The showdown between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers marks the 50-year celebration of the game. The Super Bowl is always more than just a game, between the pregame and halftime musical performances, multi-million-dollar commercials, hype and other sometimes strange occurrences.

With Super Bowl 50 on Sunday, though, the spectacle becomes even bigger as the NFL takes an opportunity to celebrate a half-century of its championship game.

There are plenty of facts to share about the game. Here are some fun facts about Sunday’s game and the history of the sport.

1. The Use of Roman Numerals

The game between the New York Jets and the Baltimore Colts in 1969 was the first time the league used Roman numerals and the official “Super Bowl” name. The Jets went on to beat the Colts 16-7 and Joe Namath continued on a path that would eventually lead him to the Hall of Fame.

2. The Old v. New Staple Holds Up

Not everyone is a fan of the old v. new player match-up, but this year’s is quite hard to miss. The age difference between quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Cam Newton is 13 years. The gap is the largest in Super Bowl history, making Manning the oldest starting QB in the game’s history.

3. Viewership Is Larger Than You Think

Super Bowl games don’t include overtime and they never end in ties, but it doesn’t stop fans from tuning in. Over the last ten years (2004-2014) viewership has increased by 22.4 million. The most viewed games are from the last five years, surpassing the most watched program from February 1983 with 106 million viewers–the M*A*S*H finale. Super Bowl XLVIII brought in over 25.3 million tweets generated – between the game, Beyonce’s half-time show, and the ads. While many think football is a man’s game, women’s viewership has increased to an average of 50 million viewers, with females accounting for 46.8 percent of viewership.

4. Snacks on Snacks on Snacks

Everyone enjoys a good Super Bowl party, especially when there’s food involved. The event is the second-highest day of food consumption after Thanksgiving. Brands like Lays and pizza chains such as Domino’s, Papa Johns, and more sell millions of food for the big day. Guacamole has also become a fan favorite over the years. Approximately 100 million pounds of guacamole will be devoured by fans. The National Chicken Council expects about 1.3 billion wings to be eaten during Super Bowl weekend. Beer consumption has declined over the years, but it’s still one of the most popular beverages during the game.

5. History Making Coaches

While most fans are fixated on the players, the coaches are also widely celebrated and adored. For Super Bowl XV, The Raiders’ Tom Flores, of Hispanic descent, became the first minority coach to win the game. In 2007, Tony Dungy became the first black coach to win the Super Bowl. The Indianapolis Colts coach competed against his friend and protegé Lovie Smith, making them the first two black coaches to lead the game.

6. Halftime Games Flourish

Super Bowl 10 in Miami welcomed Up With The People, an organization who brought education and positive energy to the youth. The group was the first musical act to perform at the Super Bowl. One of the most legendary acts would come years later during Super Bowl XXVI, starring the late Michael Jackson. His show would set the precedent for flair and pop culture status, as acts like U2, Beyonce, Janet Jackson, and Prince hold up the tradition.

7. Super Bowl Ads Are Just As Enjoyable As The Game

Back in the ’60s, Super Bowl commercials would cost as low as $37,500. This year, advertisers shell out up to $5 million for a 30-second spot. The cost is 11 percent higher than last year’s commercials. Ads have generated a total of $2.19 billion in sales. Aside from its steady cash flow, ads have been implemented into pop culture for their controversy and celebrity cameos. From the infamous Budweiser and Coca-Cola commercials, to banned Ashley Madison ads that live on the web, each moment evokes tears of laughter or eye rolls at the small screen.

8. Game Stats

Each game has generated new records for the sport. Jerry Rice has set the record for eight touchdowns, while the New York Giants and New England Patriots pulled off the longest drive ever (10 minutes) during Super Bowl XLII. Tom Brady holds the record for the most touchdown passes with 13, while Colin Kaepernick holds the longest touchdown run by a QB (15 yards) during Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens.

9. Whitney’s National Anthem

The late Whitney Houston’s rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” has been forever remembered as the most beloved version ever. The Super Bowl XXV performance in 1991 came just days into the Persian Gulf War, helping the nation adopt a patriotic mood. The single went on to top the charts, a feat no other musical act has accomplished with the National Anthem. Houston and her record label donated all proceeds to charity at the time. When it was re-released during the September 11 attacks, the singer once again donated the proceeds to the victims’ families.

This year, Lady Gaga is set to sing the National Anthem.

10. The cheapest Super Bowl tickets available on StubHub on Wednesday were $3,000.

11. There are 72 footballs used for every Super Bowl; more than 700,000 are purchased for the NFL each year.

12. Michael Jordan has done Super Bowl commercials with Larry Bird and Bugs Bunny.

13. The cost of a 30-second Super Bowl ad last year was $4.5 million.

14. Sunday, Broncos star Peyton Manning will become the oldest quarterback (39) to start a Super Bowl.

Numbers in Super Bowl

What do the following numbers refer to? Do you remember?

1. 50

2. 13

3. 100 billion

4. 1.3 billion

5. 3,000

6. 72

7. 700,000

Key

1. Tonight’s Super Bowl marks the 50-year celebration of the game.

2. The age difference between quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Cam Newton which is the largest in Super Bowl history.

3. Approximately 100 million pounds of guacamole will be devoured by fans.

4. The National Chicken Council expects about 1.3 billion wings to be eaten during Super Bowl weekend.

5. The cheapest Super Bowl tickets available on StubHub on Wednesday were $3,000.

6. There are 72 footballs used for every Super Bowl.

7. More than 700,000 footballs are purchased for the NFL each year.

No matter what you think of McDonald’s, their new campaign toconjure some loving is pretty darn sweet.

Beginning February 2, the day after theSuper Bowl, and running through Valentine’s Day, every McDonald’s restaurant in the US will be giving random visitors free meals if they agree to perform a random act of lovin’ in the store, such as fist-bumping a cashier, hugging the one you’re with, or calling your mom to show you care.

Playing up their slogan, “I’m Lovin’ It”, they already rewarded some customers for doing random acts of lovin’ for a new Super Bowl commercial that willmelt your heart.

“For your payment today, call up your mom and tell her you love her…”

One mother in the commercial, ordering a meal with her teenaged son, was asked to tell the cashier what she most loved about him. She answered, hugged him close, and left with a free order.

Winners don’t even need to be a paying customer. Each store will hand out 100 free orders during the two week period at pre-assigned times. The first person to walk through the door, even if they are only using the restroom, are deemed a winner when they agree to show some love. The manager will provide two Extra Value Meal coupons, instead.

Fill in the gaps with the right words.

1. He was … for his hard work.

2. The drama group also … their act in the street.

3. The magician … a rabbit out of the hat.

4. The new products were … to the people in the street free.

5. Her heart was … by his sweet words.

6. He was … by his mother when they saw each other again.

7. There were certain times … for taking a break.

8. The little boy was … very clever by all his teachers.

9. They … a huge meal in the restaurant.

10. She was … by her mother, who wanted to know where she was.

a) handed out

b) ordered

c. performed

d) assigned

e) deemed

f) rewarded

g) hugged

h) conjured

i) called

j) melted

——————————————–

Key:

1.f. 2.c. 3.h. 4.a. 5.j. 6.g. 7.d. 8.e. 9.b. 10.i