College and professional football teams have rabid followers. While college athletic programs are usually associated with a particular state or geographical location, professional teams may command a national fan base. This is particularly true with famous professional teams such as the Green Bay Packers or the Dallas Cowboys. Some of the most memorable moments in sports history have come in football games, and the greatest professional event is the Super Bowl. This contest has become a national affair filled with passions and Super Bowl parties. Why did this game become so famous and where did it originate? James Buckley Jr. tells the story of the Super Bowl in this well written book from the Eyewitness Series.

In the 1920s, the early days of professional football, the league champion was the team with the most victories in the regular season. By the 1930s the two top teams in the National Football League began playing for the title. The players in the initial seasons were not required to wear helmets, and no one played with a face mask. These rough and tumble matches began to gather a following. In 1958, on national television, the Baltimore Colts won a famous overtime title game against the New York Giants. This dramatic game was watched by millions of viewers and cemented concept of televising championship football. The result of this was the first Super Bowl in 1967 between the famed Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs before a national television audience. The famed coach Vince Lombardi guided the Packers to their first Super Bowl triumph. Two years later, quarterback Joe Namath boldly predicted that the New York Jets would defeat the Baltimore Colts. Namath was famous for his strong arm, fur coats, white shoes and charming manner. Few believed that the Jets could defeat the Colts, but in front of the entire nation, Namath backed up his boast as the Jets won by a score of 16-7. When Namath ran off the field, he proudly held up his index finger to show that the Jets were number one.

In the succeeding decades many Super Bowls have left unforgettable memories for millions of viewers. The events leading up to the game are great fun as well, with tailgate parties, family gatherings and visits with friends. Buckley gives many interesting facts about all of these activities surrounding the Super Bowl. These include comments by players winning the Most Valuable Player award, pictures of famous plays in the Super Bowl and even the size of Super Bowl stadiums.

So what are some of your favorite Super Bowl memories? Have you ever wondered what the Super Bowl rings look like? What were some of the greatest plays in the Super Bowl? Which player has played in the most Super Bowls? It is not someone you would ever suspect. Do you have a favorite Super Bowl player? To find out the answers to these questions, go to the library and checkout this outstanding book, "Super Bowl," by James Buckley Jr.

The photographs and writing are excellent in this book. As with all Eyewitness Books, the book is filled with many interesting facts and compelling sidebars. Reading this book is like reliving many exciting Super Bowl Sundays. No matter what your favorite team is, you will find many things that will make you want to keep reading. All that is missing is the great food and pop. So go ahead and get some grilled chicken wings when you read this book. Just remember to wipe the grease off your fingers before turning the pages. Enjoy!