1952 NFL Championship Game

none November 2013 nflc 1952 File:1952GameProgram.jpg Detroit Lions Cleveland Browns Buddy Parker Paul Brown National American DET CLE 9–3 8–4 0 7 7 3 17 0 0 7 0 7 December 28, 1952 Cleveland Municipal Stadium Cleveland, Ohio 50,934 DuMont Harry Wismer Mutual Lions: Jack Christiansen, Lou Creekmur, Bobby Layne, Yale Lary, Dick Stanfel, Doak Walker Browns: Paul Brown (coach/gm), Len Ford, Frank Gatski, Otto Graham, Lou Groza, Dante Lavelli, Marion Motley, Mac Speedie, Bill Willis USA 1 Cleveland 41.506 -81.700 Location in the United States bottom 5 290 The 1952 NFL Championship Game was the 20th annual championship game, held on December 28 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio.http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1952/12/28/page/25/article/lions-browns-battle-today-for-pro-title Chicago Sunday Tribune Prell Edward Lions, Browns battle today for title December 28, 1952 1, part 2http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1952/12/29/page/41/article/lions-win-pro-crown-beat-browns-17-7 Chicago Daily Tribune Prell Edward Lions win pro crown; beat Browns, 17-7 December 29, 1952 1, part 3https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=30UxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RhAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7077%2C1944826 Milwaukee Sentinel Associated Press Lions trip Browns, 17-7, for NFL crown December 29, 1952 2, part 2 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4UUNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kGoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6140%2C1346058 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Sell Jack Lions defeat Browns for NFL title, 17-7 December 29, 1952 18 The Detroit Lions (9–3) were the National Conference champions and met the Cleveland Browns (8–4), champions of the American Conference. It was the first of three consecutive matchups in the title game between the Lions and Browns. The Lions were led by quarterback Bobby Layne, running back Doak Walker, and head coach Buddy Parker, and the Browns were led by head coach Paul Brown and quarterback Otto Graham. It was the Browns' third consecutive NFL championship game appearance since joining the NFL in 1950. The Lions returned to the title game after 17 years, since their win in 1935. The Lions finished the 1952 regular season tied with the Los Angeles Rams (9–3) for top of the National Conference. Even though the Lions won both meetings, the rules of the day called for a tiebreaker playoff game. The teams' third game was held at Briggs Stadium in Detroit on December 21, which the Lions also won, 31–21.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hHxIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4WoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4695%2C6214058 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Associated Press Harder leads Lions to 31-21 win over Rams December 22, 1952 22 The Lions were 3½-point favorites in the title game,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3kUxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RhAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1843%2C1153999 Milwaukee Sentinel Associated Press Lions, hot after 1st title, favored by 3½ points December 28, 1952 1B and won by ten points, 17–7, winning their first NFL title since 1935. This is one of only two road playoff game the Lions have won in their history as a franchise, with the only other one coming in 1957. Game summary Detroit took the opening kickoff, failed to gain, and punted, with Renfro getting back 11 yards to the Browns' 41. A couple of offside penalties were costly, but the Browns still managed to reach the 18, as Graham was then tossed for an 11-yard loss and the threat ended with Lou Groza missing a field goal from the 25. Detroit then moved upfield, getting to the Cleveland 30, but also failed to score when Pat Harder was short and wide with a field goal bid from 37 yards out. Punter Horace Gillom punted a short kick, which rolled out at midfield, with the Lions going 50 yards in seven plays. Layne started it with a pass to Cloyce Box for 10 yards to the 40 and then ran for 13 and another first down on the 27. Layne added nine more before Walker made a first down on the 16, from where Layne passed to Bill Swiacki for 14 yards to the three. After an offsides penalty, Layne would run the ball in for a touchdown and the Lions led at halftime, 7–0. The second half started with the Browns moving steadily, until checked by David's interception. Detroit was halted on this chance with the ball, but clicked the next time when Walker broke away for the touchdown that boosted the lead to 14 points. A Cleveland third quarter touchdown narrowed the lead to 7, but a defensive stand from the Lions from their own 5 along with a late Pat Harder field goal sealed the victory and the Lions' first championship since 1935.http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbrowns%2Fmore%2Fhistory%2F19521228BROWNS.html Cleveland Browns History - cleveland.com August 27, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20121001165011/http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbrowns%2Fmore%2Fhistory%2F19521228BROWNS.html October 1, 2012 dead mdy-all Scoring summary text-align:center; background:#eee Detroit Lions 17, Cleveland Browns 7 December 28, 1952 1 p.m. EST Lions 0 7 7 3 Browns 0 0 7 0 Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio Pro-Football-Reference First quarter no scoring Second quarter DET – Bobby Layne 2-yard run (Pat Harder kick). Lions 7–0 Third quarter DET – Doak Walker 67-yard run (Pat Harder kick). Lions 14–0 CLE – Chick Jagade 7-yard run (Lou Groza kick). Lions 14–7 Fourth quarter DET – Pat Harder 36-yard field goal. Lions 17–7 Officials Referee: Thomas Timlin Umpire: Samuel Wilson Head linesman: Charlie Berry Back judge: James Hamer Field judge: Lloyd Brazil The NFL added the fifth official, the back judge, in 1947; the line judge arrived in 1965, and the side judge in 1978. Players' shares The gross receipts for the game, including radio and television rights, were just over $314,000. Each player on the winning Lions team received $2,274, while Browns players made $1,712 each, the highest to date. See also 1952 NFL playoffs References 2 External links Harold Sauerbrie, "Lions Beat Browns, 17–7, For Title", Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 28, 1952, Browns history database retrieved December 12, 2007 PFRA Coffin Corner: 1952: The Dawning of Motown's Gridiron Empire 41.506 -81.700 type:event title Championship Game, 1952 1952 NFL Championship Game Category:Cleveland Browns postseason Category:Detroit Lions postseason NFL Championship Game Category:December 1952 sports events in the United States Category:1950s in Cleveland Category:American football competitions in Cleveland