Super Bowl LII (52) is almost here, and there may be much more action and fun going on than you even know was happening! Before I explain, let me paint a picture for the backdrop of this story with Bob-Ross-like-texture.
It was way back in the days of the Super Bowl shuffle, now 32 years ago in 1985 when the Mike Ditka, Jim McMahon, Walter Peyton and the Chicago Bears –with their 46 Defense— met a barely-made-it, Cinderella-story, New England Patriots team, led by Hall of Famer Raymond Berry, Tony Eason, and Steve Grogan in New Orleans for Super Bowl XX. It was during this game that a single touchdown caused a 3.8 catalyst quake that shook America and changed the way we look at NFL football forever.
If you were alive back then and remember this season—I was only seven, but remember it quite clearly— and the hype surrounding the Chicago Bears … it was like nothing we had ever seen before in sports. These guys were like rock stars; true sports gods. The 46 Defense with Richard Dent and Mike Singletary were smashing records and offensive units, and the #2-ranked offense had swagger for days. They even had a secret weapon –well, not so secret after first use— number 72. A first-round, 335-defensive by the name of William ‘the Refrigerator’ Perry.
In the 1984 NFC Championship Game, the San Francisco 49ers had pulled out their pick axes and were carving into the Bears … mining for blood. Bill Walsh, ever the innovator lined up offensive guard, Guy McIntyre in the backfield, blocking for Wendell Tyler in the ‘Angus Formation’. Suddenly the two-field-goal 49er lead is 13-0. You can see the Anger on Mike Ditka’s face … this isn’t traditional football; this isn’t playing fair.
Skip to 1985, Week 6 of the following season –the Bears’ epic season. The Bears face the 49ers again in Candlestick Park and in a bit of revenge, out trots #72 into the backfield when the Bears are already winning … Just like Walsh did to them some months ago. But Perry isn’t in the game to just block. On his first snap in the backfield, the Fridge carries the ball. But Ditka isn’t done with the Refrigerator. Week 7 is a Monday Night Showdown and with Perry lined up in the backfield right of center, #72 pounds one in for a goal-line touchdown and becomes the talk of America. In the following weeks, he receives a touchdown pass, and even executes an athletic fullback dive to score against the Atlanta Falcons.
Football fans around America even non-Bears fans are glued to their televisions sets across the United States when the Bears play just to see if the big guy will carry the ball –the biggest offensive skill position player ever. It’s no log before betting odds emerge on whether or not William the Refrigerator Perry will score a touchdown in Super Bowl XX. Many people get in early at 75/1, meaning you would win $75.00 for every dollar bet. The popularity of the bet eventually drove the payout price all the way down to 2/1, proving how many people were on the Perry bandwagon. And on January 26th, 1986 when the Fridge smashed through the Patriots’ offensive line to score a Super Bowl touchdown, NFL prop betting was truly born.
Last year, Westgate in Las Vegas listed 400 Super Bowl LI props and over 500 were listed at sportsbooks around the world! Everything for the color of Gatorade to be dumped on the winning coach, to whether the coin-toss will land heads or tails, to the duration of the National Anthem, or which song the half-time show performer will open with, and even crazy cross-sports props Like who will have more: Lebron James points in his next game or Matt Ryan pass completions!
Stay up to date on ALL of Super Bowl 52 props. SBR is offering a selection of the best super bowl prop bets out there! Whether or not you are a bettor, you can have a lot of fun creating Super Bowl party pools or just tracking all the crazy props action during the game!