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
The Dangers of Trump’s Close Relationship With Tech Billionaires

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

'Sinners' Cast: Where Are They Now

‘Sinners’ Cast: Where Are They Now

If you still want to keep up Michael B. Jordan, Wunmi Osaka and more post-‘Sinners,’ keep an eye out for their slate of new projects! …
26 Things to Do In New York City in 2026

26 Things to Do In New York City in 2026

Whether you’re a longtime local or just visiting, here are 26 things to see, do, and eat throughout New York City in 2026 …
Black Families Face Financial Crisis as Affordable Care Act Subsidies Expire

Black Families Face Financial Crisis as Affordable Care Act Subsidies Expire

Analysts say the expiration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies will hit Black households hard, causing an economic ripple effect …
Everything You Didn't Know About Stephanie Okechukwu, the First-Ever 7-Foot-1 Women's College Basketball Player 

Everything You Didn’t Know About Stephanie Okechukwu, the First-Ever 7-Foot-1 Women’s College Basketball Player 

Stephanie Okechukwu is poised to be one of the biggest stars in women’s college basketball …
Shannon Sharpe's Latest Viral Clip Has Folks Saying He Clearly Hasn't Learned His Lesson

Shannon Sharpe’s Latest Viral Clip Has Folks Saying He Clearly Hasn’t Learned His Lesson

Shannon Sharpe is back in the hot seat on social media thanks to a new clip and it’s not looking too good for him! Let’s break it down …
A Paralyzed Man Showed Us the Horrors of a Memphis Jail, And the City Responded With the Ultimate Petty Move

A Paralyzed Man Showed Us the Horrors of a Memphis Jail, And the City Responded With the Ultimate Petty Move

After a paralyzed Memphis man exposed what he called “deplorable” conditions at 201 Poplar, the sheriff office gave him an unfavorable response …
How Black Folks Are Likely to Suffer Over Trump's Latest Oil Grab

How Black Folks Are Likely to Suffer Over Trump’s Latest Oil Grab

Trump’s Venezuelan oil grab could potentially worsen pollution and health risks in our Black neighborhoods …
How Rap Producer Hit-Boy Gets the Last Laugh After His Home is Robbed

How Rap Producer Hit-Boy Gets the Last Laugh After His Home is Robbed

Hit-Boy marks the second rap producer to be robbed in 2026 so far… and he has a special message for the unknown assailants …
Why Karri Turner Bryant's Viral Controversy Exposes the Black Church’s Obsession With Women’s Dress

Why Karri Turner Bryant’s Viral Controversy Exposes the Black Church’s Obsession With Women’s Dress

While some online couldn’t get enough of Dr. Karri Turner’s fitted lace gown, many others condemned the first lady, sparking debates about modesty …
Why Christian Keyes Just Called Out Former Boss Tyler Perry as 'Shady and Corny'

Why Christian Keyes Just Called Out Former Boss Tyler Perry as ‘Shady and Corny’

Christian Keyes is calling out his former boss Tyler Perry and airing out his grievances over how he handled his show ‘All the Queen’s Men.’ Let’s get into it! …
Donnie McClurkin Breaks Silence Following Young Man's Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

Donnie McClurkin Breaks Silence Following Young Man’s Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

Decades after revealing personal struggles with his sexuality, Pastor Donnie McClurkin has been sued for allegedly sexually abusing a man …
Viral TikTok Star Pinkydoll Finally Returns With Heartbreaking Health Update

Viral TikTok Star Pinkydoll Finally Returns With Heartbreaking Health Update

Pinkydoll, the Montreal-based creator behind the viral “ice cream so good” trend, explains her sudden absence and delivers a sobering warning to fans …
Someone Scammed an 81-Year-Old Dallas Woman Out of $15,000, Her Bank's Alleged Response is Infuriating

Someone Scammed an 81-Year-Old Dallas Woman Out of $15,000, Her Bank’s Alleged Response is Infuriating

After 25 years of banking with Wells Fargo, Billie Young has closed her account because of a fraudulent check that left her traumatized …
Black Maternal Health Professional and Advocate Loses Her Life to the Crisis She Fought

Black Maternal Health Professional and Advocate Loses Her Life to the Crisis She Fought

Despite her expertise and advocacy, Dr. Janell Green Smith’s tragic loss reveals that no Black mother is immune from a broken system …
5 Ways Black Folks Can Stave Off Dementia

5 Ways Black Folks Can Stave Off Dementia

Here are a few ways you can hold off dementia, which disproportionately impacts Black Americans …
Anthony Joshua's Comments Will Break Your Heart

Anthony Joshua’s Comments Will Break Your Heart

Boxing star Anthony Joshua is breaking his silence and paying his respects to the friends he lost in that awful accident in Nigeria …
You Won't Believe Why Cynthia Erivo's Shutting the Door on Playing Elphaba in 'Wicked' on Broadway

You Won’t Believe Why Cynthia Erivo’s Shutting the Door on Playing Elphaba in ‘Wicked’ on Broadway

While we all love Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, she’s adamant about not playing her on Broadway. And now we know why! …
5 Years Later: How MAGA Vilified a Black Hero and Turned a Capitol Rioter into a Martyr

5 Years Later: How MAGA Vilified a Black Hero and Turned a Capitol Rioter into a Martyr

Lt. Michael Byrd was cleared after the shooting a Capitol rioter five years ago. Still, he didn’t expect MAGA to target him …
N.C. Black Teen Arrested in New Year’s Eve Terror Plot Allegedly Planned to Do...What??

N.C. Black Teen Arrested in New Year’s Eve Terror Plot Allegedly Planned to Do…What??

Christian Sturdivant has been charged with attempted material support to a foreign terrorist organization …
Joyce Vincent Was Dead for Years Before Anyone Noticed, Why Her Story Remains a Cautionary Tale 20 Years Later

Joyce Vincent Was Dead for Years Before Anyone Noticed, Why Her Story Remains a Cautionary Tale 20 Years Later

Twenty years ago, Joyce Vincent was found dead in her London apartment after being deceased for three years …