20 Super Bowl Controversies That Shook the NFL
The Super Bowl is no stranger to drama, and these 20 controversies prove that sometimes, the biggest plays happen off the field.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 7 min read
From cheating scandals to wardrobe malfunctions, the Super Bowl has seen its fair share of jaw-dropping moments. Some involved bizarre player behavior, while others exposed the NFL’s flaws on the biggest stage in sports. Whether it was an outrageous promise, an electrical blackout, or an ill-timed arrest, these controversies kept fans talking long after the final whistle.
1. The Joe Namath Guarantee
New York Jets on Wikimedia Commons
It was the prediction heard ‘round the world, from one of the biggest mouths in the game. “Broadway” Joe Namath was his name, and he unequivocally promised that his underdog New York Jets would win against the heavily favored Baltimore Colts. Braggadocio is one thing, but guaranteeing a win is not only ballsy—it’s borderline insulting. However, that didn’t stop the flashy QB from standing by his words, and in the end, the Jets pulled off the upset, making Namath’s promise feel like a spoiler.
2. Eugene Robinson Arrested
Keith Allison on Wikimedia Commons
Man, talk about poor timing. Eugene Robinson, a safety for the Atlanta Falcons, woke up on the day of the Super Bowl ready to receive the Bart Starr Award for “high moral character.” That same night, he was arrested for soliciting prostitution from an undercover cop. He still played in the game, but let’s say the award aged like milk.
3. Officiating Issues
Seattle Municipal Archives on Wikimedia Commons
There were a lot of extracurricular drama, but let’s talk about the game itself. Super Bowl officiating has always been scrutinized, but one of the most infamous examples happened when the Seattle Seahawks faced the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fans, analysts, and even neutral viewers were convinced the refs were making biased calls against Seattle. The NFL defended its officials, but that didn’t stop people from calling it one of the worst-officiated games in history.
4. Wardrobe Malfunction
Rich Esteban on Wikimedia Commons
This might be the most well-known controversy on this list—and one of the most infamous halftime show moments ever. Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake’s performance ended with a “wardrobe malfunction” that exposed part of Janet’s outfit. Whether it was an accident or planned remains a mystery, but the fallout was massive. The FCC cracked down on live broadcasts, and “wardrobe malfunction” became part of pop culture forever.
5. Stanley Wilson Caught
Mike Leporati on Wikimedia Commons
Some players mess up before they even get on the field. Cincinnati Bengals fullback Stanley Wilson was caught the night before the Super Bowl with illegal narcotics in his hotel room. This wasn’t his first offense, so the NFL banned him for life. Not only did he miss the biggest game of his career, but his football days were officially over.
6. Barret Robbins Disappears
Keith Allison on Wikimedia Commons
You need all your players locked in for the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, the Oakland Raiders were missing a key one when their center, Barret Robbins, disappeared before the game. He was later found in Tijuana, convinced that his team had already won. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after the incident, and the Raiders suffered without him on the field.
7. Jim McMahon’s Bad Behavior
Jeno’s on Wikimedia Commons
The Chicago Bears were full of big personalities, and their quarterback Jim McMahon might have been the wildest of them all. Leading up to the game, he pulled one of the most bizarre stunts ever—mooning a helicopter full of reporters. Yep, he dropped his pants for an entire media crew flying above practice. The Bears ended up winning, proving that sometimes, antics don’t mess up the scoreboard.
8. Triple X Content
Bobk2314 on Wikimedia Commons
Football fans in Tucson, Arizona got a surprise during the Super Bowl. A hacker hijacked the local Comcast broadcast, interrupting the game with adult content. The culprit was caught and sentenced to probation, but not before thousands of unsuspecting fans got quite the halftime show.
