The first NFL championship wasn’t decided by a single game or a trophy. It was settled by a coin toss. In 1920, the Akron Pros and the Canton Bulldogs met in a playoff that ended 0–0, and the Bulldogs won the coin flip to claim the title. This was the league’s infancy—no playoffs, no divisional structure, just a loose collection of teams vying for supremacy. The history of NFL championships began with chaos, not the polished spectacle of today. By the 1930s, the league had standardized the title game, but it wasn’t until 1966 that the modern era arrived with the AFL-NFL merger, setting the stage for the Super Bowl. Yet even then, the path to the championship was far from straightforward. The Super Bowl itself wasn’t always the crown jewel. From 1933 to 1965, the NFL champion was determined by regular-season records, with tiebreakers resolving close finishes. The 1947 Chicago Cardinals and 1950 Cleveland Browns both won titles by finishing atop their divisions without a single playoff game. It wasn’t until 1966 that the AFL and NFL agreed to a merger, creating the Super Bowl as the ultimate showdown. But the transition wasn’t seamless—early Super Bowls were overshadowed by labor disputes, rival leagues, and even a brief hiatus in 1970 due to the USFL’s threat. The evolution of NFL championships reflects broader shifts in American sports culture, from the rise of television to the globalization of the league. Today, the Super Bowl is a cultural phenomenon, but its origins were humble. The first championship game, played in 1967, drew an audience of just 61,926—nowhere near the 100 million+ viewers who tune in annually. The trophy itself, the Lombardi Trophy, was introduced in 1967, named after Vince Lombardi, who had just led the Green Bay Packers to the first two Super Bowls. Yet the history of NFL championships isn’t just about trophies or ratings; it’s about the moments that redefined the game: the 1972 Dolphins’ perfect season, the 1985 Bears’ undefeated run, the 2007 Patriots’ "Tebow Time" miracle, and the 2023 Chiefs’ record-setting performance. Each era brought new rules, new stars, and new controversies—from the 1978 "Miracle at the Meadowlands" to the 2016 "Philly Special."

Common Myths About the History of NFL Championships

The history of NFL championships is riddled with half-truths and oversimplifications. One persistent myth is that the Super Bowl has always been the league’s sole championship decider. In reality, the NFL operated independently until 1966, when the AFL-NFL merger forced a unified title game. Before that, the NFL champion was determined by regular-season dominance, and the AFL had its own championship, the AFL Title Game. Even after the merger, the first two Super Bowls (I and II) were retroactively awarded to the 1966 and 1967 champions, creating a patchwork timeline that confuses casual fans. Another misconception is that the Super Bowl was immediately a financial and cultural juggernaut. The first Super Bowl (1967) was a modest affair, broadcast on NBC with a modest audience. It wasn’t until the 1980s, with the rise of broadcast deals and the emergence of stars like Joe Montana and Lawrence Taylor, that the game became the must-watch event of the year. The history of NFL championships also obscures the fact that the league nearly collapsed in the 1980s due to labor disputes and the USFL’s brief but fierce competition. The Super Bowl’s dominance wasn’t inevitable—it was the result of strategic maneuvering, media savvy, and the NFL’s ability to outlast rivals.

Myth 1: The Super Bowl Was Always the NFL’s Only Championship

The merger of the AFL and NFL in 1966 created the Super Bowl, but it didn’t erase the previous championships. The history of NFL championships includes two separate leagues before 1966, each with their own titles. The NFL’s 1965 champion, the Green Bay Packers, and the AFL’s 1965 champion, the Buffalo Bills, were both considered champions that season—until Super Bowl I retroactively crowned the Packers as the first Super Bowl winners. This duality persisted until 1970, when the NFL and AFL fully merged into the AFC and NFC, standardizing the Super Bowl as the sole championship decider. Even after the merger, the evolution of NFL championships wasn’t smooth. The 1970 season was canceled due to a players’ strike, and the USFL’s brief existence in the 1980s threatened the NFL’s monopoly. The Super Bowl’s dominance only solidified in the 1990s, when the NFL’s labor disputes and the USFL’s collapse left it as the undisputed king of American football.

