The NFL has transformed an average Sunday in the middle of winter into one of the most anticipated sports matches of the year. Several aspects of the Super Bowl have changed since its debut in 1967.

Initially, Super Bowl ticket prices were as low as six dollars. Now, the average price of a ticket is approximately 3,715 dollars, according to Forbes.com. More than just in the price of the tickets, noticeable changes have been observed in the football players themselves.

“The players are a little bigger, and a little faster.” Dean Mr. Patrick Howard said.

From earlier Super Bowls to this year, the average weight of a professional football player has risen from 250 pounds to 300 pounds. This drastic increase in weight can be attributed to dietary supplements that allow muscle to build faster and easier, along with strict diet regimens and intense training, according to minnpost.com.

The Super Bowl went from being a casual event to an American holiday. People use this day not only to watch football, but also to gather and celebrate with friends and family.

“I get together with my family and friends,” junior Taylor Contello said. “We order food and watch [the football game] together.”

Before, people looked forward to watching the game on TV. Now, some people tune in for the commercials alone.

“I feel like the Super Bowl is more about the advertisement than the game,” sophomore Diana Golden said.

From its first game to the forty-eighth, the Super Bowl has evolved from just a simple football game to an event where everyone can enjoy themselves.