I've been to 5 - all in the historic Orange Bowl. 68, 69. 71, 76. 79.
The most memorable was in 69 with Joe Willie Namath guaranteeing the win. I sat at about the 30 yard line 20 rows up above the Jets locker room and saw him trot off the field waving his finger as #1. A guy that say right behind me was a Colts fan with a huge cow bell. He had a "briefcase" that when opened, was a mini bar loaded with a bottle of liquor, 2 glasses, and a shot glass. He ran the soda guy crazy! Every time the Colts made a play, and even when they didn't, he'd stand up and ring that **** cow bell. My ears rang for days after!
That is the only Super Bowl I have attended. I was 9 years old. I had other opportunities but I always figured...why mess with a perfect record? Attending the most significant game in pro football history is not too bad. And I remember virtually every detail.
Tickets were $15. My dad wanted to teach me a lesson about money so nearly a year earlier he said he would get tickets to the Super Bowl but I had to pay for it myself. My allowance was 35 cents per week. Dad made out a little contract and every week I had to sign away my 35 cents toward the ticket.
Dad didn't realize that sweet mom was giving me money anyway. It was our little secret. She'd hand it to me during the weekly trip to Publix.
There was a new gas station across the street from the Orange Bowl on the northwest side. Not far away at all. We arrived early and they waved us into the lot. Then my dad was furious at the $4 parking fee. That was unheard of in those days. He wouldn't shut up about it while walking into the stadium. Finally my mom had to ask him if he planned on ruining the entire experience due to 4 dollars.
The Colts fans were indeed incredible. I recognized every detail from the OP. My family and I were in awe. We were sitting in the low west end zone on the south side at maybe 30 rows up. I have never seen anything similar...before or since. My dad described them as professional fans. I'll never forget that term because it was so perfect. It was like they had every detail down pat, from dress to accessories to mannerisms. We found out they were called the Baltimore Colts Corral.
One of them held up a sign saying, "Earl the Pearl will make Joe the Mouth Eat His Words." It was smack in front of us. Just a couple of rows forward. He walked back and forth with that sign. And I have seen that sign on the highlight packages from that game countless times. I always freeze frame and strain to see our family. Nothing. It seems impossible we weren't captured.
My family and I obviously rooted for the AFL Jets. Just a few weeks earlier we attended the Dolphins season finale with the Jets toying with Miami, 31-7. So I knew darn well the Jets were underrated, and had a chance.
There was one amusing guy sitting directly in front of us. He would cup his hands over his mouth and say, "Roll 'em Namath...Roll 'em, Roll 'em." He said that all game long. I'm not sure he said anything else. Initially the members of the Colts Corral would chastise him but once the game evolved differently than they expected, those Colts fans were quiet and the "Roll 'em" guy raised his frequency and also his decibel level.
But the Colts had control early. Very long run by Tom Matte. Fortunately there was a short missed field goal from Lou Michaels. He was in disbelief. Several missed field goals in that game.
The Jets started slow but then Namath was like a surgeon. He seemed to sense quickly it would not be a shoot out, and not many points were necessary. So incredibly calm. That's what I'll always remember. He audibled frequently, often to running plays, and motioning the backs behind him. Emerson Boozer and Matt Snell started gaining chunks.
Fortunately the key plays of that game generally happened at our end. The Colts threatened a touchdown deep in Jets territory but Morrall's bullet pass ricocheted off a Colts shoulder pad and went very high in the air before being picked off in the end zone. Then probably the most famous play of the game was just before halftime when Jimmy Orr was running smack toward us down the left sideline on a flea flicker. Everyone in my family gasped. Orr was wide open and waving his arms. It was a certain touchdown. But somehow Morrall never looked his way. I was in disbelief when he aimed over the middle. That choice looked dangerous also but then Jets safety Randy Beverly cut in front and picked it off at the last second. Such relief. Beverly and cornerback Johnny Sample were famous players prior to that game. Well known ball hawks, and Sample was a premier trash talker. He did that after making an interception down near the goal line. I can still picture him waving the ball in front of the face of the Colts receiver.
Then we found out later that Jimmy Orr was supposed to be the intended receiver on the flea flicker play. Unbelievable gaffe. Morrall supposedly thought about that play the remainder of his life.
Namath was running directly toward our family at game's end while famously waving his finger in the air signaling Number One, before disappearing into the tunnel just below us.
That was also the most colorful game I've ever been to. Awesome pageantry, even at that stage. Field was in great shape. Confetti all over the place at game's end.
