1963 NFL Championship Game
Encyclopedia
The 1963
National Football League
Championship Game was played on December 29, 1963 at Wrigley Field
in Chicago. The game pitted the visiting New York Giants
(11–3) against the Chicago Bears
(11–1–2) in the 31st annual championship game. Originally, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle
asked Bears owner/coach George Halas
to move the game to Soldier Field
due to increased seating capacity as well as lights, in case the sun would set during the game. When Halas refused, Rozelle pushed the starting time of the game to 12:05 pm Central Time
. The championship was also played on a day when the game time temperature was between 9–11 degrees Fahrenheit.
, were known for their powerful offense, which scored 448 points in 14 games. They were led by quarterback
Y. A. Tittle
who threw 36 touchdown passes during the season, then an NFL record. Other contributing players on offense were Pro Bowl
ers Del Shofner
and Frank Gifford
. Wide receiver Shofner caught 64 passes for 1,181 yards and 9 touchdowns. Although he normally was a running back, and only recorded four rushing attempts in 1963, Gifford had 42 receptions for 657 yards and 7 touchdowns. The Giants also used a plethora of players at running back, with the main two being Phil King
and Joe Morrison
. Although neither one had significant individual statistics, they combined for 1,181 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns.
The Giants defense allowed 280 points, ranking 5th overall in the NFL. This group was led by future Pro Football Hall of Fame
linebacker
Sam Huff
. Other contributing players on defense were defensive linemen, Jim Katcavage
, and John LoVetere
; linebacker Tom Scott
; and defensive backs
Erich Barnes
and Dick Lynch
.
Meanwhile, the Bears were known for their defense, nicknamed the Monsters of the Midway
. Led by defensive coordinator
George Allen, this unit yielded 144 points in 14 games. The defensive line consisted of Ed O'Bradovich
, Fred Williams
, Stan Jones
, and future hall of famer Doug Atkins
. The linebacking core was led by Joe Fortunato
, Bill George
, and Larry Morris
, while the defensive backs were led by Richie Petitbon
and Rosey Taylor
. Accomplishments by the Bears defense during the regular season included surrendering only 1 touchdown in two games versus the Green Bay Packers
, and not allowing any passing touchdowns in its two games against quarterback Johnny Unitas
and the Baltimore Colts
. Writers in New York were especially fearful of the trio at linebacker, stating that Tittle had yet to see a group like them all year.http://www.footballresearch.com/articles/frpage.cfm?topic=champ63
Chicago's offense did not come close to the Giants offense in terms of points scored or yards gained. The group only scored 301 points, ranking 10th out of the league's then-14 teams. Led by quarterback Bill Wade, the number 1 overall pick in the 1952 NFL Draft
. Wade ran a simplified game plan, nicknamed "three yards and a cloud of dust", in which they would play it safe by running the ball in almost every play instead of giving up an interception. Occasionally Wade would throw short passes to tight end
Mike Ditka
and wide receiver, Johnny Morris.
to tie the game at 7.
In the second quarter, the Giants retook the lead, 10–7, on a 13-yard field goal. But on New York's next drive, Tittle reinjured his left knee on another hit by Morris. With Tittle out for two possessions, the Giants struggled, only able to advance 2 yards in 7 plays. Allie Sherman even punted on third down, showing no confidence in backup Glynn Griffing. However, the score remained 10–7 at halftime.
Tittle would come back in the third period, but he needed Cortisone
, Novocaine, and heavy taping and bandaging just to continue. For the rest of the game, Tittle was forced to throw off his back foot (poor mechanics for a quarterback). An interception on a screen pass by the Bears' Ed O'Bradovich was brought deep into Giant territory, setting up Wade's 1-yard touchdown to give Chicago a 14–10 lead. The score would hold up, and the Bears iced the game on Richie Petitbon's interception in the end zone
with 10 seconds left. It was Tittle's 5th interception. The play occurred right after Shofner dropped a pass in the end zone. At the end of the game defensive coordinator George Allen was given the game ball due to his defense's spectacular play.
Although the young American Football League
was completing its fourth season, the NFL still regarded itself as the premiere professional league of American football, as reflected in WGN radio broadcaster Jack Quinlan
's comment as the click ticked to 0 on the final play: "The Chicago Bears are world's champions of professional football!" It would be another twenty-two years
before the Bears would win another championship.
1963 NFL season
The 1963 NFL season was the 44th regular season of the National Football League. On April 17, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle indefinitely suspended Green Bay Packers running back Paul Hornung and Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alex Karras for gambling on their own teams, as well as other NFL games;...
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 played on December 29, 1963 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. The game pitted the visiting 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) against 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...
