Are you a football fan? Do you love the National Football League (NFL)? If so, then get ready for some fun and fascinating facts about this exciting sport. From the Super Bowl to player trivia, team nicknames, and game day traditions, there’s something for every football fan in this list of 50 amazing facts:
1. The first Super Bowl was played on January 15, 1967, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 35-10.
2. The most successful coach in NFL history is Don Shula, who led the Miami Dolphins to an undefeated season in 1972 and two Super Bowls championships. He has a total of 347 wins as head coach.
3. The NFL record for the longest field goal ever kicked belongs to Matt Prater of the Denver Broncos. On December 8, 2013, he booted a 64-yarder against the Tennessee Titans.
4. The NFL’s all-time leading rusher is Emmitt Smith, who amassed 18,355 yards during his career with the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals.
5. The New England Patriots have won six Super Bowls titles since their founding in 1960 – more than any other franchise in NFL history.
6. Quarterback Tom Brady holds numerous records including being named MVP four times, winning seven Super Bowls, throwing over 50 touchdown passes in three different seasons, and passing for over 70,000 yards in his career.
7. The Chicago Bears are known for their iconic “GSH” logo, which stands for George S. Halas, the team’s founder and longtime owner.
8. The Pittsburgh Steelers were originally called the Pirates when they joined the NFL in 1933 but changed their name to the Steelers in 1940 after World War II caused a shortage of steel.
9. The Indianapolis Colts were once located in Baltimore where they were known as the Baltimore Colts before moving to Indiana in 1984.
10. The NFL Draft takes place each year in April and consists of seven rounds. Teams select players based on their college performance and potential to play professionally.
11. The first overall pick in the draft usually receives a large signing bonus and multiyear contract worth millions of dollars.
12. Some notable quarterbacks taken with the number one overall pick include Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, Cam Newton, and Baker Mayfield.
13. The NFL Combine is held annually in February and serves as a showcase for top collegiate talent looking to enter the league. Players undergo physical testing, interviews, and drills to demonstrate their skills.
14. The NFL Scouting Combine has been held in Indianapolis since its inception in 1982.
15. One of the most famous plays in NFL history occurred during Super Bowl XLII between the Giants and Patriots. David Tyree made a miraculous catch off his helmet that helped lead the Giants to victory.
16. Another memorable moment came during Super Bowl XXXVIII when Justin Timberlake accidently exposed Janet Jackson’s breast during halftime causing controversy and outrage from viewers.
17. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is located in Canton, Ohio and houses exhibits dedicated to the history of professional football.
18. The NFL has had several mascots throughout its history including the San Diego Chicken, who entertained fans with comedic antics and slapstick humor.
19. The Oakland Raiders have a reputation for having rowdy and loyal fans who create a hostile environment for visiting teams.
20. Monday Night Football debuted in September 1970 and quickly became one of the most popular shows on television thanks to its colorful commentary and dramatic storylines.
21. The Buffalo Bills lost four consecutive Super Bowls in the early 1990s despite having star players like Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, and Bruce Smith.
22. The Seattle Seahawks adopted the “12th Man” concept, referring to their loud and supportive home crowd, which creates a deafening atmosphere inside CenturyLink Field.
23. The Detroit Lions hold the distinction of being the only team to go winless in a full regular season schedule, going 0-16 in 2008.
24. The Philadelphia Eagles were founded in 1933 and have won four NFL Championships, including their first Super Bowl title in 2018.
25. The Atlanta Falcons were almost moved to another city in the mid-1980s due to poor attendance and financial struggles until new ownership took over and turned things around.
26. The Minnesota Vikings have never won a Super Bowl despite reaching it four times, losing each time to teams such as the Steelers, Redskins, and Rams.
27. The Carolina Panthers entered the NFL in 1995 and reached their first Super Bowl just ten years later, losing to the New England Patriots.
28. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went through a period of futility in the late 1970s and early 1980s, posting a dismal record of 2-12 twice in a row.
29. The New Orleans Saints were devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, forcing them to relocate temporarily to Baton Rouge while their stadium was repaired.
30. The St. Louis Rams moved back to Los Angeles in 2016 after spending nearly 20 years in Missouri. They previously played in LA from 1946-1994.
31. The Cleveland Browns were among the original AAFC teams that merged with the NFL in 1950 and have a rich tradition of success despite not winning a championship since 1964.
32. The Houston Texans were added to the NFL in 2002 as part of the league’s expansion efforts and have yet to reach a Super Bowl.
33. The Washington Redskins have faced criticism for their use of Native American imagery and namesake, prompting calls for change from activists and politicians alike.
34. The Jacksonville Jaguars were established in 1995 and have made it to the postseason five times, including a trip to the AFC Championship Game in 2018.
35. The Kansas City Chiefs were the first team to hire a female coach when they brought on Kathryn Smith as special teams quality control coach in 2016.
36. The Los Angeles Chargers began life as the Los Angeles Rams before moving to San Diego and eventually returning to LA in recent years.
37. The Miami Dolphins were the first team to complete a perfect season in 1972, finishing with a record of 17-0 en route to their second straight Super Bowl appearance.
38. The New York Giants have won eight NFL Championships, including four Super Bowls, making them one of the most successful franchises in league history.
39. The New York Jets famously upset the heavily favored Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, cementing Joe Namath’s legacy as a legendary quarterback.
40. The Oakland Athletics baseball team used to share a stadium with the Raiders until both teams moved into separate facilities in the 1980s.
41. The Phoenix Cardinals were founded in 1898 and are the oldest continuously run professional football club in America.