of these championships have been granted the privilege of visiting the esteemed White House. Occasionally, the opening ceremonies even involve the participation of a United States president. As an illustration, during the 2001 World Series, George W. Bush had the honor of throwing the inaugural pitch at Game 3.
Which President was the first to personally attend the NFL’s championship game?
- In 1984, during Super Bowl XVII, Ronald Reagan was present to witness his hometown team, the Los Angeles Raiders, emerge victorious over Washington.
- In 1978, Jimmy Carter was present at Super Bowl XII, witnessing the victorious moment of the Dallas Cowboys over the Denver Broncos.
- In 1996, during Super Bowl XXX, the Dallas Cowboys emerged victorious over the Pittsburgh Steelers in a game attended by Bill Clinton.
Answer
Alright, I included one tricky question in this, but I assure you that I won’t repeat it in the future.
Although no sitting president has ever attended a Super Bowl, it’s worth mentioning that four vice presidents have had the opportunity. That’s pretty cool too, I suppose.
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