Super Bowl has come a long and lucrative way from its humble beginning

An obscure affair when it started in 1967, the game is now watched by millions worldwide and will rake in more than $3,000 per ticket at the Superdome for the Baltimore-San Francisco matchup. A 30-second TV commercial during the game will cost as much as $4 million.

• From the Archive: Packers win first Super Bowl

Commissioner Roger Goodell lifts his season-long suspension of Payton nearly two weeks earlier than expected.

• Harbaugh brothers try to downplay Super Bowl matchup

John Harbaugh never is mentioned as a coach of the year candidate, but he and his assistants have been tremendous in guiding Baltimore through a difficult season.

• Pau Gasol back to the Lakers' bench, Earl Clark to start Monday

Atlanta's quarterback was hurt in the closing minutes of the NFC championship game. Falcons Coach Mike Smith says Ryan will need three to four weeks to recover but also says he would have played in the Super Bowl had Atlanta advanced.

• Colin Kaepernick's parents take funny photo next to statue of son

After stifling Tom Brady's Patriots, 28-13, in AFC title game, Baltimore's team of destiny is taking its anything-goes, chip-on-shoulder attitude to New Orleans.

• Baltimore Ravens follow plan to beat Patriots and go to Super Bowl