Super Bowl Gatorade Bath Tradition Continues in 2026

Betting on the Gatorade color has become a popular Super Bowl prop bet, with orange and blue leading the odds.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 5:31am

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The Gatorade bath tradition at the Super Bowl has evolved from a spontaneous celebration into a popular prop bet, with fans wagering on the color that will be dumped on the winning coach. The tradition started in the 1980s with the New York Giants, but the origins are somewhat disputed. Betting on the Gatorade color was legalized in 2019, and since then blue and orange have been the most common colors. This year, with the Seahawks favored to win, orange is the top pick at +225 odds, followed by blue and yellow/green/lime.

Why it matters

The Gatorade bath has become an iconic part of the Super Bowl celebration, and the prop bet around the color has added an extra layer of excitement and engagement for fans. It's a unique tradition that has evolved over the decades and provides an opportunity for some fun, low-stakes wagering.

The details

The Gatorade bath tradition started in the 1980s when New York Giants defensive tackle Jim Burt dumped the sports drink on head coach Bill Parcells, initially as an act of retaliation rather than celebration. The tradition was then continued by teammate Harry Carson. While the Giants are often credited with starting the tradition, the Chicago Bears' players Steve McMichael and Mike Singletary also dumped Gatorade on coach Mike Ditka a year earlier. Betting on the Gatorade color was legalized in 2019, and since then blue has been the color three times and purple two times, with orange and yellow each appearing once.

  • The Gatorade bath tradition started in the 1980s.
  • The Chicago Bears players dumped Gatorade on coach Mike Ditka a year before the Giants started the tradition.
  • Betting on the Gatorade color was legalized in 2019.

The players

Jim Burt

A defensive tackle for the New York Giants who started the Gatorade bath tradition by dumping the sports drink on head coach Bill Parcells in retaliation.

Bill Parcells

The head coach of the New York Giants who was on the receiving end of the first Gatorade bath.

Harry Carson

A New York Giants player who continued the Gatorade bath tradition after Burt started it.

Steve McMichael

A Chicago Bears player who, along with Mike Singletary, dumped Gatorade on coach Mike Ditka a year before the Giants started the tradition.

Mike Singletary

A Chicago Bears player who, along with Steve McMichael, dumped Gatorade on coach Mike Ditka a year before the Giants started the tradition.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.