What's Eating Roman Numerals??

Posted by Matt Sebek, February 6, 2008

As Awful Announcing displayed yesterday, the new Super Bowl logo has been released. Yes yes, Super Bowl XLII has come and gone - which means one thing at NFL headquarters: start the guerilla marketing campaign for the next one.

Super Bowl XLII means...crap...hold on...let me get out my chart...um, "Super Bowl 42". That was this year.

Next year is Super Bowl XLIII. That means "Super Bowl 43".

Ok, we're done. Deep breath.

You're probably thinking to yourself, why not just use real numbers? Well, you my friend, can't sell 30 seconds advertisements spots for $2.7 million.

The reason they use Roman Numeral is simple. The answer is of course...well...crap. I have no clue.

For those of us who can only recognize Roman Numerals up to the amount of Rocky films that we've seen...and for those of us who weren't born in Rome during the Middles Ages, the title of the grand event confuses the shit out of us every single year.

So, what gives? I suppose the NFL marketing crew thinks that Roman Numerals look way cooler than our crappy numbers. But, if that was the case - why not use Roman Numerals everywhere else?

Can you imagine John Madden making the live call as LaDainian Tomlinson sprints towards the endzone?

"Ahhh, LaTainian Domlinson breaks a tackle at the line...and he's gone...he's at the XV...at the X...to the V....TOUCHDOWN Chargers !!!"

I suppose Tom Brady's "XII" jersey just wouldn't look right either - or Terrell Owen's "LXXXI" jersey. And those fat linemen wearing number "LXIX" just isn't as funny.

Sometimes I like to imagine that the NFL has been trying to do away with the whole Roman Numeral system for sometime now - and there's a committee of two men keeping it alive: Jim Rome and Mark Schlereth...Rome because he's honestly convinced that they keep the system around in homage to him....and Schlereth because he's sticking by his word that "The Roman Numeral System is the gutsiest mathematical notation system in the league. It just won't die. It can't. It's a fighter."

Since it looks like we're stuck with the Roman Numeral system in future Super Bowls...I guess we have to accept it, and look to the future.

Personally, we're really looking forward to these:

Super Bowl LIX (#49 59) : Needs to be hosted in Las Vegas

Super Bowl XC (#90) : Super Bowl memorabilia sold for avid cross-country running will be up 400% over previous years. If there's one thing football appeals to, it's cross-country runners.

Super Bowl DIX (#509) : Needs to be hosted in San Francisco. Not even an option.

adam haley-perkins, February 16, 2009 09:02 PM

this sucks like hell

adam haley-perkins , February 9, 2009 11:02 PM

this sucks poo

poop, February 9, 2009 11:02 PM

this sucks

Kilo, February 7, 2008 01:02 PM

I think the Super Bowl announcing should be done in Latin.

TF, February 7, 2008 03:02 AM

Wow. The JSF comments section used to be such a friendly place. Oh well, here's to piling on....

Hey John D: When you talk to your mom, can you ask her if I left my watch on the nightstand? I've been looking everywhere for it.

JR, February 6, 2008 10:02 AM

I liked the column as well.....since reading this site I have always enjoyed that it was not a "sports" site, but rather a "sports media" site. The use of Roman numerals for the Super Bowl and our reaction to their use is an overlooked aspect of Super Bowl coverage. The Roman numerals have become so identified with the event the it does not event strike the average fan (who no doubt rarely used this archaic method) as an oddity. What should be seen as a self-indulgent act by the NFL has instead become commonplace. The use of the Roman numerals also suggests the power tradition plays in sports. The fans and media are accustomed to the old way, and using Arabic number would no doubt bring a reaction from many fans.

Alonzo Moseley, February 6, 2008 09:02 AM

Does anyone know how George, the guy who almost went to jail in the classic softball video, feels about Roman Numerals? I'm sure his anger regarding the issue would be both enlightening and entertaining.

JSF-F, February 6, 2008 09:02 AM

I also enjoyed the column, guys.

Skip Bayless, February 6, 2008 09:02 AM

Without a doubt, the best things to ever come from Rome are Julius Caesar, gladiator movies, and Roman numerals. Those of you who don't agree are small minded dolts. Now excuse me while I get naked with Dana Jacobson and tell off color jokes.