9. Blackout
Center Grove High School Bands on Wikimedia Commons
Super Bowls are known for big lights, but this one went dark—literally. The stadium hosting the game suffered a power outage that delayed the action for over 30 minutes. Finger-pointing and conspiracy theories ran wild, but officials eventually blamed a faulty power connection. Imagine paying thousands for a ticket, only to sit in darkness for half an hour.
10. Poor Sport Patriots
Pats1 T/C on Wikimedia Commons
The New England Patriots were already in hot water from the Spygate scandal when another controversy popped up. The St. Louis Rams accused them of again secretly recording their pre-game strategy. A source claimed a Patriots employee had stolen key information before the game, fueling accusations that New England’s success was built on shady tactics. For a team that won so much, their legacy sure has a lot of asterisks.
11. The Mystery of the Missing Lombardi Trophy
BobbbyLight on Wikimedia Commons
Winning the Super Bowl is one thing—keeping the trophy is another. The Dallas Cowboys won, but their championship trophy mysteriously disappeared from the locker room. No one knew where it went, and it remained lost for years. Eventually, it resurfaced, but how it vanished remains one of the weirdest Super Bowl mysteries.
12. The Coin Toss Controversy
Arniep on Wikimedia Commons
A coin toss should be simple, right? Not at the Super Bowl. Hall of Famer Joe Namath jumped the gun and flipped the coin before the ref was ready, forcing them to do it again. It wasn’t a huge deal, but it definitely made for an awkward moment on the biggest stage.
13. The National Anthem Backlash
PH2 Mark Kettenhofen on Wikimedia Commons
Whitney Houston’s national anthem is considered the best ever—but was it live? Reports later revealed that Houston lip-synced over a pre-recorded track. The NFL claimed it was necessary for sound quality, but some fans felt a little cheated. Even if it wasn’t live, it was still legendary.
14. The 12th Man on the Field
Michael Barera on Wikimedia Commons
Having an extra player is usually a good thing—except when it’s a penalty. The Dallas Cowboys were flagged for having twelve men on defense in a crucial moment. The Pittsburgh Steelers took advantage and scored, sealing their Super Bowl win. Sometimes, one mistake is all it takes.
15. The Dolphins’ Champagne Tradition
Pete Souza on Wikimedia Commons
The 1972 Miami Dolphins are the only team to finish a season undefeated, and they allegedly celebrate every year when no one else does. Whenever the last undefeated team loses, rumors say the old Dolphins players pop champagne. Some call it confidence; others call it petty. Either way, they keep making headlines decades later.
16. Deflated Balls Before Brady
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Before “Deflategate,” the Patriots were already accused of messing with game balls. In their win against the Rams, there were whispers that New England had tampered with footballs. No official punishment came from it, but it laid the foundation for later controversies. Turns out, the Patriots have always been great at bending the rules.
17. Leon Lett’s Premature Celebration
All-Pro Reels on Wikimedia Commons
Never celebrate too early—just ask Leon Lett. The Cowboys player recovered a fumble and ran it back for a touchdown, except that he started celebrating before he crossed the goal line. A Buffalo Bills player knocked the ball out, causing a turnover. That’s what you call a touchdown that wasn’t.
18. Super Bowl Tickets Scandal
Voice of America on Wikimedia Commons
Believe it or not, the first Super Bowl didn’t sell out. Thousands of seats were empty because fans weren’t interested. Tickets cost just $12, and scalpers ended up losing money. Today, Super Bowl tickets go for thousands—talk about a glow-up.
19. The “No Call” Pass Interference
All-Pro Reels on Wikimedia Commons
One play had Colts fans furious. A Saints defender seemed to blatantly interfere with a Colts receiver, but the refs let it slide. The Saints went on to win, and Colts fans never let it go. Sometimes, not making a call is the real controversy.
20. The Phantom Touchdown
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Dallas Cowboys fans still aren’t over this one. Officials ruled that a Baltimore Colts player scored a touchdown, but replays suggested otherwise. In the days before video reviews, the call stood, and the Colts won. Cowboys fans have been bitter ever since.