The Most Controversial, Shocking Super Bowl Moments Over the Years

Everything from the lights going out in the Superdome, to the New England Patriots 28-3 comeback against the Atlanta Falcons.

Super Bowl week is here. And that means it’s the perfect time to revisit all the strange and shocking moments in the game’s 59-year history. Everything from Janet Jackson’s infamous halftime performance with Justin Timberlake to the Seattle Seahawks’ baffling decision to run the ball at the one-yard line in their Super Bowl against the New England Patriots, lets remember the moments that shocked everyone.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Angela Bassett Reveals the Mission: Impossible Birthday Surprise That Got Tom Cruise Dancing

Lights out

Photo: Getty Images Perry Knotts

Shortly after Beyoncé’s first solo performance at the 2013 Super Bowl in New Orleans, the lights went out in the entire stadium, shocking everyone at home and on the field.

Janet Jackson debacle

Photo: Getty Images Donald Miralle

In many ways, Janet Jackson still has not recovered from her wardrobe malfunction during her Super Bowl halftime performance, even though it was never her fault.

Prince Halftime Performance

Photo: Getty Images Jamie Squire

Prince’s halftime performance at the 2007 Super Bowl was one to remember. Poetically, as Prince was performing “Purple Rain” it started to rain in the stadium.

Seahawks pass the ball

Photo: Getty Images Jamie Squire

With a chance to take the lead in the 2015 Super Bowl, the Seattle Seahawks opted to pass the ball on the one-yard line instead of handing the ball off to Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch. Russell Wilson’s pass ended up being intercepted and they lost in heartbreaking fashion.

28-3

Photo: Getty Images Barry Chin/The Boston Globe

The New England Patriots winning this game wasn’t shocking. It’s the fact that they came back from a 28-3 deficit to do it. It’s still the largest comeback in Super Bowl history.

Tom Brady Stolen Jersey

Photo: Getty Images Simon Bruty/Anychance

After his magical comeback against the Falcons, Brady’s game-worn jersey went missing. Thankfully, it was recovered a month later in Mexico.

Ray Lewis’ legal issues

Photo: Getty Images KIMBERLY SMITH/AFP

While he wasn’t involved in the game, Ray Lewis was one of the biggest stories during the 2000 Super Bowl in Atlanta. Lewis was allegedly involved in a fight at a nightclub that resulted in two men being stabbed to death. Although he was charged with murder, they were later dropped.

Wide right

Photo: Getty Images Mike Powell / Staff

Close your eyes Buffalo Bills fans. For a chance to win their first Super Bowl, Scott Norwood, who led the NFL in scoring, missed what would’ve been a game-winning field goal kick. The Bills lost to the Giants 20-19

17-1

Photo: Getty Images Doug Pensinger

The outcome of this game shocked the world. In the 2008 Super Bowl, the New York Giants, who snuck into the playoffs, were going up against the undrafted New England who had one of the best offenses ever. Shockingly, the Giants won 17-14.

Michael Jackson’s Halftime Performance

Photo: Getty Images Steve Granitz/WireImage

For the first couple minutes of his Super Bowl halftime performance, MJ didn’t even do anything. He just stood there and soaked in the crowd. Although he was idle, fans screamed the entire time. Few artists in history have reached this level of fame and popularity.

Beyoncé’s “woke” performance

Photo: Getty Images Robert Beck /Sports Illustrated

Beyoncé’s guest appearance at Super Bowl 50 was heavily criticized for its celebration of Black history. Many NFL fans criticized the performance for being anti-police and “woke.”

Maroon 5 petition

Photo: Getty Images Patrick Smith

Some people may forget, but prior to the 2019 Super Bowl, 75,000 people signed a petition requesting that Maroon 5 not perform during the halftime show in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick, who had been “exiled” from the league for taking a knee during the national anthem in previous seasons.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Books By Black Authors We Can't Wait to Read in April 2026

Books By Black Authors We Can’t Wait to Read in April 2026

They say April showers bring May flowers, but in 2026, the first month of spring also promises to bring an amazing list of books by Black authors …
These 15 Beloved White Hollywood Icons Have a Racist Past

These 15 Beloved White Hollywood Icons Have a Racist Past

From John Wayne to Doris Day, these 15 Hollywood stars have been accused of being racist …
Black Nurse Details Terror, Heroism After Plane Crash on LaGuardia Runway

Black Nurse Details Terror, Heroism After Plane Crash on LaGuardia Runway

A Black nurse explains what happened in the moments after the LaGuardia plane crash which killed two pilots …
Brandy Reveals Her Last Conversation With Whitney Houston The Day Before Her Death

Brandy Reveals Her Last Conversation With Whitney Houston The Day Before Her Death

Brandy Norwood is detailing her last moments with Whitney Houston before her shocking death in 2012 …
The Chilling Rise of the 'Alpine Divorce,' Where Men Take Their Wives to Hike— Then Purposefully Abandon Them

The Chilling Rise of the ‘Alpine Divorce,’ Where Men Take Their Wives to Hike— Then Purposefully Abandon Them

Inside the dangerous relationship trend you’ve never heard of: Alpine divorces, where men desert their partners on hikes to break up …
Could This Brilliant Morehouse Student Become The Next Mike Tyson?

