Keep Calm and Super Bowl On with Football Collectibles!

Across the country, Friday night lights have become a high school tradition while Sundays are reserved for tasty appetizers, America’s favorite brew and touchdowns. This all-American sport has become synonymous with elite athletes and last-minute wins.

In fact, last year’s Big Game brought in a record breaking 127.7 million viewers. And this Sunday’s game in Santa Clara, California is expected to be just as thrilling. Or, if you’re like me, you might be tuning in more for the commercials and snacks than the actual game. But for those of you that are actually there for the score, this is one of the biggest days of the year!

So, to get ready for this weekend’s kickoff, I’m taking a look through Littleton’s selection of football collectibles to relive some of the Big Game’s best moments.

Football’s original G.O.A.T.

Today when we think of the Greatest Of All Time (aka the G.O.A.T.), odds are that names like Tom Brady, Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw and Brett Favre come to mind. And while they’ve all earned that title, the original G.O.A.T. was born at the end of the 19th century. Excelling in every sport he played, this athlete helped changed football into what we see today. 

Named “the greatest American football player” in the 20th century by the Associated Press was Jim Thorpe. Born Wa-Tho-Huk to parents of Native American heritage, Thorpe was a natural athlete who quickly took to any game he participated in. It wasn’t long before he started playing sports professionally.  

After competing (and earning two gold medals) in the 1912 Olympics for track and field, Thorpe pivoted his professional career. A talented football player, he was hired to play in Ohio for the Canton Bulldogs in 1915. While playing for the Bulldogs, Thorpe would lead his team to the unofficial world championships which they’d win in 1916, 1917 and 1919.

When the American Professional Football Association (today the National Football League) was created in 1920, it was Thorpe who was elected to serve as the league’s first president. And while he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural class, it wouldn’t be until 1963 – ten years after his death.

The best part? Well, for all you football fanatics, you can add Thorpe’s athletic prowess to your football collectibles with the 2018 Native American dollar. These one-year-only dollars place the sports legend back into the spotlight where he belongs.

Games of Super Bowls past

Thanks to the work of players like Jim Thorpe and coaches like Vince Lombardi, the rest is history! And with almost 60 years of games behind us, there are a lot of great plays to reflect back on.

Take 2017’s Super Bowl LI for instance. Playing against the Falcons, Patriots player Tom Brady made a pass to Julian Edelman that ended in an unbelievable catch. Lunging for the ball amid three Falcons players, Edelman initially caught the ball before sending it flying back into the air. Acting quickly, he was able to recapture the football within an inch of reaching the ground and send the game into overtime. Edelman’s quick thinking allowed the Patriots to have the ultimate comeback and win 34-28.

Although Ram’s linebacker Mike Jones saved the day in Super Bowl XXXIV. Facing off against the Tennessee Titans in 2000, Jones made the play of the game. With just a few seconds left, the Titans attempted to throw the ball to receiver Kevin Dyson. But luck was on the Ram’s side as Jones reached Dyson in the nick of time. Jones was able to pull the wide receiver down and stop him from reaching the goal line with just one yard left.

And of course, we can’t forget the very first Super Bowl. Taking place in 1967, the inaugural game saw the Green Bay Packers take on the Kansas City Chiefs. With a football career that ended up spanning 12 years, Packers receiver Max “Maxie the Taxi” McGee became the first person to score a touchdown at the Super Bowl. Quarterback Bart Starr made the pass and McGee managed to catch the ball just before the Chiefs were able to reach it. Spurred on by adrenaline, McGee headed straight into the end zone and right into Super Bowl history.

Go team go!

As a New Englander, I’ll admit that the Patriots are my go-to team and I’m always happy to see them playing. But as far as the Super Bowl goes, I’m an equal opportunity sports fan! When it comes to seeing which team is going to walk away with the coveted championship ring at the end of the night (and okay maybe picking my favorite commercial!), it’s always exciting to see football history being made.

Whoever you’re rooting for in this year’s Big Game, one thing’s for certain: Sunday’s game is sure to have at least one play that will leave us all wanting more. So, grab your drink, a few good friends and get ready to score big in your Super Bowl collection ahead of the game this weekend.

©2026 Anheuser-Busch, LLC. Budweiser® is a registered trademark of Anheuser-Busch, used under license. This product is intended for purchase and use by 21+.

Sources:

Pro Football Hall of Fame. “Football History.” Accessed October 2, 2025. https://www.profootballhof.com/football-history/football-history

Pro Football Hall of Fame. “Nov 12 Birth of pro football.” Accessed October 2, 2025. https://www.profootballhof.com/football-history/nov-12-birth-of-pro-football

Olympics. “Jim Thorpe.” Accessed October 2, 2025. https://www.olympics.com/en/athletes/jim-thorpe

Pro Football Hall of Fame. “Jim Thorpe.” Accessed October 2, 2025. https://www.profootballhof.com/players/jim-thorpe

Popli, Nik. “The History of the Super Bowl.” Accessed October 2, 2025. https://time.com/6622138/super-bowl-history-facts