NFL Championship Game, 1933
Encyclopedia
The 1933 National Football League
Championship game was held on December 17, 1933 at Wrigley Field
in Chicago
. The attendance was estimated at 26,000. This was the first scheduled championship game since the NFL's founding in 1920. The game pitted the champions of the NFL's two divisions against each other: The champions of the Western Division, the Chicago Bears
(10–2–1); and the champions of the Eastern Division, the New York Giants
(11–3). The Bears scored the winning touchdown with less than two minutes to go in the fourth quarter, capping a 23–21 victory. It was the Bears' second consecutive championship and third overall NFL title under George Halas
.
owner George Preston Marshall
suggested to the NFL's owners that the league make some rule changes to increase the excitement of the game, including allowing passing from anywhere behind the line of scrimmage, and returning the goal posts to the goal line. Marshall then made another proposal a couple of months later; splitting the ten-team league into two divisions of five teams each, and having the winners of each division play each other in a championship game. Although the owners were hesitant at first that this brash new owner thought their game needed overhauling, the logic of his arguments won out, and they were implemented before the season.
Before the season the Giants acquired University of Michigan
All-American quarterback Harry Newman
, and versatile free agent halfback Ken Strong
. The Giants finished the regular season 11–3, first in the new "Eastern Division", and Newman, center Mel Hein
, and Red Badgro
were named first team All-NFL. Newman led the NFL in passes completed (53), passing yards (973), touchdown passes (11), and longest pass completion (78 yards), with his passing yards total setting an NFL record.
The Bears went 10–2–1 and won the NFL's new "Western Division", they were led by running backs Red Grange
and Bronco Nagurski, and quarterbacked by Keith Molesworth
. Nagurski and Grange combined for 810 yards rushing, and the game was the teams third meeting of the seaon, with the Bears winning the teams first regular season matchup 14–10, and the Giants their second 3–0.
Attendance for the game was 26,000, and before kickoff Newman informed officials he would be running several new trick plays in the game so they would not be confused when they saw them.
that was invented much later, early in the first quarter. A shift allowed Mel Hein
, the team's center, to be an eligible receiver, but instead of passing the ball to him, after the snap, Newman handed it back to him and, pretending he still had it, dropped back as though he was going to pass. Hein, with the ball hidden under his jersey, ran from the Bears 45-yard line to their 15. Hein may have been able to gain more yards, but when he saw the open field in front of him he sprinted toward the goal line instead of waiting for his blockers like he was supposed to. The Giants were unable to score on this drive, as Chicago's defense tightened and they missed a field goal. Jack Manders
kicked a field goal late in the first quarter, and another in the middle of the second quarter to give the Bears a 6–0 lead.
New York responded with a drive in which a 30 yard run by Kink Richards
got them into Chicago territory, and which culminated in the first touchdown in NFL championship game history via a 29-yard pass from Newman to Badgro. Manders kicked his third field goal of the game early in the third quarter to Give Chicago a 9–7 lead, then New York scored a touchdown on a 61-yard drive when Max Krause
ran the ball in from the Chicago one yard line. The Bears responded by scoring on a 92-yard drive behind the running of Nagurski, and a Nagurski jump pass for a touchdown to end Bill Karr
, that made the score 16–14 Chicago going into the fourth quarter.
In the final quarter, the Giants drove 61 yards to the Chicago eight yard line. They scored when Strong improvised on a reverse
and lateraled the ball to Newman who then passed it back to Strong for a touchdown. Strong kicked the extra point making the game 21–16 Giants. Chicago drove to the New York 36-yard line on the ensuing drive, and Nagurski again attempted a jump pass. This time the Giants were ready for the play but were fooled when the receiver, Bill Hewitt
, who they were prepared to tackle, lateraled the ball to Karr, who ran 25 yards for the touchdown with under two minutes remaining. Their successful extra point attempt gave them a 23–21 lead.
The Giants drove to their own 40-yard line on the game's final drive, but running back Dale Burnett
missed a wide open Hein on another trick play. Burnett threw a wobbly pass to Hein who was standing uncovered on the Bears 30-yard line. On the game's final play Grange tackled Badgro before he could complete the lateral portion of the hook and ladder play New York was attempting. Grange diagnosed the play correctly, and wrapped up Badgro's arms rather than his legs so he could not pitch the ball to Burnett.
