NFL Championship Game, 1962
Encyclopedia
The 1962
National Football League
championship game was the 30th NFL title game. The game was played on December 30, 1962 at Yankee Stadium in New York City
between the New York Giants
and Green Bay Packers
. The attendance for the game was 64,892. The Packers were coached by Hall of Fame
coach Vince Lombardi
, and the Giants by Allie Sherman
. The weather during the game was so cold that television crews used bonfires to thaw out their cameras, and one cameraman suffered frostbite. The conditions also made throwing the ball difficult. Green Bay won 16–7 behind the performances of game Most Valuable Player
linebacker Ray Nitschke
, and fullback Jim Taylor. Green Bay right guard Jerry Kramer
kicked three field goals. The Giants fumbled twice, losing each, while the Packers recovered all five of their fumbles.
, where they gained 628 yards to Philadelphia's 54. Before the game, 10,000 fans at a New York Knicks
game spontaneously began chanting "Beat Green Bay! Beat Green Bay!", and when the 18,000 tickets available to non season ticket holders went on sale for the game, they sold within three hours. Due to the NFL's blackout
policy which aimed to protect gate receipts, until 1973, fans in a team's home market could not watch their team's regular season and playoff games on television, even if they were title games. New York fans made reservations for motels in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut so they could watch the game out of the 75 mile blackout zone, and even though the game was played in single digit weather with 35–40 mph winds, only 299 of the 65,000+ Giant fans who bought tickets to the sold out game stayed home. Although the weather was temperate the previous day, during the contest it became so cold that a cameraman filming the game suffered frostbite, and television crews used dugout bonfires to thaw out their cameras. Broadcaster Art Rust, Jr. later described the weather as "barbaric". The cold conditions favored the Packers who used a run-oriented offense led by Taylor, while the Giants featured a more pass heavy offense led by quarterback YA Tittle who, coming into the game, had passed for 3,224 yards and 33 touchdowns on the season.
near the goal line was tipped by Nitschke and intercepted by fellow linebacker Dan Currie
. During most of the first and second quarter, the teams ran the ball for short gains. The Giants repeatedly hit Taylor hard, and he suffered cuts to his arm and tongue. Near halftime, the Giants Phil King
fumbled on their own 28, and Nitchke recovered. Behind a halfback pass from Paul Hornung
to flanker Boyd Dowler
, the Packers drove to the Giants seven yard line. On the following play Taylor used an outside fake before going back inside to run untouched into the end zone.
The weather worsened by halftime and the wind swirled dust around the stadium, tearing apart the ballpark's United States flag, and knocking over a television camera. Passing became even more difficult; the longest pass of the day was a 25 yard one from Tittle to Walton. After blocking a Green Bay punt in the end zone and recovering it for a touchdown to pull the game to 10–7 in the third quarter, the Giants defense forced the Packers into a three and out on their next possession. Sam Horner
fumbled on a punt return at the Giants 42 yard line however, and Nitschke recovered. Five plays later Kramer kicked a field goal to make the score 13–7. Tittle, with the aid of two Packers penalties, then drove the Giants from their own 20 to the Green Bay 18 on the ensuing drive. New York then incurred two holding penalties, pushing them back to the Packers 40 yard line and ending their drive. Led by Taylor who repeatedly ran for key first downs, the Packers advanced the ball down to the New York end of the field, where they kicked a field goal to make the score 16–7 with 1:50 to play. Green Bay recovered all five of their fumbles during the game, while the Giants lost both of theirs.
and Bennett Cerf
, both Giants fans, recognized him. Ed Sabol's film company Blair Motion Pictures paid $3,000 for the film rights for the game, the company would later become NFL Films
.
The 1962 Packers team is considered one of the best in NFL history.
1962 NFL season
The 1962 NFL season was the 43rd regular season of the National Football League. Before the season, CBS signed a contract with the league to televise all regular-season games for a $4.65 million annual fee....
