The Super Bowl: Chasing Football Immortality

Gr 6 Up—The Super Bowl's status as a major American sporting event is indisputable. Doeden has produced a solid winner with this historical account of the annual event. Beginning with the meeting of representatives from 11 professional football teams in 1920 in Canton, OH, he examines the disorganized circumstances surrounding the formation of the National Football League. Some decades later, Super Bowl I was born in 1967, drawing 62,000 fans. Doeden's overview of this major championship game is enlightening and includes information on halftime entertainment and off the field activities. Images consist of numerous, captivating photographs. The author doesn't shy away from controversial issues that affect the sport. He also discusses efforts to broaden football's international appeal—could there be a Super Bowl overseas one day? Supplementing the text is a listing of team and individual records.