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The super bowl is one of the greatest American pastimes, and recently has captured audiences of over 95 million viewers. With this enormous following, the super bowl has become more than just a football game, pumping millions of dollars into the economy each year.

Originally started as a world championship event in 1967, to pit the American Football League (AFL) against the National Football League (NFL), the super bowl was known as the ‘First AFL-NFL World Championship Game’. It was not until the media coined the term ‘super bowl’ that all subsequent championship games became known as super bowls.

When the AFL and NFL merged, the teams remained in their divisions and respective leagues. The American Football League became the American Football Conference (AFC) while the National Football League became the National Football Conference (NFC). The top team from each conference then went on to play in the annual ‘Super Bowl’.

Traditionally the super bowl was held the last Sunday in January, however in recent years the date has moved into February. The NFL, who owns the Super Bowl, decides the date as much as a year in advance and the location as many as 3 years in advance of the Super Bowl. Deciding on the location is achieved by a vote of all MFL team owners, once cities have placed bids to be chosen.

The NFL takes many factors into consideration when choosing the stadium and host city for an upcoming Super Bowl. This process is done several years in advance of the games to allow host cities to prepare. The Future super bowl hosts will be Dolphin Stadium in 2010, Dallas Cowboys in 2011, and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in 2012.

For those not fortunate enough to acquire a super bowl ticket and attend the game, a major network is selected each year to broadcast the super bowl. The two most recent super bowls had more than 95 million viewers enjoying the game, while live attendance at the super bowl has lingered around 70,000 for the last 15 years

One economic attribute for the TV networks is the income from advertisers, especially halftime TV ads. A 30-second commercial in the 2008 super bowl cost .7 million dollars. The total gross revenue from the 2008 super bowl commercials exceeded 6 million. The overwhelming amount of commercials on TV are food and drink commercials, which may explain why the super bowl is called the second largest food holiday after Thansgiving, cnakc food commercials dominated 2 of the top 5 spots in 2008 commercials.

The annual event known as the super bowl has an impact not only on the fans of the game, but on the economies of cities, businesses, retailers and merchants throughout the USA. This annual event by far generates more revenue than any other event in America.

The 2007 Super Bowl was held on February 4, 2007, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, making this the 9th time the Super Bowl was hosted in the state of Florida since it’s beginning 40 years earlier. Lousiana is the only other state to host the super bowl as many times.

Several NFL records were made at the 2007 super bowl, including many firsts. Bpth teams had an African American as head coach, meaning this would be the first time a black coack would win the Super Bowl in it’s 40 year hiostory. This also was the first time the super bowl was played on a wet and soggy field, as the rain did not let up all day. The Chicago Bears also made a record first, by scoring within the first minute of the game after Devin Hester made a run back for a touchdown off the opening kick.

Super Bowl 2007 featured the AFC (American Football Conference) champions, the Indianapolis Colts, against the NFC (National Football Conference) champions, the Chicago Bears. This would be the second appearance for both teams, who each won their previous super bowls, The Colts in Super Bowl V (1970), and the Bears in Super Bowl XX (1985).

Peyton Manning for the Colts was named the 2007 Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP) after completing 25 out of 38 passes for a total 247 yards and a touchdown, with one interception. His outstanding performance at the game highlighted his excellent 10-year career, and many believ he well deserved the MVP title.

Even with Hester making the early score, the Bears were able to keep the lead in the first quarter with 14-7. The Colts made an attempt to keep from kicking to Hester the rest of the game after his record breaking 92 yard TD in the first minute of the 2007 Super Bowl. Going into the halftime, the colts had slightly overtaken the Bears with a 2-point lead as the score stood at 16-14.

Indianapolis kept their lead throughout the remainder of the game as the Bears made several attempts to make their comeback. The 3rd quarter finished with the Bears making a field goal and the colts making two field gials for a third quarter score of 22-17, Colts leading. The lead was not significant, however, in the first few minutes of the fourth quarter, Kelvin Hayden’s 56-yard interception return resulted in a touchdown for the Colts as they broke away with a 29-17 lead.

The Bear’s fruitless attempts to close the gap was staved off by Indianapolis’ excellent plays to keep possession of the ball. The 2007 Super Bowl would belong to the Indianapolis Colts, as the Bears last 5 plays netted no score. The Colts received their second and long awaited super bowl trophy.

Detroit Michigan’s Ford Field played host to the 2006 Super Bowl pitting the Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC Champs) against Seattle’s Seahwaks (winner of the NFC playoffs). Super Bowl 2006 was the 40th anniversary of the first World Championship played in 1967. The February 5, 2006 super bowl would have the Steelers seeking their coveted ‘one for the thumb’ as the 5th super bowl ring of their teams career. A feat sought after since their last super bowl appearance in 1980.

The rookie team, Seattle, had never played in a world championship game, however, the 2006 Super Bowl was the 6th time for the Steelers. Because of their strong showing at previous Super Bowls, the Steelers were able to capitalize on the ‘rookie’ Seahawks, who inevitably made quite a few mistakes in the game. Early scoring by Seattle did not help their later game as they became subject to several mistakes, inlcuding quite a few penalties and dropped balls. It seemed well for Seattle, as the Steelers failed to score until the last few minutes of the first half, when QB Roethlisberger ran a fake pass and scored putting the score at 7 to 3.

To even further their lead, Willie Parker ran a record-breaking 75 yard TD to score in the first drive of the third quarter. Seattle tried to close the gap with a successful 16-yard TD reception by Jarramy Stevens, this ended the third quarter with 14-10, Steelers.

By the 4th quarter, Hines Ward had secured the victory with a 43-yard TD pass by Randle El who made a fake-reverse-play. The 21-10 Steelers lead would be too much for the Seahawks to overcome and ultimately left Seattle with no options or chance to win the 2006 Super Bowl.

With the Steelers 2006 Super Bowl win, this ties them for the most Super Bowls won with the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers. Another record at the 2006 Super Bowl was Ben Roethlisberger, being the youngest quarterback to ever win a super bowl at 23 years and 11 months, despite having the lowest quarterback rating (22.6) ever by a Super Bowl winning quarterback.

Hines Ward, who had an exceptional year and even better 2006 Super Bowl was named the 2006 Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP) with 5 receptions for 123 yards, one touchdown and 18 yards rushing.