National Football League
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 the 30th NFL title game. The game was played on December 30, 1962 at Yankee Stadium in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
between 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...
and Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
. The attendance for the game was 64,892. The Packers were coached by Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
coach Vince Lombardi
Vince Lombardi
Vincent Thomas "Vince" Lombardi was an American football coach. He is best known as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers during the 1960s, where he led the team to three straight league championships and five in seven years, including winning the first two Super Bowls following the 1966 and...
, and the Giants by Allie Sherman
Allie Sherman
Alexander "Allie" Sherman is a retired American football National Football League running back and head coach....
. The weather during the game was so cold that television crews used bonfires to thaw out their cameras, and one cameraman suffered frostbite. The conditions also made throwing the ball difficult. Green Bay won 16–7 behind the performances of game Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
linebacker Ray Nitschke
Ray Nitschke
Raymond Ernest "Ray" Nitschke was a professional football player who played his entire career as a middle linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. Wearing #66, he played fifteen seasons, from 1958-72....
, and fullback Jim Taylor. Green Bay right guard Jerry Kramer
Jerry Kramer
Gerald Louis "Jerry" Kramer is a former professional football player, author and sports commentator, best remembered for his 11-year NFL career with the Green Bay Packers as an offensive lineman...
kicked three field goals. The Giants fumbled twice, losing each, while the Packers recovered all five of their fumbles.
Background
The 1962 game was a rematch of the 1961 championship game, won by Green Bay 37–0. The Eastern Conference champions New York Giants (12-2) faced the Western Conference titlist Green Bay Packers (13-1). Green Bay began the season 10–0 including a 49–0 victory over the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, where they gained 628 yards to Philadelphia's 54. Before the game, 10,000 fans at a New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
game spontaneously began chanting "Beat Green Bay! Beat Green Bay!", and when the 18,000 tickets available to non season ticket holders went on sale for the game, they sold within three hours. Due to the NFL's blackout
Blackout (broadcasting)
Blackout usually relates to the broadcasting of sports events, television programming, that is prohibited in a certain media market.The purpose is theoretically to generate more revenue by obliging certain actions from fans, either by making them buy tickets or watch other games on TV...
policy which aimed to protect gate receipts, until 1973, fans in a team's home market could not watch their team's regular season and playoff games on television, even if they were title games. New York fans made reservations for motels in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut so they could watch the game out of the 75 mile blackout zone, and even though the game was played in single digit weather with 35–40 mph winds, only 299 of the 65,000+ Giant fans who bought tickets to the sold out game stayed home. Although the weather was temperate the previous day, during the contest it became so cold that a cameraman filming the game suffered frostbite, and television crews used dugout bonfires to thaw out their cameras. Broadcaster Art Rust, Jr. later described the weather as "barbaric". The cold conditions favored the Packers who used a run-oriented offense led by Taylor, while the Giants featured a more pass heavy offense led by quarterback YA Tittle who, coming into the game, had passed for 3,224 yards and 33 touchdowns on the season.
Game summary
The wind caused the ball to be blown off the tee three times during the opening kickoff, and a Green Bay player had to hold the ball onto the tee so Willie Wood could kick it off. After a Jerry Kramer field goal made the score 3–0 in favor of Green Bay in the first quarter, the Giants drove to the Green Bay 15 yard line behind short passes from Tittle. Tittle's play action pass to wide open tight end Joe WaltonJoe Walton
Joseph Frank Walton is an American football coach and former player who is currently the head coach of Robert Morris University. Walton played eight seasons in the National Football League and served as head coach of the New York Jets for seven seasons...
near the goal line was tipped by Nitschke and intercepted by fellow linebacker Dan Currie
Dan Currie
Daniel George Currie is a former professional American football linebacker in the National Football League. He played nine seasons for the Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Rams . He was an All-American linebacker and center at Michigan State in 1957...