Ashok, February 6, 2008 09:02 AM

I'm really not sure as to why so many people have had such a negative reaction to this post. I think Roman Numerals are stupid and I'm Italian. Good post, Sebek.

Sebek, February 6, 2008 08:02 AM

My assertions have nothing to do with my ability to read Roman Numerals.

Sure, I can do it. I can also wipe my ass before I take a dump, but that doesn't mean it makes sense. Just like everyone else, you have to stop and add Roman Numerals every single time. Why make something more difficult when there's an easy solution readily available?

Dan, February 6, 2008 08:02 AM

Your reasoning for this crappy post? slow sports day?

Jordi, February 6, 2008 08:02 AM

Wrestlemania doesn't use Roman numerals. That should be reason enough.

The Truth, February 6, 2008 08:02 AM

Silly idgits! I'll tell ya why they use Roman Numerals. It started off with a retarded Racoon named Racoonzo. Than John Madden ran it over and Baby Jesus revived it. Than Brett Farve was born and it began to rain. Finally i got my girl pregnant and now I'm miserable.

JB, February 6, 2008 08:02 AM

I personally love the "go to school" comments. Nothing makes for a better use of school time than to learn a completely obsolete numerical system so that you can follow along with Wrestlemanias and Super Bowls.

j35u5, February 6, 2008 08:02 AM

Why number them in the first place? The World Series isn't numbered.

Sylvan Migdal, February 6, 2008 08:02 AM

Arabic numerals hate us for our freedom.

gene, February 6, 2008 08:02 AM

Looking into near future, then distant future, imagine SuperBowl 88 - LXXXVIII
Superbowl 388 CCCLXXXVIII
Superbowl 888 DCCCLXXXVIII
My thought is they should get to Superbowl 50 L then go to regular numbers.

Patrick, February 6, 2008 07:02 AM

I don't have a problem with Roman numerals. I do however, have a problem with interpreting them (some of them). Sebek is not responsible for "LIX" being 49 as stated in the column, I changed it mistakenly.

Crazy Cooter, February 6, 2008 07:02 AM

49 is XLIX. 59 is LIX. You'll never be anybody with carelessness like that, Matt

Marmatard, February 6, 2008 07:02 AM

Boohoo. Are you not literate enough to recognize Roman Numerals?

JohnnyK29, February 6, 2008 07:02 AM

Go back to school and stop whining, you ignorant wastral.

CT, February 6, 2008 07:02 AM

I like the Roman Numerals just because it's different, Super Bowl 42 just looks weird and wrong. They don't count the number of World Series or NBA Finals or Stanley Cup Finals there have been and the only reason I think they can with the Super Bowl is the Roman Numerals.

Chris, February 6, 2008 07:02 AM

I always thought the reason that they used roman numeral was so that number following the words Super Bowl wasn't misinterpreted as the two-digit year. Sounds stupid, like we all know that hte Super Bowl wasn't around in 1942, but the general community might not know that. When we get up to Super Bowl LXXII, we won't confuse that with the 1972 season. Still sounds stupid, but that might be their reason.

Bart Simpson, February 6, 2008 06:02 AM

Roman numerals??? They didn't even try to teach us that in school...

Let's see, Rocky II plus Rocky V would be - Rocky VII - Adrian's Revenge!!!

Brandon I., February 6, 2008 06:02 AM

When you say "appreciate the thoughts," do you mean you appreciate what he said and you glorify it with the term "thoughts," or do you appreciate actual thought and therefore dislike what he said? I'm going with number II all the way.

heh, February 6, 2008 06:02 AM

Get an education.

WrestleMania XXIV, February 6, 2008 05:02 AM

I like roman numerals.

Jason, February 6, 2008 05:02 AM

There you are John D, I've been looking everywhere for you. Tell your mom I want my big t-shirt back, she won't return my calls since she got the test results.

Ryan, February 6, 2008 05:02 AM

John D - and roman numerals - are retarded.

Sebek, February 6, 2008 04:02 AM

Appreciate the thoughts, John D.

John D, February 6, 2008 04:02 AM

I suppose Tom Brady's "XII" jersey just wouldn't look right either - or Terrell Owen's "LXXXI" jersey. And those fat linemen wearing number "LXIX" just isn't as funny. About as funny as this column.