Super Bowl XXXIII was not good. Cher sang the National Anthem, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy was part of the halftime show and the most exciting thing about the game happened the night before. Unless you are a Denver Broncos fan or really like the late 1990s swing revival, you’ve likely forgot all about Super Bowl XXXIII.
It’s safe to say the 1998 NFL season ended with a dud when the Denver Broncos faced the Atlanta Falcons in Miami. The previous Super Bowl saw John Elway win his first title in an exciting contest against Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers. The Super Bowl after this one saw the Rams and Titans play in a classic.
So what made Super Bowl XXXIII the worst of the late 90s? Well, Morten Andersen kicked a field goal in the first quarter to give the Falcons a lead. The Broncos then scored 17 unanswered points. Another Andersen field goal made it 17-6 heading into halftime where Big Bad Voodoo Daddy was joined by Stevie Wonder and Gloria Estefan in a performance that could have used nip slip or two.
Nothing happened in the third quarter, probably because the players were suffering from a halftime show hangover. The Broncos put up 14 points to start the fourth quarter. The Falcons scored a few times to make the score line more respectable, but the game never felt close.
What’s more, the world was deprived of seeing the “Dirty Bird” dance made famous by Atlanta running back Jamal Anderson that season because he didn’t score. This isn’t to say the dance would have saved Super Bowl XXXIII. However, it would have given the game something memorable.
Most people think of Super Bowl XXXIII as Elway’s last game. This is true, but he didn’t actually retire on the spot. In fact, he wouldn’t officially call it quits until May of 1999. An emotional farewell would have provided something of substance.
Instead, nothing on the field was worth watching. What followed on FOX after the game may have caught your attention. The first episode of Family Guy aired immediately following Super Bowl XXXIII.
Click here to read more Worst of the late 90s
The only memorable thing about Super Bowl XXXIII
There is one thing most people remember about the game and it didn’t happen on the field, or even on Super Bowl Sunday. The night before kickoff, Falcons’ safety Eugene Robinson was arrested after he solicited sex from an undercover police officer. The story dominated the game which Robinson still played in after posting bail. He performed just like a guy who released from jail, allowing Rod Smith to score an 80-yard touchdown.
You’re probably wondering what type of seedy activities Robinson was getting into before hitting the streets to pay for some strange. It was exactly the kind of nefarious behavior you’d expecting. He was accepting an award that honors the NFL player who exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home and community.
At least Eugene Robinson’s exploits gave us something to take away from Super Bowl XXXIII. If it wasn’t for him, no one would remember the game at all.