. During most of the first and second quarter, the teams ran the ball for short gains. The Giants repeatedly hit Taylor hard, and he suffered cuts to his arm and tongue. Near halftime, the Giants Phil King
Phil King (American football)
Philip Edgar King was an American football running back in the National Football League for the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football at Vanderbilt University and was drafted in the first round of the 1958 NFL Draft. Nicknamed "The Chief"...
fumbled on their own 28, and Nitchke recovered. Behind a halfback pass from Paul Hornung
Paul Hornung
Paul Vernon Hornung is a retired Hall of Fame professional football player who played for the Green Bay Packers from 1957-66...
to flanker Boyd Dowler
Boyd Dowler
Boyd Hamilton Dowler is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League who played twelve seasons for the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins from 1959 to 1971...
, the Packers drove to the Giants seven yard line. On the following play Taylor used an outside fake before going back inside to run untouched into the end zone.
The weather worsened by halftime and the wind swirled dust around the stadium, tearing apart the ballpark's United States flag, and knocking over a television camera. Passing became even more difficult; the longest pass of the day was a 25 yard one from Tittle to Walton. After blocking a Green Bay punt in the end zone and recovering it for a touchdown to pull the game to 10–7 in the third quarter, the Giants defense forced the Packers into a three and out on their next possession. Sam Horner
Sam Horner
Samuel Watson Horner, III is a former American football halfback, defensive back, and punter in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants. He played college football at the Virginia Military Institute and was drafted in the second round of the 1960 NFL Draft....
fumbled on a punt return at the Giants 42 yard line however, and Nitschke recovered. Five plays later Kramer kicked a field goal to make the score 13–7. Tittle, with the aid of two Packers penalties, then drove the Giants from their own 20 to the Green Bay 18 on the ensuing drive. New York then incurred two holding penalties, pushing them back to the Packers 40 yard line and ending their drive. Led by Taylor who repeatedly ran for key first downs, the Packers advanced the ball down to the New York end of the field, where they kicked a field goal to make the score 16–7 with 1:50 to play. Green Bay recovered all five of their fumbles during the game, while the Giants lost both of theirs.
Legacy
A few hours after this game, Nitschke, who was the game's Most Valuable Player, appeared on TV's "What's My Line?" wearing thick eyeglasses. Panelists Martin GabelMartin Gabel
Martin Gabel was an American actor, film director and film producer.-Life and career:Gabel was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Ruth and Israel Gabel, who was a jeweler...
and Bennett Cerf
Bennett Cerf
Bennett Alfred Cerf was a publisher and co-founder of Random House. Cerf was also known for his own compilations of jokes and puns, for regular personal appearances lecturing across the United States, and for his television appearances in the panel game show What's My Line?.-Biography:Bennett Cerf...
, both Giants fans, recognized him. Ed Sabol's film company Blair Motion Pictures paid $3,000 for the film rights for the game, the company would later become NFL Films
NFL Films
NFL Films is a Mount Laurel, New Jersey-based company devoted to producing commercials, television programs, feature films, and documentaries on the National Football League, as well as other unrelated major events and awards shows...
.
The 1962 Packers team is considered one of the best in NFL history.
Scoring summary
- First Quarter
- GB- Kramer 26 yard field goal 3-0 GB
- Second Quarter
- GB-Taylor 7 yard run (Kramer kick) 10-0 GB
- Third Quarter
- NY- CollierJim CollierJames Richard Collier is a former American football tight end in the National Football League for the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins. He played college football at the University of Arkansas and was drafted in the seventh round of the 1961 NFL Draft...
block punt recovery in end zone (ChandlerDon ChandlerDonald Gene "Don" Chandler was an American college and professional football player who was a punter and placekicker in the National Football League for twelve seasons in the 1950s and 1960s...
