Speaking of that, first things first: An enduring myth of the game’s history is that that first game was not called the Super Bowl, but rather the “AFL-NFL Championship Game.” That technically is true, as an official name. But the term “Super Bowl” already was in wide, informal use by fans and the news media.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will have the opportunity to become the first quarterback and first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls on Sunday, when they square off against the Philadelphia Eagles. But they wouldn’t be the first to win three NFL championship games.