February 1: The First 911 Call That Changed Emergencies Forever
On February 1, 1968, the first 911 call was made in Haleyville, Alabama. Before that day, Americans had to memorize separate numbers for police, fire, and ambulance.
Read More
January 15: The First Super Bowl Nobody Wanted to Attend
How 30,000 empty seats and erased footage made Super Bowl I a fascinating disaster
Super Bowl I happened January 15, 1967 with 30,000 empty seats because fans refused $12 tickets. Both networks erased the footage making it one of sports history's most valuable lost recordings.
Key Facts
Game Date
January 15, 1967 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Final Score
Green Bay Packers 35 to Kansas City Chiefs 10
Empty Seats
Over 30,000 seats unsold despite NFL blackout
Ticket Prices
$10 to $12 considered outrageously expensive
Broadcast Networks
CBS and NBC aired simultaneously
Missed Kickoff
NBC missed second half kickoff during commercials
Lost Footage
Both networks erased tapes to save money
First TD Scorer
Max McGee caught first Super Bowl touchdown
Tape Value
Sports Illustrated valued lost footage at $1 million
Attic Discovery
Troy Haupt found only copy in Pennsylvania attic
Quick Stats
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Attendance | 61,946 fans in a stadium holding over 90,000 |
| Sellout Status | Only Super Bowl that failed to sell out |
| Blackout Radius | 75 miles around Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
| Max McGee Stats | 7 catches for 138 yards and 2 touchdowns |
| Halftime Show | Two marching bands, jet packs, 300 pigeons |
| VIP Guests | Ten astronauts attended the game |
| Original Name | AFL NFL World Championship Game |
| NFL Offer for Tape | $30,000 versus Haupt asking $1 million |
About January 15: The First Super Bowl Nobody Wanted to Attend
Super Bowl I happened January 15, 1967 in Los Angeles but almost nobody cared. Over 30,000 seats sat empty because fans refused to pay $12 for tickets. Both networks then erased the footage, making it one of sports history's most valuable lost recordings.
Why 30,000 Seats Sat Empty at the First Super Bowl
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum had 61,946 fans but could hold over 90,000. Fans thought $10 to $12 tickets were outrageous. The NFL blacked out the broadcast within 75 miles hoping people would buy tickets instead. Many fans stayed home out of spite. Super Bowl I remains the only Super Bowl that failed to sell out.
NBC Missed the Kickoff So They Played It Twice
CBS and NBC both broadcast Super Bowl I simultaneously, the only time two networks ever shared the game. When the second half started, NBC was still running commercials. Officials made the teams kick off again so NBC viewers could see it. This ensured future Super Bowls would have one exclusive network.
A Falling Clock Nearly Killed Fans in the Stands
During the game, a giant hand from the Coliseum clock broke loose and plummeted over fifty feet into the stands. By sheer luck, that section was empty. The incident could have been catastrophic but went largely unreported.
Max McGee Went From Hungover Backup to Legend
Max McGee broke curfew the night before expecting to watch from the bench. When starter Boyd Dowler got injured, McGee entered still feeling his late night. He caught a spectacular one handed pass for the first Super Bowl touchdown ever. McGee finished with seven catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
Both Networks Erased the Only Recording
CBS and NBC both taped the game but erased the footage afterward. Videotape was expensive so networks routinely recorded over old broadcasts. Sports Illustrated valued the missing footage at one million dollars.
A Man Found the Only Copy in His Attic
In 2005, Troy Haupt discovered his father had recorded the CBS broadcast in Pennsylvania. He offered to sell it to the NFL for one million dollars. The NFL countered with $30,000. The legal standoff continued for years since Haupt owns the tapes but the NFL owns the copyrighted content. The footage finally screened in 2019.
📊
Historical Analysis
⚡Historical Significance
- •
Super Bowl I established the championship format that unified the AFL and NFL into modern professional football.
- •
The dual broadcast on CBS and NBC demonstrated the massive commercial potential of championship football.
- •
Despite the empty seats, the game laid groundwork for what would become the most watched annual sporting event in America.
📝Critical Reception
- •
Sports media initially questioned whether fans would care about a game between rival leagues that had been enemies.
- •
The empty seats were seen as embarrassing proof that the championship concept needed time to develop fan interest.
- •
TV ratings were strong despite attendance problems, signaling television would drive the Super Bowl's future success.
🌍Cultural Impact
- •
The Super Bowl grew from an undersold curiosity into the biggest single day sporting event in American culture.
- •
The erased footage became a cautionary tale about preserving historic broadcasts, changing how networks archive major events.
- •
Max McGee's unexpected heroics created the template for Super Bowl underdog stories that fans love to this day.
Before & After
📅Before
Before Super Bowl I, professional football was divided between two rival leagues that competed for players and fans. Championship games were league specific events without the cultural significance of a unified national championship.
🚀After
After Super Bowl I proved viable despite empty seats, the merged NFL created the blueprint for American sports dominance. The Super Bowl evolved into a de facto national holiday generating billions in advertising revenue and becoming the most watched broadcast of every year.
💡
Did You Know?
•
Super Bowl I had over 30,000 empty seats making it the only Super Bowl in history that failed to sell out its venue
•
NBC missed the second half kickoff while running commercials so officials made the teams kick off again
•
A giant clock hand fell over fifty feet into the stands during the game but miraculously hit an empty section
•
Max McGee broke curfew the night before then caught the first Super Bowl touchdown after entering as a backup
•
Both CBS and NBC erased their recordings of the game making Super Bowl I one of sports history's most valuable lost tapes
⭐
Why It Still Matters Today
•
Super Bowl I started a tradition now watched by over 100 million Americans annually
•
The lost footage mystery sparked changes in how networks preserve historic broadcasts
•
Ticket prices went from $12 to over $5,000 average for modern Super Bowls
•
The dual broadcast mistake led to exclusive network contracts worth billions today
•
Max McGee became the original Super Bowl legend proving anyone can become a hero on the biggest stage
🧠
Test Your Knowledge
How much do you know? Take this quick quiz to find out!
1. Why did Super Bowl I have over 30,000 empty seats?
2. Why did the second half kickoff happen twice?
💎
Original Insights
•
A falling clock hand nearly caused a disaster during the game but landed in an empty section of seats
•
The Harlem Globetrotters on an aircraft carrier was actually promoted more heavily than Super Bowl I in TV Guide that week
•
Ten astronauts attended as VIP guests split between both team benches
•
The halftime show featured jet pack performers buzzing around the stadium like human drones
•
The game was not even called Super Bowl officially until years later when the name stuck despite league resistance
Frequently Asked Questions
The first Super Bowl took place January 15, 1967 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35 to 10. Despite being a historic event, over 30,000 seats remained empty because fans thought $12 tickets were too expensive.
This article is reviewed by the Pagefacts team.
Editorial Approach:
This article reveals the forgotten chaos behind the first Super Bowl including empty seats, erased footage, a near disaster with a falling clock, and a hungover backup who became the game's unlikely hero.
More from Today In History
Explore more fascinating facts in this category
January 31: When 30,000 Soviets Lined Up for Big Macs
On January 31, 1990, McDonald's opened in Moscow after 14 years of negotiations. Over 30,000 Soviets waited in line. A Big Mac cost half a day's wages.
Read More
January 30: The Beatles' Surprise Rooftop Farewell
On January 30, 1969, the Beatles played their final public concert on a London rooftop. Police came, traffic stopped, and John hoped they passed the audition.
Read More