kick) 10-7 GB - GB- Kramer 29 yard field goal 13-7 GB
- NY- Collier
- Fourth Quarter
- GB- Kramer 30 yard field goal 16-7 GB
Starting lineups
Source:| Green Bay | Position | Position | New York |
|---|---|---|---|
| OFFENSE | |||
| Max McGee Max McGee William Max McGee was a professional football wide receiver who played for the Green Bay Packers from 1954-67. He served as the team's punter during a few years of his career. McGee may be best known for his performance during the first Super Bowl game. Prior to his NFL career, he played college... |
SE | Del Shofner Del Shofner Delbert Martin Shofner is a former American football wide receiver who played for eleven seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants from 1957 to 1967 in the National Football League. Shofner was a five-time consensus All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 1958, 1959, and from 1961 to 1963... |
|
| Norm Masters Norm Masters Norman Donald Masters was an American football offensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers. He was originally drafted by the Chicago Cardinals in the 1956 NFL Draft. He was 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighted 249 pounds... |
LT | Rosey Brown Rosey Brown Roosevelt "Rosey" Brown, Jr. was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the New York Giants from 1953 to 1965.... |
|
| Fuzzy Thurston | LG | Darrell Dess Darrell Dess Darrell Charles Dess is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and the Washington Redskins... |
|
| Jim Ringo Jim Ringo James Stephen "Jim" Ringo was a professional American football player, a Hall of Fame center and coach. He was a ten time Pro Bowler during his career.... |
C | Ray Wietecha Ray Wietecha Raymond Walter Wietecha was an American football center in the National Football League for the New York Giants... |
|
| Jerry Kramer Jerry Kramer Gerald Louis "Jerry" Kramer is a former professional football player, author and sports commentator, best remembered for his 11-year NFL career with the Green Bay Packers as an offensive lineman... |
RG | Greg Larson Greg Larson Gregory Kenneth Larson is a former American football center in the National Football League for the New York Giants. He played college football at the University of Minnesota and was drafted in the sixth round of the 1961 NFL Draft. Larson was also selected in the eleventh round of the 1961 AFL... |
|
| Forrest Gregg Forrest Gregg Alvis Forrest Gregg is a former American football player and coach in the National Football League. During a Pro Football Hall of Fame playing career, he was a part of six championships, five of them with the Green Bay Packers before closing out his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys with a win in... |
RT | Jack Stroud Jack Stroud Jack Chester Stroud was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the New York Giants. He played college football at the University of Tennessee and was drafted in the fifth round of the 1951 NFL Draft.-References:... |
|
| Ron Kramer Ron Kramer Ronald J. Kramer was a multi-sport college athlete and professional American football player. Before embarking on a career in the National Football League, he lettered in football, basketball, and track at the University of Michigan in the 1950s... |
TE | Joe Walton Joe Walton Joseph Frank Walton is an American football coach and former player who is currently the head coach of Robert Morris University. Walton played eight seasons in the National Football League and served as head coach of the New York Jets for seven seasons... |
|
| Boyd Dowler Boyd Dowler Boyd Hamilton Dowler is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League who played twelve seasons for the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins from 1959 to 1971... |
FL | Frank Gifford Frank Gifford Francis Newton "Frank" Gifford is a Hall of Fame former American football player and American sportscaster.-Early life:Gifford was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of Lola Mae and Weldon Gifford, an oil driller.... |
|
| Bart Starr Bart Starr Bryan Bartlett "Bart" Starr is a former professional American football player and coach. Wearing #15, he was the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers from 1956 to 1971 and head coach from 1975 to 1983, compiling a record of 52–76–3 .... |
QB | Y. A. Tittle Y. A. Tittle Yelberton Abraham Tittle , better known as Y. A. Tittle, is a former football quarterback in the National Football League and All-America Football Conference who played for the Baltimore Colts, San Francisco 49ers, and the New York Giants... |
|
