Brilliant NFL game shunned by solemn type (6)

I believe the answer is:

superb

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'brilliant' is the definition.
(I know that brilliant can be written as superb)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for superb that I've seen before include "Magnificent, quite splendid" , "Tiptop" , "Dazzling" , "Impressively splendid" , "Admirable" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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