(11–1–2) in the 31st annual championship game. Originally, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle
Pete Rozelle
Alvin Ray "Pete" Rozelle was the commissioner of the National Football League from January 1960 to November 1989, when he retired from office. Rozelle is credited with making the NFL into one of the most successful sports leagues in the world....
asked Bears owner/coach 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...
to move the game to Soldier Field
Soldier Field
Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears...
due to increased seating capacity as well as lights, in case the sun would set during the game. When Halas refused, Rozelle pushed the starting time of the game to 12:05 pm Central Time
Central Time zone
In North America, the Central Time Zone refers to national time zones which observe standard time by subtracting six hours from UTC , and daylight saving, or summer time by subtracting five hours...
. The championship was also played on a day when the game time temperature was between 9–11 degrees Fahrenheit.
Background
The Giants, coached by Allie ShermanAllie Sherman
Alexander "Allie" Sherman is a retired American football National Football League running back and head coach....
, were known for their powerful offense, which scored 448 points in 14 games. They were led by quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
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...
who threw 36 touchdown passes during the season, then an NFL record. Other contributing players on offense were Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
ers 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...
and 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....
. Wide receiver Shofner caught 64 passes for 1,181 yards and 9 touchdowns. Although he normally was a running back, and only recorded four rushing attempts in 1963, Gifford had 42 receptions for 657 yards and 7 touchdowns. The Giants also used a plethora of players at running back, with the main two being 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"...
and Joe Morrison
Joe Morrison
Joseph R. Morrison was an American football player in the National Football League for the New York Giants and a coach best known as the head coach at the University of South Carolina.-Playing career:...
. Although neither one had significant individual statistics, they combined for 1,181 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns.
The Giants defense allowed 280 points, ranking 5th overall in the NFL. This group was led by future Pro Football 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...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
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....
. Other contributing players on defense were defensive linemen, 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...
, and John LoVetere
John LoVetere
John Manning LoVetere is a former American football defensive tackle who played seven seasons in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants. He played college football at Compton Junior College.Found article at Helmut HutJohn LoVetere is one of the most impressive...
; linebacker Tom Scott
Tom Scott (NFL player)
Thomas Coster Scott is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants. He played college football at the University of Virginia, where he was an All-American as an offensive and defensive end. He was inducted into the...
; and defensive backs
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
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...
and 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...
.
Meanwhile, the Bears were known for their defense, nicknamed the Monsters of the Midway
Monsters of the Midway
The "Monsters of the Midway" is most widely known as the nickname for the National Football League's Chicago Bears—particularly the dominant teams of 1940 and 1941...
. Led by defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
George Allen, this unit yielded 144 points in 14 games. The defensive line consisted of Ed O'Bradovich
Ed O'Bradovich
Edward O'Bradovich is a former American football defensive end in the NFL. Drafted by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 1962 NFL Draft, he spent his entire ten-year career with the Bears...
, Fred Williams
Fred Williams (football player)
Fred Williams was an American football defensive lineman in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins. He went to four Pro Bowls during his 14-year career. Williams played college football at the University of Arkansas and was drafted in the fifth round of the...
, Stan Jones
Stan Jones (American football)
Stanley Paul "Stan" Jones was an American football guard and defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears and the Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991...
, and future hall of famer Doug Atkins
Doug Atkins
Douglas Leon Atkins is a former American football defensive end who played for the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints in the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Tennessee under legendary head coach Robert Neyland...
. The linebacking core was led by Joe Fortunato
Joe Fortunato
Joseph Francis Fortunato is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League.Fortunato played 12 seasons for the Chicago Bears . As a linebacker, he made the Pro Bowl five times, and was named to the NFL 300 Greatest Players team. He wore #31 with the Chicago Bears...
, Bill George
Bill George
William J. George was a professional football player, playing linebacker, for the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Rams....
, and Larry Morris
Larry Morris
Larry Morris is a retired American football linebacker.Morris attended Georgia Tech. After college, he played professionally in the National Football League with the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons. He was named of the linebackers on the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team...
, while the defensive backs were led by Richie Petitbon
Richie Petitbon
Richard Alvin Petitbon is a former American football safety and head coach of the Washington Redskins of the National Football League...
and Rosey Taylor
Roosevelt Taylor
Roosevelt "Rosey" Taylor is a former American football safety who played for the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He played college football at Grambling State University.Taylor was a key defensive player on the 1963 Bears NFL...
. Accomplishments by the Bears defense during the regular season included surrendering only 1 touchdown in two games versus the 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...
, and not allowing any passing touchdowns in its two games against quarterback Johnny Unitas
Johnny Unitas
John Constantine Unitas , known as Johnny Unitas or "Johnny U", and nicknamed "The Golden Arm", was a professional American football player in the 1950s through the 1970s, spending the majority of his career with the Baltimore Colts. He was a record-setting quarterback, and the National Football...
and the Baltimore Colts
History of the Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They play in the AFC South division of the National Football League. They have won 3 NFL championships and 2 Super Bowls....