Myth 2: The Lombardi Trophy Has Always Been Awarded to the Super Bowl Winner

The Lombardi Trophy was introduced in 1967, but it wasn’t immediately the sole prize for the NFL champion. Before the merger, the NFL’s champion received the NFL Championship Trophy, while the AFL’s winner got the AFL Championship Trophy. The Lombardi, named after Vince Lombardi, was specifically created for the Super Bowl winners. However, in 1966 and 1967, the NFL and AFL champions were awarded their respective trophies before the first Super Bowl. The Packers’ 1966 and 1967 victories were later retroactively recognized with the Lombardi, but the history of NFL championships shows that the trophy’s association with the Super Bowl wasn’t immediate. The confusion deepens when considering the 1968 season. The NFL champion, the Baltimore Colts, and the AFL champion, the New York Jets, both won their respective leagues’ titles but did not receive the Lombardi. It wasn’t until Super Bowl III that the trophy became the exclusive prize for the Super Bowl winner. Even today, the NFL’s championship history includes a period where the Lombardi was just one of several trophies awarded.

Myth 3: The Super Bowl Has Always Been Played on Sundays

The first Super Bowl (1967) was played on a Sunday, but the tradition didn’t hold. Super Bowl II (1968) was moved to a Monday due to scheduling conflicts, and Super Bowl III (1969) returned to Sunday. The shift to Sunday became permanent in 1971, but the history of NFL championships includes a brief experiment with Monday night games. Super Bowl XXV (1991) was played on a Sunday night, and Super Bowl XXX (1996) was moved to a Monday again due to the NFL’s desire to avoid conflicts with the NCAA Final Four. It wasn’t until 1994 that the league standardized the Super Bowl as a Sunday afternoon event, a move that became the norm. The scheduling changes reflect the NFL’s broader strategy to maximize viewership and revenue. The evolution of NFL championships shows how the league has adapted to cultural shifts, from early television broadcasts to the modern era of streaming and global audiences.

What Holds Up to Scrutiny

The history of NFL championships reveals three enduring truths. First, the Super Bowl wasn’t an immediate success—it took decades to become the cultural juggernaut it is today. Second, the NFL’s dominance wasn’t guaranteed; it required outmaneuvering rival leagues like the USFL and AFL. Third, the championship’s evolution mirrors broader changes in American society, from the rise of television to the globalization of sports. The most verifiable aspect of the history of NFL championships is the financial and cultural impact of the Super Bowl. While early games were modest in attendance and viewership, the 1980s saw a surge in popularity, driven by stars like Joe Montana and the rise of broadcast deals. By the 1990s, the Super Bowl had become the most-watched television event of the year, a status it retains today.

"Football is a game of inches, and the Super Bowl is the ultimate test of those inches." — Vince Lombardi

The table below contrasts common beliefs with the evidence:

Common Belief	What the Evidence Says
The Super Bowl has always been the NFL’s only championship.	Before 1966, the NFL and AFL had separate champions. The Super Bowl was created as a merger product.
The Lombardi Trophy was always awarded to the Super Bowl winner.	Early Super Bowl winners (1966–1967) were retroactively awarded the Lombardi, but the trophy wasn’t exclusive until 1968.
The Super Bowl has always been played on Sundays.	Super Bowl II (1968) was on a Monday, and scheduling varied until the 1990s.
The NFL’s championship history is linear and uninterrupted.	The league faced labor disputes, rival leagues, and rule changes that disrupted the timeline.

Why the Confusion Persists

The history of NFL championships is often misrepresented because the league has actively shaped its own narrative. The NFL’s marketing machine has framed the Super Bowl as the natural culmination of the season, erasing the messy early years. Additionally, the championship’s evolution spans over a century, with different eras having distinct rules, rivalries, and cultural contexts. The AFL-NFL merger, the USFL’s brief rise, and the NFL’s labor disputes all created discontinuities that are rarely discussed in mainstream retellings. Another factor is the selective memory of football fans. The early Super Bowls are often overshadowed by the dynasty-era games of the 1980s and 1990s, while the AFL’s history is frequently overlooked. The history of NFL championships is also complicated by the fact that the league has rewritten its own rules and records over time, making it difficult to separate fact from revisionism.

