Jump straight to the main content
The temperature remained at approximately 11 degrees, which was significantly colder than the average temperature for the area by about 20 degrees. The roads were covered in ice and snow, leading to a chaotic traffic situation, further exacerbated by the presence of a vice president’s motorcade.
The inaugural Super Bowl held in the North commenced four decades ago, culminating in the San Francisco 49ers triumphing over the Cincinnati Bengals with a score of 26-21 at the Pontiac Silverdome.
After witnessing what many are hailing as the most remarkable divisional playoff round in history, the Niners and Bengals find themselves just a single victory away from a highly anticipated rematch on the grand stage.
However, on January 24, 1982, the Super Bowl XVI, a highly anticipated gridiron contest, was almost overshadowed by a series of shenanigans.
Vice President’s motorcade added to traffic woes
A well-known sports enthusiast, George H. W. Bush, the former President who actively participated in soccer and baseball during his time at Yale, displayed his passion for sports.
According to a 2017 Houston Chronicle article, Bush’s Super Bowl legacy included five remarkable moments. At the age of 92, he participated in the coin toss during Super Bowl LI in Houston. Additionally, he graced the stages of Super Bowl XXXIX and Super Bowl XXXVIII. Notably, Bush achieved a presidential first by personally attending the coin toss at Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans.
However, every remarkable Super Bowl tale has its beginning, and for the ex-president, his story began in Pontiac during his tenure as vice president.
Due to the icy weather in Michigan, Bush’s motorcade was said to have caused traffic delays for fans. Interestingly, even more significant than the second-in-command, a bus carrying a crew of special guests was also affected by the slowdown.
The wheels on the bus go nowhere in the snow
According to Robert Mays’ Sports Illustrated article, the Niners’ football team, along with coach Bill Walsh, were on a bus that experienced traffic difficulties. Eventually, the bus stopped near the Silverdome, allowing the anxious team to catch a glimpse of their destination.
In an attempt to pacify his players, Walsh allegedly took to the PA system, revealing a mix of good and bad news. Humorously, he disclosed that the game had commenced without their presence, constituting the bad news. However, the good news entailed the remarkable occurrence of the team’s equipment manager, Chico Norton, throwing a touchdown pass to George Cosmo, a fellow staff member. This unexpected play granted the Niners a 7-0 advantage.
The jokes were successful and seemed to have a soothing effect on the team.
In addition to facing the challenges of heavy traffic and inclement weather, the car transporting the former owner of the Niners, Edward DeBartolo, and his counsel Carmen Policy, also had O.J. Simpson on board.
As the trio hurried from the car to the entrance, Mays documented the scene, capturing fans taunting Simpson over a Hertz commercial where the legendary running back swiftly dashed to a counter.
It must have been quite a challenge to jog to the entrance. Despite the relatively warm average temperature of 11 degrees, the wind chill made it feel nearly 25 degrees below zero.
The ground was covered in a thick layer of snow and ice, as depicted by video clips from that day. Fans of the Bengals and Niners were seen cautiously making their way into the stadium, which was the biggest in the NFL at the time, accommodating 80,311 spectators.
Among the hubbub: the 49ers dynasty begins
As one sifts through the footage of that day, the abundance of storylines takes over, almost overshadowing the fact that a game was actually played.
However, the clash between the Niners and Bengals did occur after a coin toss conducted by the renowned Lions quarterback Bobby Layne.
After an initial turnover, San Francisco took the lead by scoring first and managed to secure a 20-0 advantage by halftime, thanks to three turnovers by Cincinnati. Although the Bengals put up a remarkable fight in the second half, their efforts were not enough to secure a victory.
With a triumphant victory of 26-21, San Francisco emerged as the champions, giving rise to the iconic Niners’ dynasty era. Over the course of 14 years, the team would claim an impressive five Super Bowl titles. In the heart of Pontiac, a talented young Joe Montana shone as he earned the Super Bowl MVP title. His exceptional performance included completing 14 out of 22 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown through the air, while also rushing for 18 yards and another touchdown.
In the Super Bowl, tight end Dan Ross of the Bengals recorded an impressive 104 yards and two touchdowns from 11 catches, setting a remarkable NFL record for the most receptions by a tight end in the championship game. It is worth noting that Travis Kelce from the Chiefs came close last year with 10 receptions for 133 yards in the Super Bowl.