. Writers in New York were especially fearful of the trio at linebacker, stating that Tittle had yet to see a group like them all year.http://www.footballresearch.com/articles/frpage.cfm?topic=champ63
Chicago's offense did not come close to the Giants offense in terms of points scored or yards gained. The group only scored 301 points, ranking 10th out of the league's then-14 teams. Led by quarterback Bill Wade, the number 1 overall pick in the 1952 NFL Draft
1952 NFL Draft
The 1952 National Football League Draft was held on January 17, 1952. Picks made by New York Yanks were assigned to the new Dallas Texans.-Player selections:-Round one:* HOF Member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame-Round two:-Round three:...
. Wade ran a simplified game plan, nicknamed "three yards and a cloud of dust", in which they would play it safe by running the ball in almost every play instead of giving up an interception. Occasionally Wade would throw short passes to tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
Mike Ditka
Mike Ditka
Michael Keller Ditka, Jr. is a former American football NFL player, television commentator, and coach. Ditka coached the Chicago Bears for 11 years and New Orleans Saints for three years. Ditka and Tom Flores are the only two people to win Super Bowls as a player, an assistant coach, and a head...
and wide receiver, Johnny Morris.
Game summary
The Giants opened the scoring in the first quarter when Y.A. Tittle led New York on an 41-yard drive that was capped off by a 14-yard touchdown pass to Frank Gifford. The drive was set up by Billy Wade's fumble on the Bears' 41 yard line. However, later in the first period, Tittle suffered an injury to his left knee when Larry Morris hit him during his throwing motion. For the rest of the game, Tittle would never be the same. Morris then intercepted Tittle's screen pass and returned the ball 61 yards to the Giants 6-yard line. Two plays later, Wade scored a touchdown on a two-yard quarterback sneakQuarterback sneak
A quarterback sneak is a play in Canadian and American football in which the quarterback, upon taking the center snap, dives ahead while the offensive line surges forward...
to tie the game at 7.
In the second quarter, the Giants retook the lead, 10–7, on a 13-yard field goal. But on New York's next drive, Tittle reinjured his left knee on another hit by Morris. With Tittle out for two possessions, the Giants struggled, only able to advance 2 yards in 7 plays. Allie Sherman even punted on third down, showing no confidence in backup Glynn Griffing. However, the score remained 10–7 at halftime.
Tittle would come back in the third period, but he needed Cortisone
Cortisone
Cortisone is a steroid hormone. It is one of the main hormones released by the adrenal gland in response to stress. In chemical structure, it is a corticosteroid closely related to corticosterone. It is used to treat a variety of ailments and can be administered intravenously, orally,...
, Novocaine, and heavy taping and bandaging just to continue. For the rest of the game, Tittle was forced to throw off his back foot (poor mechanics for a quarterback). An interception on a screen pass by the Bears' Ed O'Bradovich was brought deep into Giant territory, setting up Wade's 1-yard touchdown to give Chicago a 14–10 lead. The score would hold up, and the Bears iced the game on Richie Petitbon's interception in the end zone
End zone
In gridiron-based codes of football, the end zone refers to the scoring area on the field. It is the area between the end line and goal line bounded by the sidelines. There are two end zones, each being on an opposite side of the field...
with 10 seconds left. It was Tittle's 5th interception. The play occurred right after Shofner dropped a pass in the end zone. At the end of the game defensive coordinator George Allen was given the game ball due to his defense's spectacular play.
Although the young American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
was completing its fourth season, the NFL still regarded itself as the premiere professional league of American football, as reflected in WGN radio broadcaster Jack Quinlan
Jack Quinlan
Jack Quinlan was an American sportscaster. He was best known for covering the Chicago Cubs first on WIND 1955-56, then on WGN radio from 1957 to 1964, his broadcast partner was Hall of Famer Lou Boudreau 1957 to April 1960, 1961 to 1964 and Cubs legend Charlie Grimm April 1960 to October...
's comment as the click ticked to 0 on the final play: "The Chicago Bears are world's champions of professional football!" It would be another twenty-two years
Super Bowl XX
Super Bowl XX was an American football championship game played on January 26, 1986 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1985 regular season...
before the Bears would win another championship.
Scoring summary
- First Quarter
- NYG – GiffordFrank GiffordFrancis 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....
14 pass from TittleY. A. TittleYelberton 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...
(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), 7:22 7–0 NYG - CHI – Wade 2 yard run (JencksBob JencksRobert William Jencks was a former American football kicker and end in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears and the Washington Redskins. He played college football at Miami University and was drafted in the second round of the 1963 NFL Draft...
kick), 14:44 7–7 TIE
- NYG – Gifford
- Second Quarter
- NYG – FG 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...
13, 5:11 10–7 NYG
- NYG – FG Chandler
- Third Quarter
- CHI – Wade 1 yard run (JencksBob JencksRobert William Jencks was a former American football kicker and end in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears and the Washington Redskins. He played college football at Miami University and was drafted in the second round of the 1963 NFL Draft...
kick), 12:48 14–10 CHI
- CHI – Wade 1 yard run (Jencks
- Fourth Quarter
- None