Current:Home > ScamsWhat is Super Bowl LVIII? How to read Roman numerals and why the NFL uses them-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
What is Super Bowl LVIII? How to read Roman numerals and why the NFL uses them
View Date:2024-12-23 23:04:24
It's Super Bowl week, but what edition of the game is it?
The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will play for the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday in the latest version of the NFL's title game. The Super Bowl is unique from all other North American sports in that it doesn't use a year to signify its championship game, but instead numbers.
But to make it even more confusing, instead of using a numerical digit, the NFL uses Roman numerals to number the Super Bowl, which likely confuses viewers seeing the logo since its a system rarely used in today's world. So to help avoid the confusion, here's a quick guide to Roman numerals and the Super Bowl.
What Super Bowl is it?
This season's NFL championship game — Super Bowl LVIII — is Super Bowl 58.
SUPER BOWL CENTRAL: Latest Super Bowl 58 news, stats, odds, matchups and more.
How to read Roman numerals
Roman numerals use letters of the alphabet and used in combination the higher the number. Here are what the symbols are for 1-10:
- 1: I
- 2: II
- 3: III
- 4: IV
- 5: V
- 6: VI
- 7: VII
- 8: VIII
- 9: IX
- 10: X
When it comes to number prefixes or suffixes on the letters, IV could be read as "one less than four," or VIII can be read as "three more than five." So for example, XIV is 14 and XVII is 17. When it gets to any number after 19, you use as many X's for every 10. Example, XXXIII is 33, or "three more than 30."
But when the number gets to 50, L is used as the first numeral, which is why it's in this year's logo. So for example, Super Bowl Bowl 65 will be Super Bowl LXV.
After that, new letters aren't introduced until 100. Then, 100 is C, D is 500 and M is 1,000. So the year 2024 is MMXXIV.
The only time the NFL didn't use a Roman numeral was Super Bowl 50, likely because it didn't want it to be Super Bowl L.
If it's still confusing or hard to remember, then just read a USA TODAY story mentioning the Super Bowl. Here, Super Bowls are always referred to in numerical digits, so Super Bowl 58 is used.
Why does the NFL use Roman numerals for the Super Bowl?
The confusing number choice for the Super Bowl dates back all the way to the very first one.
The idea came from late Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt, who also came up with the name "Super Bowl." According to the NFL, Roman numerals were used to avoid any confusion that could happen since the championship win is recognized the year the season started and not the year in which it ended. Example, the winner of this year's Super Bowl will be recognized as the 2023 champions, not the 2024 champions.
The league says the Super Bowl term was first officially used with Super Bowl 3, and Roman numerals were first used in Super Bowl 5. The league later added Super Bowl and Roman numerals to the first four editions.
veryGood! (224)
Related
- The Daily Money: Inflation is still a thing
- Yes, walnuts are good for you. But people with this medical condition should avoid them.
- Even on quiet summer weekends, huge news stories spread to millions more swiftly than ever before
- Comedian Carrot Top reflects on his 30-year friendship with Toby Keith
- Supreme Court seems likely to allow class action to proceed against tech company Nvidia
- Olympic basketball gold medal winners: Complete list of every champion at Olympics
- Drag queens shine at Olympics opening, but ‘Last Supper’ tableau draws criticism
- Sonya Massey called police for help, 30 minutes later she was shot in the face: Timeline
- About Charles Hanover
- Is Christian Pulisic playing in the Olympics? Why USMNT star isn't at 2024 Paris Games
Ranking
- Opinion: NFL began season with no Black offensive coordinators, first time since the 1980s
- Top Shoe Deals from Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2024: Up to 50% Off OluKai, Paige, Stuart Weitzman & More
- Thrilling performances in swimming relays earn Team USA medals — including first gold
- US Olympic medal count: How many medals has USA won at 2024 Paris Games?
- Ben Foster files to divorce Laura Prepon after 6 years, according to reports
- Paris Olympics cancels triathlon training session because Seine too dirty
- Arizona judge rejects wording for a state abortion ballot measure. Republicans plan to appeal
- Utility regulators file complaint against natural gas company in fatal 2021 blast in Pennsylvania
Recommendation
-
Satire publication The Onion acquires Alex Jones' Infowars at auction
-
Dwyane Wade Olympics broadcasting: NBA legend, Noah Eagle's commentary praised on social media
-
Danielle Collins is retiring from tennis after this year, but she's soaking up Olympics
-
Paris’ Olympics opening was wacky and wonderful — and upset bishops. Here’s why
-
Armie Hammer Says His Mom Gifted Him a Vasectomy for His 38th Birthday
-
Drag queens shine at Olympics opening, but ‘Last Supper’ tableau draws criticism
-
Grimes' Mom Accuses Elon Musk of Withholding Couple's 3 Kids From Visiting Dying Relative
-
Attorney for cartel leader ‘El Mayo’ Zambada says his client was kidnapped and brought to the US