6. I’m going to Disney World
On January 25, 1987, Pasadena’s Rose Bowl hosted the Super Bowl. The game featured the New York Giants and the Denver Broncos. Though the first half was tight, with the halftime score 10-9 in favor of the Giants, the second half turned into a blowout. New York quarterback Phil Simms completed 22 of 25 passes (88%, a post-season record). Simms set Super Bowl records for the highest quarterback rating (150.9 out of the highest possible 158.3), highest completion percentage, and most consecutive completions. As Simms walked off the field, television viewers heard an announcer ask “Now that you’ve won the Super Bowl, Phil Simms, what are you going to do? Simms, replied to the camera, I’m going to Disney World“.
Simms received $75,000 for his announcement, and opposing quarterback John Elway received the same before the game, in case his Broncos prevailed. Since its first appearance, the line has become iconic, appearing in NBA, MLB, and NHL broadcasts, as well as in figure skating, motor racing, the Olympic Games, World Cup matches, and even in a commercial featuring a resting Santa Claus. It was one of two sports traditions initiated in that year’s Super Bowl. The other featured Giant players dousing their coach, Bill Parcells, with a barrel of Gatorade. The Giants had begun the practice of celebrating their victories sometime earlier, but doing it in the Super Bowl brought it to national attention.
