10 Unforgettable Super Bowl Moments

Every February, hundreds of millions of viewers gather around their TVs with cases of beer, plates of wings, and a room full of friends to take in the most important event in sports, the Super Bowl. While the teams facing off vary with each season, Americans (and fans abroad) remain glued to the screen. The Super Bowl isn’t just about the football players; it is a night for musicians and brands to flex their chops for the masses with electrifying performances and inescapable advertisements. Bands reunite. Catchphrases are born. And the occasional wardrobe malfunction occurs. Before the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks meet each other at the line this Sunday, take a look back at some of our favorite Super Bowl moments from years past.

Doug Williams made football history in 1988 when he became the first African-American to quarterback the Super Bowl. This made for such a media frenzy that he was allegedly asked during Media Day, “How long have you been a Black quarterback?” Williams and the Washington Redskins mowed over the Denver Broncos 42-10, and he was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. To date, Williams is the only Black quarterback with a Super Bowl ring.

In 1991, at the start of Operation Desert Storm, Whitney Houston took the stage at the Super Bowl to perform the National Anthem. Americans were unsure about entering into combat, and her jovial demeanor and flawless rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” was just the display of hope that audiences needed. This would be remembered as one of the most uplifting and patriotic performances in the history of the broadcast, and was even re-released after 9/11.

In one of the most highly regarded halftime shows yet, Prince shut down Super Bowl XLI with a classic rock-themed (and only subtly sexual) performance. His setlist included his own songs, selections from Queen, Jimi Hendrix and Tina Turner, and the FAMU Marching 100. The show ended serendipitously, as Prince belted out “Purple Rain” while precipitation poured into Miami’s Dolphin Stadium.

In 2000, Budweiser honored the complexity of Black male friendships with their Super Bowl spot, “Whassup?”, featuring filmmaker Charles Stone III and some friends chatting on the phone and drinking beer during a football game. The commercial was actually based on a short film by Stone, and went on to win a few awards. The phrase became a pop culture staple, featured in shows like “The Simpsons” and films like “Scary Movie.”

Janet Jackson has never been one for modesty. So viewers were expecting something provocative when it was announced that she would be playing the halftime show at the 2004 Super Bowl. But no one was prepared when Justin Timberlake performed “Rock Your Body” with the singer, and ripped a piece of her corset top away to expose an almost completely bare breast. Jackson absorbed the blame for the alleged mishap, and became the most searched term in internet history. (Youtube creator Jawed Karim credits the blip for sparking the idea for the video sharing website.)

Christina Aguilera‘s soulful voice and strong pipes had everyone thinking she would rock the National Anthem at the 2011 Super Bowl. But the pop star seemed to get carried away with the song. Aguilera got tangled up in her own riffs and runs, mixed up some of the words, and tried to make up for the slip-up by adding even more vocal acrobatics. Onlookers found the flub hard to ignore, and cameras on the field even caught a few players giggling.

The Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts squared off against each other in the 2007 Super Bowl. But this game was more than just a border war. The matchup was the first time in NFL history that two African-American coaches, Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy, would be competing for the championship. They were also the first Black coaches to lead their teams to the Super Bowl. The Colts were able to clench the win, 29-17, but the two are still good friends.

Super Bowl XXVII set the bar high for halftime performances when Michael Jackson delivered a high-powered set for thousands of fans in the stadium and millions more at home. The King of Pop performed career hits “Billie Jean”, “Black Or White” and “Heal The World”, during which he used the field, the stage and the stands to send a feel-good message about joining together to create a harmonious world for our children.

Beyonce began the year 2013 with a bang (and a blackout) when she headlined the Super Bowl XLVII Pepsi Halftime Show. Queen Bey performed tracks from her solo career amid a dizzying display of fire and lights, and was joined on stage by Destiny’s Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. The voltage on her set was so high that the lights of the Superdome burned out for some time after she finished, causing many fans to dub the game “The Beyonce Bowl.”

Only months after her mother, brother and nephew were tragically murdered by her estranged brother-in-law, Jennifer Hudson delivered a chill-inducing rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” to kick off the 2009 Super Bowl. Although Hudson was physically shaken, her voice showed unimaginable strength. Years later, she would perform again at the event, this time with the Sandy Hook Elementary School choir.