The tradition of dousing the Super Bowl-winning coach with Gatorade is one of the most anticipated and talked-about customs by all viewers of each edition of the National Football League’s grand game.
Since the New York Giants initiated this practice in the 1980s, the color of the drink has varied, becoming a topic of speculation and betting among fans and experts. Many even place bets on the outcome.
Every year, the choice of the color of Gatorade poured over the winning coach adds an element of mystery and excitement to the conclusion of an event that has become one of the most-watched sports spectacles worldwide.
Gatored’s Super Bowl colors through the years
The tradition of dousing the winning Super Bowl coach with Gatorade began in the mid-1980s, with the New York Giants reportedly initiating the practice during the 1984 regular season of the National Football League.
This celebratory gesture gained widespread attention during the 1986 NFL season when Giants head coach Bill Parcells was doused 17 times after each victory, culminating in a Super Bowl XXI win.
Vita Vea #50 and William Gholston #92 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers give head coach Bruce Arians a Gatorade shower after winning Super Bowl LV in 2021. (Source: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
| Year | Super Bowl winner | Gatorade color |
| 2026 | Seattle Seahawks | Yellow |
| 2025 | Philadelphia Eagles | Yellow |
| 2024 | Kansas City Chiefs | Purple |
| 2023 | Kansas City Chiefs | Purple |
| 2022 | Los Angeles Rams | Blue |
| 2021 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Blue |
| 2020 | Kansas City Chiefs | Orange |
| 2019 | New England Patriots | Blue |
| 2018 | Philadelphia Eagles | Yellow |
| 2017 | New England Patriots | None |
| 2016 | Denver Broncos | Orange |
| 2015 | New England Patriots | Blue |
| 2014 | Seattle Seahawks | Orange |
| 2013 | Baltimore Ravens | None |
| 2012 | New York Giants | Purple |
| 2011 | Green Bay Packers | Orange |
| 2010 | New Orleans Saints | Orange |
| 2009 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Yellow |
| 2008 | New York Giants | Transparent |
| 2007 | Indianapolis Colts | Transparent |
| 2006 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Transparent |
| 2005 | New England Patriots | Transparent |
| 2004 | New England Patriots | None |
| 2003 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Purple |
| 2002 | New England Patriots | None |
| 2001 | Baltimore Ravens | Yellow |
Based on this data, the most frequently used Gatorade colors in Super Bowl celebrations are yellow and orange, appearing 5 times each, according to sources like Marca and People.
As for Super Bowl LX, the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots to lift the Vince Lombardi trophy, and the color of the Gatorade used in the celebration was yellow for the second consecutive year. Traditionally, the choice of color has been a fun and often unpredictable aspect.
