The first Super Bowl was played XLVI years ago, on January 15, 1967

Image obtained from this source.

Yes, kids, many years ago, the Super Bowl was actually played in January. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in that very first contest, XXXV-X. (Super Bowl XLVII won't be played this year until February III.)

The linked article, from Usual Suspect History.com, explains that the first "Super Bowl" was not even known by that name, not then, not officially. (The "Super Bowl" moniker did not become official until 1969, when Joe Willie Namath surprised the world by backing up his prediction in Super Bowl III.)

Neither does the linked article mention when the NFL first sued anyone for trying to use the name "Super Bowl" in an unauthorized commercial context -- but that's why TV, beer and chip sales in the next few weeks will merely urge you to get ready for the "Big Game."

And, although the Super Bowl is the super-duper-colossal-stupendous now, the first game wasn't even a sellout. On the other hand, according to History.com, each member of the winning Packers squad received $15,000 -- "the largest single-game share in the history of team sports."

Times really have changed.

Tuesday will also be National Strawberry Ice Cream Day.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929. His birthday will be observed, however, next Monday, January 21. Some of the Usual Suspects proclaim January 15 Humanitarian Day in honor of Dr. King's actual natal day.