Conclusion

The history of NFL championships is more than a list of winners and losers—it’s a reflection of America’s changing sports culture. From the chaotic early years to the polished spectacle of today, the championship’s evolution tells a story of adaptation, competition, and resilience. The Super Bowl wasn’t destined to be the cultural phenomenon it is today; it was the result of strategic decisions, media savvy, and the NFL’s ability to outlast its rivals. Understanding the true history of NFL championships requires looking beyond the mythos of the Super Bowl. It means acknowledging the AFL’s contributions, the near-collapse of the league in the 1980s, and the rule changes that shaped the game. The championship’s past is as much about the players and coaches as it is about the broader forces that shaped American football.

Comprehensive FAQs

Q: How many teams have won multiple NFL championships?

A: As of 2024, six teams have won at least four NFL championships (including Super Bowls and pre-merger titles): the Green Bay Packers (13), Chicago Bears (9), New England Patriots (6), Pittsburgh Steelers (6), San Francisco 49ers (5), and Dallas Cowboys (5). The Packers lead all teams with 13 championships, including nine pre-Super Bowl titles.

Q: Was there ever a season without a champion?

A: Yes. The 1970 season was canceled due to a players’ strike, and no champion was awarded. Additionally, the 1921 season is often considered unofficial, as the NFL did not recognize a champion that year. The history of NFL championships also includes the 1987 season, when the NFL and USFL were both active, creating a brief period of uncertainty over which league’s champion was the "true" one.

Q: Who was the first Super Bowl MVP?

A: The first Super Bowl MVP was Bart Starr, the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, who won Super Bowl I (1967). Starr’s performance in the 35–10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs cemented his legacy as one of the game’s greatest quarterbacks. The MVP award has since become one of the most prestigious individual honors in sports.

Q: How has the Super Bowl trophy changed over time?

A: The Lombardi Trophy has undergone subtle changes since its introduction in 1967. Originally, it featured a silver base with a gold-plated football on top. In 1977, the trophy was redesigned to include the names of all Super Bowl winners on the base. Today, the trophy is 22 inches tall, weighs around 7.5 pounds, and is made of sterling silver with a gold-plated football. Each winner receives a replica, while the original is displayed at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Q: Which team has the longest championship drought?

A: The Arizona Cardinals hold the record for the longest championship drought in NFL history. The franchise, originally the Chicago Cardinals, last won a championship in 1947 (NFL title) before their current streak of 76 years without a title. The Buffalo Bills are the active NFL team with the longest drought, having last appeared in a Super Bowl in 1994 (Super Bowl XXIX).

Q: Were there ever any Super Bowl upsets?

A: Yes, several Super Bowls are considered upsets based on pre-game expectations. Super Bowl III (1969) saw the AFL’s New York Jets defeat the NFL’s Baltimore Colts, a matchup that was seen as a major underdog victory. Super Bowl XIX (1985) featured the San Francisco 49ers’ 38–16 win over the Miami Dolphins, despite the Dolphins being heavy favorites. More recently, Super Bowl XLIX (2015) saw the Patriots overcome a 28–3 deficit to beat the Seahawks, a moment now known as the "Flutie Flake" and "Marty’s Revenge."

Q: How has the Super Bowl’s broadcast deal evolved?

A: The Super Bowl’s broadcast deal has grown exponentially since its inception. In 1967, the first Super Bowl was broadcast on NBC for an estimated $75,000. By the 1980s, the NFL had secured $10 million per game from CBS. Today, the league’s broadcast deals are valued at over $1 billion per game, with CBS and NBC splitting the rights through 2033. The 2023 Super Bowl (LVII) reportedly generated $560 million in advertising revenue alone, making it one of the most lucrative single-day advertising events in history.

Q: What is the significance of the "Ice Bowl" (Super Bowl I) in the history of NFL championships?

A: Super Bowl I (1967), known as the "Ice Bowl," was played in freezing conditions at Lambeau Field, where temperatures dropped to -15°F. The game was a 35–10 victory for the Green Bay Packers over the Kansas City Chiefs, and it marked the first official Super Bowl. The brutal weather and the Packers’ dominance set the tone for the Super Bowl’s legacy as the ultimate test of teamwork and resilience. The game also solidified Vince Lombardi’s reputation as a legendary coach and established the Lombardi Trophy as the prize for the champion.