Super Bowl III Memories

Image courtesy of marada's Flickr page - Pro Football Hall of Fame: https://www.flickr.com/photos/marada/18349271420/in/photolist-s9jx2h-6WanDm-88EBAf-88EBFW-6Wakz7-6WamJ3-6WavG5-6Wapgd-7AA2Cj-eZaZFx-tXsP7C-ucHyh9-5V94An-8qJEgH-744DSK-ofEBCj-7ZjcnY-4qX6xk

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Super Bowl Rings:

Image courtesy of Ryan Schreiber Flickr page - Super Bowl rings: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanschreiber/2966914635/in/photolist-9fhtR7-mTUuPg-7BfrrT-8VABVJ-71329o-dkVSiW-713aji-716t8C-6ZY2fn-aaJzti-bSQYxn-8qJEPk-caGaTw-7s88nt-4qr4K5-gvvHpq-bZ7QUG-5wbdmB-qJWkZK-9TA5tc-712koy-679ZUN-hkLnBw-712XU1-716sLj-712Zih-712YYw-6ZY1P4-712Ys5-6ZXY5z-7131DJ-713g7L-6ZYeHM-6ZYdeF-6ZYdPe-6ZYgjz-6ZYedK-7139TJ-7124Do-9fE3N7-a3dxxG-716YLQ-6ZYbrr-6ZYfMi-6ZYcBx-7138ew-713aSy-dBNXDK-713ehv-46Wiar

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Super Bowl III - January 12, 1969 played in the Orange Bowl, Miami. MVP Joe Namath, Favorite Colts by 18, National anthem Anita Bryant, Halftime show "America Thanks" with Florida A&M University, Attendance 75,389, Network NBC, Announcers Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis and Kyle Rote, Nielsen ratings 36.0 est. 41.66 million viewers, Cost of 30-second commercial US$55,000. Matt Snell 30 121 1, Emerson Boozer 10 19, Tom Matte 11 116, Joe Namath 17 28 206 0 0, Johnny Unitas 11 24 110 0 1, Earl Morrall 6 17 71 0 3, George Sauer 8 133, Jimmy Orr 3 42, John Mackey 3 35. 

The game was played on January 12, 1969 and was preceded by star Jets quarterback Joe Namath famously guaranteeing victory just days before the big game. That was saying something for a few reasons. Firstly, the American Football league (AFL) was considered an inferior league, and the convincing victories by the Green Bay Packers in the first two Super Bowls reinforced this sense of superiority. Secondly, the Baltimore Colts that year were one of the most dominant teams in NFL history to that point. Finally, this had come at a time when making guarantees in sports was not the flavor of the moment, like it has become since. To make matters seemingly worse for Jets coaches hoping for a quiet week, Namath suggested that five AFL quarterbacks were better than Earl Morrall of the Colts. So, when Namath said those things, it really made news.        

No personal memories to share from this game, although as a fan of local NFL football, the game figured prominently in local sports lore. My grandfather was a fan, and plenty of people that I have known, both family and friends alike, remember this game well. As for what was going on in the world? Well, 1968 was over, and it had been a pretty tumultuous year. In that sense, this game fit the times, as the upstart Jets managed to get the best of the more established NFL, and went some ways towards getting out of the shadow of the Giants. Later in the year, the New York Mets would shock many by winning the World Series. But the Vietnam War had intensified greatly by 1969, as had anti-war protests and resistance within American borders. Richard Nixon was the new president, having promised peace with honor. Later in the year, man would walk on the moon. One month after that came Woodstock, the most famous and brilliant concert of all. The Beatles were coming close to ending their tenure atop the music world, as the break up was well on it's way, although the band had released the White Album very late in 1968, which meant that it was still quite new by the time Super Bowl III was being played.

This is the original television broadcast in full color and solid audio of one of the most memorable and historic games in the history of the NFL, and the very first championship game named "Super Bowl"! The Jets, representing the American Football League, versus the heavily-favored Baltimore Colts from the National Football League in the Orange Bowl in Miami. It is known as one the biggest upsets in the history of sports, and is credited with making the Super Bowl a must see for it's unpredictability. The Colts were prohibitive favorites (the line was 18 points), but almost got shut out in the game instead!