The Bears repeated as champions with the victory, and the win marked their second of three titles under head coach George Halas.
described it as "probably the most spectacular game of the year" and "a brilliant display of offensive power".
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
Championship game was held on December 17, 1933 at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. The attendance was estimated at 26,000. This was the first scheduled championship game since the NFL's founding in 1920. The game pitted the champions of the NFL's two divisions against each other: The champions of the Western Division, the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
(10–2–1); and the champions of the Eastern Division, the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
(11–3). The Bears scored the winning touchdown with less than two minutes to go in the fourth quarter, capping a 23–21 victory. It was the Bears' second consecutive championship and third overall NFL title under George Halas
George Halas
George Stanley Halas, Sr. , nicknamed "Papa Bear" and "Mr. Everything", was a player, coach, owner and pioneer in professional American football. He was the iconic longtime leader of the NFL's Chicago Bears...
.
Background
Before the 1933 season new Boston RedskinsWashington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
owner George Preston Marshall
George Preston Marshall
George Preston Marshall was the owner and president of the Washington Redskins of the National Football League from 1932 until his death in 1969.-Contributions:...
suggested to the NFL's owners that the league make some rule changes to increase the excitement of the game, including allowing passing from anywhere behind the line of scrimmage, and returning the goal posts to the goal line. Marshall then made another proposal a couple of months later; splitting the ten-team league into two divisions of five teams each, and having the winners of each division play each other in a championship game. Although the owners were hesitant at first that this brash new owner thought their game needed overhauling, the logic of his arguments won out, and they were implemented before the season.
Before the season the Giants acquired University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
All-American quarterback Harry Newman
Harry Newman
Harry Lawrence Newman was an American football quarterback who played for the University of Michigan Wolverines , the New York Giants , and the Brooklyn/Rochester Tigers .-College career:...
, and versatile free agent halfback Ken Strong
Ken Strong
Elmer Kenneth Strong, Jr. was a college and professional American football player. After a college career as multi-year All-American at New York University, he went on to play professional football. As a halfback with a 14-year career he played from 1929–1937, 1939, 1944-1947...
. The Giants finished the regular season 11–3, first in the new "Eastern Division", and Newman, center Mel Hein
Mel Hein
Melvin Jack Hein was an American Professional Football player for the New York Giants. Hein played fifteen seasons for the Giants and never missed a down due to injury...
, and Red Badgro
Red Badgro
Morris Hiram "Red" Badgro was a professional American football end in the National Football League for the New York Yankees, New York Giants, and the Brooklyn Dodgers...
were named first team All-NFL. Newman led the NFL in passes completed (53), passing yards (973), touchdown passes (11), and longest pass completion (78 yards), with his passing yards total setting an NFL record.
The Bears went 10–2–1 and won the NFL's new "Western Division", they were led by running backs Red Grange
Red Grange
Harold Edward "Red" Grange, nicknamed "The Galloping Ghost", was a college and professional American football halfback for the University of Illinois, the Chicago Bears, and for the short-lived New York Yankees. His signing with the Bears helped legitimize the National Football League...
and Bronco Nagurski, and quarterbacked by Keith Molesworth
Keith Molesworth
Keith Frank Molesworth was an American football player and coach. He also played and managed in minor league baseball....
. Nagurski and Grange combined for 810 yards rushing, and the game was the teams third meeting of the seaon, with the Bears winning the teams first regular season matchup 14–10, and the Giants their second 3–0.
Attendance for the game was 26,000, and before kickoff Newman informed officials he would be running several new trick plays in the game so they would not be confused when they saw them.
Game summary
The Giants called their first trick play, which was similar to anotherFumblerooski
In American football, the fumblerooski is a trick play, most famously used by the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers against the University of Miami Hurricanes in the 1984 Orange Bowl. It was invented by John Heisman....
that was invented much later, early in the first quarter. A shift allowed Mel Hein
Mel Hein
Melvin Jack Hein was an American Professional Football player for the New York Giants. Hein played fifteen seasons for the Giants and never missed a down due to injury...
