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#1. It Was Broadcast On Two Different Networks
The 1967 Super Bowl was the first championship game played between the AFL and NFL, and it was the only Super Bowl that had a simulcast.
This was due to each having rights to one of the leagues. NBC had the television rights to the AFL, while CBS had the rights to the NFL.
During the week, tensions flared between the staff of the two networks (longtime arch-rivals in American broadcasting), who each wanted to win the rating war, to the point where a fence was built between the CBS and NBC trucks.
#2. The 1967 Super Bowl Video Tape Was Wiped Clean
In the 1960s, it was common practice to wipe video tapes clean in order to save money. Each video tape cost around $300, which in 1960 was a considerable amount.
It took years to piece the game back together finally, and for years, only specific highlights could be seen.
On January 11, 2016, the NFL announced that "in an exhaustive process that took months to complete, NFL Films searched its enormous archives of footage and were able to locate all 145 plays from Super Bowl I from more than a couple of dozen disparate sources.
Once all the plays were located, NFL Films was able to put the plays in order and stitch them together while fully restoring, re-mastering, and color-correcting the footage.
#3. The NFL Was Considered Superior To The Upstart AFL
The NFL had been around since the 1920s, while the AFL had only been around since 1959. The NFL had established franchises, such as the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers, while the AFL's franchises were much newer.
It was believed that the AFL would not be able to compete with the historic NFL franchises and would probably get blown out.
The 1967 Super Bowl would somewhat prove that to be true, as the Chiefs did well in the first half but were demolished in the second half.
However, victories by the AFL in the 1969 and 1970 Super Bowls would give them the credibility that was needed and would lead to the two leagues merging into one league with two separate conferences.
#4. Bart Starr Would Be The First Super Bowl MVP
In 1966, Starr had arguably the best season of his career, throwing for 2,257 yards, 14 touchdown passes, and only 3 interceptions.
He led the NFL with a completion percentage of 62.2 and a 105 passer rating while leading the Packers to a dominating 12-2 record.
Starr would be named the NFL's Most Valuable Player by the Associated Press (AP), The Sporting News, the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA), and the UPI. In the NFL Championship Game against the Dallas Cowboys, Starr had his best postseason performance, throwing for 304 yards and 4 touchdown passes, leading the Packers to a 34-27 victory and the right to represent the NFL in the first-ever Super Bowl against the AFL champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Starr had another solid game against the Chiefs, throwing for 250 yards and two touchdowns, both to Max McGee, in a decisive 35-10 Packers win.
Starr was named the first-ever Super Bowl MVP for his performance. (Wikipedia)
#5. The First Super Bowl Did Not Sell Out
The 1967 Super Bowl was new, and while it was met with much excitement, it was still in its beginning stage.
Football does well for television, and both networks enjoyed much success in the ratings. However, it remains the only Super Bowl that did not sell out.
The exception to that is the 2021 Super Bowl, which was required to limit its seating capacity to 25,000 fans. Each ticket did sell, but it remains the least attended Super Bowl.
#6. The Super Bowl Trophy Did Not Bear Vince Lombardi's Name
Vince Lombardi never had a losing season. This is despite taking over the Green Bay Packers, who were the laughing stock in the league until he became their coach.
He would win the first two Super Bowls but unfortunately would be diagnosed with cancer and die at the age of 57 in 1970.
After his death, the Super Bowl Trophy was called the Lombardi Trophy in honor of one of the sport's greatest coaches.