Super Bowl Roman numerals, explained: A guide to help decipher the NFL's weird numbers game

Jordan Greer

Super Bowl Roman numerals, explained: A guide to help decipher the NFL's weird numbers game image

So, you're a little bit confused about Roman numerals. Don't worry. There is an expert here to help you understand this Super Bowl nonsense.

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(Furiously searches for information on Roman numerals before you reach the next sentence.)

Ah yes, as I was saying, Roman numerals. Why does the NFL use them for each Super Bowl? Let's break down the number for this year's game and the history of Roman numerals in the NFL.

MORE: Super Bowl odds, predictions, betting trends

What is LVI in Roman numerals?

LVI translates to 56, so the Bengals and Rams are playing in Super Bowl 56. Easy enough — but how exactly do we get 56 from LVI?

When one symbol follows a larger or equal symbol, it is added. If one symbol appears before a larger symbol, it is subtracted. L represents 50, and since the V (five) comes before the I (one), that is an addition problem.

All numbers are represented by the following symbols:

I V X L C D M
1 5 10 50 100 500 1,000

Roman numerals chart

 

roman-numerals-012020

Why does the Super Bowl use Roman numerals?

Here is the explanation from the NFL's media guide:

"The Roman numerals were adopted to clarify any confusion that may occur because the NFL championship game — the Super Bowl — is played in the year following a chronologically recorded season. Numerals I through IV were added later for the first four Super Bowls."

The NFL has used Roman numerals all these years to reduce confusion. Way to go, guys.

What about Super Bowl 50?

Back in 2014, the NFL announced Super Bowl 50 would be displayed with Arabic numerals instead of Roman numerals. It was a one-year exception because the league simply didn't like seeing the L stand alone in the logo.

"When we developed the Super Bowl XL logo, that was the first time we looked at the letter L," NFL vice president of brand and creative Jaime Weston said at the time. "Up until that point, we had only worked with X's, V's and I's. And, at that moment, that's when we started to wonder: What will happen when we get to 50?"

The league returned to Roman numerals for Super Bowl 51 (LI).

Seriously, why does the NFL still do this?

I don't know. It's pretty dumb!

Jordan Greer

Jordan Greer Photo

Jordan Greer has been with The Sporting News since 2015. He previously worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is a graduate of Westminster College and Syracuse University.