Could This Brilliant Morehouse Student Become The Next Mike Tyson?

A top-ranked boxer and a star student, Morehouse junior Chad Pitts is changing the narrative about what a Morehouse man can be …
Professor: The Tiger Woods Crash Is Exactly Why Rich Black Men Need Drivers

Professor: The Tiger Woods Crash Is Exactly Why Rich Black Men Need Drivers

Opinion: A rollover crash adds to a troubling pattern and raises a bigger question about risk, control, and why some Black stars still insist on driving themselves …
Expert Weighs in on Mental Toll of Record-Breaking Job Loss for Black Women

Expert Weighs in on Mental Toll of Record-Breaking Job Loss for Black Women

Dr. LaNail R. Plummer, CEO of Onyx Therapy Group, explains how job loss can trigger anxiety, depression, and trauma among Black women …
Breaking: Tiger Woods Arrested, Charged With DUI After Rollover Crash in FL

Breaking: Tiger Woods Arrested, Charged With DUI After Rollover Crash in FL

Legendary golfer Tiger Woods was just involved in a rollover crash in Florida almost five years after a previous car accident almost cost his life …
A Latino Man Breaks Down Hispanic's ‘Polite’ Racism Black People Probably Won’t Notice Immediately

A Latino Man Breaks Down Hispanic’s ‘Polite’ Racism Black People Probably Won’t Notice Immediately

A Latino TikToker just said the quiet part out loud, explaining how Hispanics are indeed racist towards Black people and exactly how they do it in front of you …
Howard University Launches Cardi B-Inspired Hip Hop Course

Howard University Launches Cardi B-Inspired Hip Hop Course

Howard University has just announced a new Cardi B-inspired Hip Hop course for students, and we have the tea! …
Arsenio Hall Reveals Why We Have Eddie Murphy to Thank For Keeping 'Coming to America' From Getting Scrapped

Arsenio Hall Reveals Why We Have Eddie Murphy to Thank For Keeping ‘Coming to America’ From Getting Scrapped

‘Coming to America’ may be a beloved cult classic now, but according to star Arsenio Hall, it almost didn’t see the light of day. Now we know what turned things around! …
Here is Why Druski Is Winning!

Here is Why Druski Is Winning!

Druski is not avoiding controversy. He just understands the culture well enough to get it right and build an audience of millions …
Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay Weighs in on the Show's Current Scandal

Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay Weighs in on the Show’s Current Scandal

Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay speaks out on the current season’s major scandal. Let’s break it down …
A Running List of Everything President Trump Is Planning to Name After Himself

A Running List of Everything President Trump Is Planning to Name After Himself

From $100 bills with Trump’s signature on it to renaming several buildings in his honor, here’s everything President Trump has named or renamed after himself …
State Comptroller Targeted More than 15,000 Businesses Owned by Women & People of Color — And It Wasn’t an Accident

State Comptroller Targeted More than 15,000 Businesses Owned by Women & People of Color — And It Wasn’t an Accident

Texas businesses owned by women and people of color just filed a landmark lawsuit against the State …
Black Women Have Proven Their Worth. So Why Are They Being Targeted?

Black Women Have Proven Their Worth. So Why Are They Being Targeted?

Despite historic gains in degrees and entrepreneurship, nearly 600,000 Black women were “economically sidelined” in 2025 alone, according to Fortune. Credentials and hard work have not shielded them from glaring pay gaps, bias or stalled advancement …
Here's a Full Timeline of Trump's Years-Long Beef with AG Letitia James

Here’s a Full Timeline of Trump’s Years-Long Beef with AG Letitia James

If you’re not caught up with the latest beef between Trump and Letitia James, don’t worry. We have you covered with everything to know since 2022 …
HBCU Alumni Score Higher in Brain Health Than PWI Peers, New Study Finds

HBCU Alumni Score Higher in Brain Health Than PWI Peers, New Study Finds

A new study shows that the HBCU experience may actually be connected to a lifetime of well-being …
Rihanna Gives Firsthand Account of Home Shooting Incident

Rihanna Gives Firsthand Account of Home Shooting Incident

New details from Rihanna are emerging about her unfortunate home shooting from Let’s get into it …