Jan. 12, 1969.
Remember that date tonight when you watch Super Bowl LII between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles. Remember it as you view television commercials that will run $5 million for 30 seconds in hopes of making the phrase “dilly, dilly” – at least in the case of Bud Light – as popular around your home or office as Wendy’s’ “Where’s the beef?” once was.
Remember it as you watch this year’s high-tech halftime show featuring Justin Timberlake more than 90 minutes after millions are expected to be glued to their stopwatches as Pink sings the “Star-Spangled Banner,” all those clock watchers hopeful they’ve made the right “prop” bet on whether she’s over or under Las Vegas’ predicted 120 seconds.
Remember it, too, if anyone in your viewing party asks, “How did we get to this point?” where a single football game is the most-watched event in the world, because the Super Bowl that was staged on Jan. 12, 1969 – Super Bowl III – changed everything.
It was the Beatles pushing aside Frank Sinatra. It was Norman Rockwell losing a magazine cover to Peter Max. Or the curves of Sophia Loren finishing second to the human pencil that was Twiggy.