According to certain reports, Walsh’s efforts to soothe his team played a crucial role in giving them an advantage over a Bengals team that was described as appearing anxious in a broadcast.
According to reports, Walsh showcased his college boxing skills by dancing and shadowboxing around the locker room, accompanied by the lively tune of Olivia Newton John’s “Physical”.
Entertainment, halftime show and more
The role of music in the grandeur of Super Bowl XVI was significant. Prior to the game, the University of Michigan’s marching band took the stage and performed an impressive version of the Canadian National Anthem, marking the first instance of two national anthems being played at a Super Bowl. Adding to the spectacle, the iconic Diana Ross later graced the event and delivered a sensational rendition of the U.S. National Anthem.
Ross would later make an appearance as the halftime show performer in Super Bowl XXX. While the iconic Supremes member did not perform during the halftime show in 1982, Motown was still represented. The nonprofit organization, Up with People, which utilizes the arts to assist young adults in excelling in diverse environments, provided the halftime entertainment.
As per the broadcast, a total of 30 performers hailing from 24 different countries showcased an enthralling musical extravaganza featuring songs from the 1960s, with a special focus on the iconic Motown hits. Adorned in vibrant button-up shirts, flowing skirts, trousers, and vests, the group skillfully danced and played guitars, delivering an energetic medley of popular tunes such as the twist, Monster Mash, and many others.
Definitely not Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, or Eminem.
Super hangover: Not all fun and games
The day following the conclusion of the game and the fading of the music, a Channel 4 report shed light on a more sinister aspect of the event. Journalist Robert Vito disclosed the details of the post-game cleanup, during which cleanup crews discovered approximately 500 wallets scattered under the seats and in restroom facilities.
According to Vito’s report, the stadium staff estimated that several hundred credit cards and approximately $200,000 in cash were stolen from the wallets. The broadcast mentioned that two individuals were arrested, and it was estimated that around 50 members of a nationwide pickpocket ring were responsible for the thefts.
As the broadcast aired, an anonymous woman revealed that she had her wallet snatched by a dubious-looking child while she leaned over to safeguard her husband’s wallet.
Vito questioned the woman, “What was the amount of money you had in there?”
“I had no money. That mischievous brat didn’t receive a single penny,” the woman responded cheerfully. She informed Vito that she had contacted the stadium and discovered that her wallet was somewhere there.
Vito’s report stated that the crew approximated the cleanup to require three days.
John Madden’s first Super Bowl in the broadcast booth
That day, four decades ago, witnessed the birth of numerous firsts. It marked the inaugural Super Bowl appearances of both franchises, who clashed in a game held in the North for the very first time.
The Telestrator, a tool used by announcers to illustrate plays for viewers at home, made its debut during Super Bowl XVI. This iconic game still holds the record for being one of the most-watched broadcasts in television history, boasting a Nielsen rating of 49.1 and a 73 share.
The late John Madden, a legendary broadcaster, made his debut on the Super Bowl stage by calling the big game for the very first time.
After being selected as the leading NFL duo for CBS in 1981, Madden teamed up with Pat Summerall. Summerall managed to secure the position over Vin Scully. From then on, Madden and Summerall went on to commentate the championship games until 2002, including Super Bowl XXVI where the Patriots emerged victorious against the Rams, led by the relatively unknown quarterback, Tom Brady.
So long to the Silverdome
The Silverdome remained standing until its demolition in the winter of 2017. Throughout its existence, it served as the home venue for not only the Lions, but also the Detroit Pistons from 1978 to 1988, the Detroit Express soccer team, and the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League. Additionally, various significant events took place within its walls, including a Motor City Bowl and Cherry Bowl, the 1979 NBA All-Star Game, FIFA World Cup games, and many others.
According to a story by Tony Paul and Adam Graham of the Detroit News, notable events took place at the venue. Michael Jackson delivered a performance, a pope made a visit, and on March 29, 1987, WrestleMania III attracted a remarkable crowd of 93,173 fans, setting a record for the largest indoor attendance for a sporting event in the US. However, this record was later surpassed by the 2010 NBA All-Star game, which drew an impressive 108,713 fans to Cowboys Stadium.
Despite the home team not making it, Super Bowl XVI still stands as a prominent memory for the dome. Nevertheless, the 1981 Detroit Lions did begin that season by defeating the 49ers with a score of 24-17.