, the team's center, to be an eligible receiver, but instead of passing the ball to him, after the snap, Newman handed it back to him and, pretending he still had it, dropped back as though he was going to pass. Hein, with the ball hidden under his jersey, ran from the Bears 45-yard line to their 15. Hein may have been able to gain more yards, but when he saw the open field in front of him he sprinted toward the goal line instead of waiting for his blockers like he was supposed to. The Giants were unable to score on this drive, as Chicago's defense tightened and they missed a field goal. Jack Manders
Jack Manders
Jack "Automatic Jack" Manders was a National Football League running back for the Chicago Bears from 1933 through 1940. He is the older brother of Clarence Manders....
kicked a field goal late in the first quarter, and another in the middle of the second quarter to give the Bears a 6–0 lead.
New York responded with a drive in which a 30 yard run by Kink Richards
Kink Richards
Elvin C. "Kink" Richards was an American football running back in the National Football League for the New York Giants. He played college football at Des Moines University....
got them into Chicago territory, and which culminated in the first touchdown in NFL championship game history via a 29-yard pass from Newman to Badgro. Manders kicked his third field goal of the game early in the third quarter to Give Chicago a 9–7 lead, then New York scored a touchdown on a 61-yard drive when Max Krause
Max Krause
Max Joseph Krause was an American football running back in the National Football League for the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins.-High school career:...
ran the ball in from the Chicago one yard line. The Bears responded by scoring on a 92-yard drive behind the running of Nagurski, and a Nagurski jump pass for a touchdown to end Bill Karr
Bill Karr
William Morrison Karr Jr. was an end who played six seasons in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears. Karr attended West Virginia University....
, that made the score 16–14 Chicago going into the fourth quarter.
In the final quarter, the Giants drove 61 yards to the Chicago eight yard line. They scored when Strong improvised on a reverse
Reverse (American football)
A reverse is a relatively common trick play in American football that involves one or more abrupt changes in the lateral flow of a rushing play.-Variations:...
and lateraled the ball to Newman who then passed it back to Strong for a touchdown. Strong kicked the extra point making the game 21–16 Giants. Chicago drove to the New York 36-yard line on the ensuing drive, and Nagurski again attempted a jump pass. This time the Giants were ready for the play but were fooled when the receiver, Bill Hewitt
Bill Hewitt
Foster William Alfred Hewitt was a Canadian radio and television sportscaster. He was the son of hockey broadcaster Foster Hewitt and the grandson of Toronto Star sports journalist W. A. Hewitt.Hewitt excelled at football, track & field and hockey, while at Upper Canada College...
, who they were prepared to tackle, lateraled the ball to Karr, who ran 25 yards for the touchdown with under two minutes remaining. Their successful extra point attempt gave them a 23–21 lead.
The Giants drove to their own 40-yard line on the game's final drive, but running back Dale Burnett
Dale Burnett
Dale R. Burnett was an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League....
missed a wide open Hein on another trick play. Burnett threw a wobbly pass to Hein who was standing uncovered on the Bears 30-yard line. On the game's final play Grange tackled Badgro before he could complete the lateral portion of the hook and ladder play New York was attempting. Grange diagnosed the play correctly, and wrapped up Badgro's arms rather than his legs so he could not pitch the ball to Burnett.
The Bears repeated as champions with the victory, and the win marked their second of three titles under head coach George Halas.
Legacy
In a story the following day, the Associated PressAssociated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
described it as "probably the most spectacular game of the year" and "a brilliant display of offensive power".
Scoring summary
Sources:- First Quarter
- Chi- FG Manders (16 yards) 3–0 CHI
- Second Quarter
- Chi- FG Manders (40 yards) 6–0 CHI
- NY- Badgro 29 yard pass from Newman (Strong kick) 7–6 NYG
- Third Quarter
- Chi- FG Manders (15 yards) 9–7 CHI
- NY - KrauseMax KrauseMax Joseph Krause was an American football running back in the National Football League for the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins.-High school career:...
1 yard run (Strong Kick) 14–9 NYG - Chi- Karr 8 yard pass from Nagurski (Manders kick) 16–14 CHI
- Fourth Quarter
- NY- Strong 8 yard pass from Newman (Strong kick) 21–16 NYG
- Chi- Karr 25 yard lateral from Hewitt after 14 yard pass from Nagurski to Hewitt (Brumbaugh kick) 23–21 CHI