| Paul Hornung Paul Hornung Paul Vernon Hornung is a retired Hall of Fame professional football player who played for the Green Bay Packers from 1957-66... |
LH | Phil King Phil King (American football) Philip Edgar King was an American football running back in the National Football League for the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football at Vanderbilt University and was drafted in the first round of the 1958 NFL Draft. Nicknamed "The Chief"... |
|
| Jim Taylor | FB | Alex Webster | |
| DEFENSE | |||
| Willie Davis | LE | Jim Katcavage Jim Katcavage James Richard Katcavage was an American football defensive tackle in the National Football League who played thirteen seasons for the New York Giants. From 1952 until 1956, Katcavage played college football at the University of Dayton and was drafted in the fourth round of the 1956 NFL Draft... |
|
| Dave Hanner Dave Hanner Dave "Hawg" Hanner – Joel David Hanner was an American football player, coach and scout who spent his entire 42 year career with the Green Bay Packers.... |
LDT | Dick Modzelewski Dick Modzelewski Richard Blair Modzelewski is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and the Cleveland Browns. He also served as interim head coach of the Browns in the final game of the 1977 season... |
|
| Henry Jordan Henry Jordan Henry Wendell Jordan was an American football defensive tackle who played for two teams, the Green Bay Packers and the Cleveland Browns, during his thirteen-year National Football League career. He played in the NFL from 1957 to 1969.Jordan attended Warwick High School in Newport News, Virginia... |
RDT | Rosey Grier Rosey Grier Roosevelt "Rosey" Grier is an American actor, singer, Christian minister, and former professional American football player. He was a notable college football player for Pennsylvania State University who earned a retrospective place in the National Collegiate Athletic Association 100th anniversary... |
|
| Bill Quinlan Bill Quinlan William David Quinlan is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, and the Washington Redskins. He also played in the Canadian Football League for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats... |
RE | Andy Robustelli Andy Robustelli Andrew Richard "Andy" Robustelli was an American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants. He played college football at Arnold College and was drafted in the nineteenth round of the 1951 NFL Draft... |
|
| Dan Currie Dan Currie Daniel George Currie is a former professional American football linebacker in the National Football League. He played nine seasons for the Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Rams . He was an All-American linebacker and center at Michigan State in 1957... |
LOLB | Bill Winter | |
| Ray Nitschke Ray Nitschke Raymond Ernest "Ray" Nitschke was a professional football player who played his entire career as a middle linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. Wearing #66, he played fifteen seasons, from 1958-72.... |
MLB | Sam Huff Sam Huff Robert Lee "Sam" Huff is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982.... |
|
| Bill Forrester Bill Forrester William Ronald "Bill" Forrester, Jr. is a former American swimmer. He represented the United States at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, where he received a bronze medal in men's 200 m butterfly.-External links:* , from http://www.sports-reference.com/.... |
ROLB | Tom Scott | |
| Herb Adderley Herb Adderley Herbert Allen Adderley is a former American football cornerback who played for the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.... |
LCB | Erich Barnes Erich Barnes Erich Theodore Barnes was an American football defensive back in the National Football League. He was a six-time Pro Bowler. Before the NFL he was an outstanding all around athlete at Purdue University . Barnes was drafted fourth by the Bears in the 1958 NFL Draft and traded to the Giants in 1961... |
|
| Jesse Whittenton Jesse Whittenton -External links:*... |
RCB | Dick Lynch Dick Lynch Richard Dennis "Dick" Lynch was an American football defensive back in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants. He was a one-time Pro Bowler in 1963, when he led the NFL in interceptions... |
|
| Hank Gremminger Hank Gremminger Charles Henry "Hank" Gremminger was an American football defensive back in the National Football League. He played ten seasons for the Green Bay Packers and one for the Los Angeles Rams .-External links:... |
SS | Allan Webb | |
| Willie Wood | FS | Jimmy Patton Jimmy Patton James Russell Patton was an American football defensive back in the National Football League for the New York Giants. He was a five-time Pro Bowler... |
|