Rod Flanders wears the number 6, and his brother Todd wears the number 66. When Bart is named the starting quarterback, Rod and Todd stand next to each other, their numbers form 666, the sign of the beast.
George Meyer obtained inspiration for the scene toward the beginning of the episode where Rainier Wolfcastle is taunting the children from an experience he had with Arnold Schwarzenegger. He was following Schwarzenegger during a hike, and overheard him taunting his children. Schwarzenegger's influence was seen in the same scene, as he was appointed to be the chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, on which he served from 1990 to 1993.
Even though New York Jets great quarterback Joe Namath appears, the title refers to Bart Starr, quarterback for the Green Bay Packers from 1956 to 1971. Bart wears jersey number 15, which is the same number as what Bart Starr wore in the NFL.
Throughout the episode, Homer is dressed to homage Dallas Cowboys icon Tom Landry and wears a similar hat. Homer previously bought Landry's hat in You Only Move Twice (1996).
Before Nelson hikes the ball, he yells "5F03! Hike!" 5F03 is the production code for this episode.