1939 NFL Championship Game

none November 2013 nflc 1939 File:MilwaukeeMilePanorama.jpg The Milwaukee Mile in the Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wisconsin, the site of the 1939 NFL Championship Game. New York Giants NYG Green Bay Packers Eastern Western GB Steve Owen Curly Lambeau 9–1–1 9–2 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 10 10 27 December 10, 1939 Milwaukee Mile(State Fair Park) West Allis, Wisconsin 32,379 Bill Halloran Green Bay by 10 pointsGreen Bay 7-to-5 Giants: Tim Mara (owner/founder), Wellington Mara (administrator), Steve Owen (coach), Mel Hein, Tuffy Leemans, Ken Strong Packers: Curly Lambeau (coach/gm), Arnie Herber, Clarke Hinkle, Don Hutson USA 1 Wisconsin State Fair Park 43.020 -88.012 Location in the United States left 5 290 The 1939 NFL Championship Game was the seventh league championship game of the National Football League (NFL), held on December 10 inside the Milwaukee Mile, located at the Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, a suburb west of Milwaukee. The New York Giants (9–1–1), the defending champions, played the Western Division champion Green Bay Packers (9–2). https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/1939_games.htm 1939 Green Bay Packers games Pro-Football-Reference.com June 10, 2024 June 21, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170621181111/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/1939_games.htm live https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyg/1939_games.htm 1939 New York Giants games Pro-Football-Reference.com June 10, 2024 May 14, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170514144303/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyg/1939_games.htm live The teams had met in the previous year's title game in New York City, which the Giants won by six points, but did not play each other in the 1939 regular season. http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1939/12/10/page/35/article/packers-meet-giants-for-pro-title-today Chicago Tribune Packers meet Giants for pro title today Strickler George December 10, 1939 1, part 2 June 10, 2024 February 2, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170202114219/http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1939/12/10/page/35/article/packers-meet-giants-for-pro-title-today/ live For the title game in Wisconsin, the Packers opened as 8-to-5 gambling favorites to win, with odds said to have tightened to 7-to-5 as gametime approached.Steve Snider, "Packers, Giants to Clash for Pro Grid Title Today: 32,000 Pay $80,000 to See Big Game in Milwaukee," Eau Claire [WI] Leader, Dec. 10, 1939, p. 14. The host Packers scored a touchdown in the first quarter and led 7–0 at halftime. http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1939/12/11/page/21/article/masthead-3-no-title Chicago Tribune Strickler George Packers win pro title; whip Giants, 27-0 December 11, 1939 21 June 10, 2024 October 11, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161011200317/http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1939/12/11/page/21/article/masthead-3-no-title/ live They dominated in the second half to win 27–0 and secure their fifth title—two more than any other franchise.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WkNQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KA0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6458%2C2333457 Milwaukee Sentinel Bays crush Giants in title game McGlynn Stoney December 11, 1939 15 December 21, 2015 June 16, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160616224720/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WkNQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KA0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6458%2C2333457 live https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SqBQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TCIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6506%2C4783152 Milwaukee Journal Kuechle Oliver E. Packers' power and deceptive passing game defeat Giants, 27-0 December 11, 1939 6, part 2 December 21, 2015 December 22, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151222173736/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SqBQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TCIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6506%2C4783152 live https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rcsaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TEwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6590%2C2196042 Pittsburgh Press Snider Steve United Press Pro grid reaches new heights in playoff December 11, 1939 26 December 21, 2015 December 22, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151222171958/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rcsaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TEwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6590%2C2196042 live https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LA0xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TOEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4019%2C2595985 Reading Eagle Pennsylvania United Press Green Bay pro champs of gridiron December 11, 1939 15 December 21, 2015 December 22, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151222171423/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LA0xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TOEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4019%2C2595985 live At the time, it was the highest attended sporting event in the Milwaukee area's history. Location The game (hosted by the Packers) was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the "Dairy Bowl" stadium, located in the infield of the Milwaukee Mile racetrack). The game took place in Milwaukee rather than the team's home city of Green Bay, Wisconsin due to team owner Curly Lambeau's belief that a game in Milwaukee (a larger city more accessible by rail) would generate greater attendance than one in Green Bay. Lambeau's decision paid off, with a sold-out game.Last NFL Draft in Wisconsin Was Missed Opportunity For City https://kewauneecountystarnews.com/stories/last-nfl-draft-in-wisconsin-was-missed-opportunity-for-city,17268 Kewaunee County Star News 11 April 2025 en 10 January 2024 The newly-built "Dairy Bowl" football stadium was dedicated at halftime with the breaking of a bottle of milk. On hand were Wisconsin Governor Julius P. Heil and Milwaukee Mayor Daniel Hoan. http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1939/12/11/page/21/article/packers-earn-703-97-each-in-title-triumph Chicago Tribune Packers earn $703.97 each in title triumph December 11, 1939 21 June 10, 2024 February 2, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170202113020/http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1939/12/11/page/21/article/packers-earn-703-97-each-in-title-triumph/ live http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1939/12/11/page/30/ Chicago Tribune Green Bay, wins professional football title by defeating Giants December 11, 1939 30 June 10, 2024 February 2, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170202001034/http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1939/12/11/page/30/ live The day before the game, the 1940 NFL draft was held at Milwaukee's Schroeder Hotel. Scoring summary text-align:center; background:#eee Green Bay Packers 27, New York Giants 0 December 10, 1939 1:30 p.m. CSTStoney McGlynn, "Packers slight favorites to beat Giants," Milwaukee Sentinel, Dec. 10, 1939, p. 18. Giants 0 0 0 0 Packers 7 0 10 10 Pro-Football-Reference.com First quarter GB – Milt Gantenbein 7-yard pass from Arnie Herber (Paul Engebretsen kick). Packers 7–0 Second quarter no scoring Third quarter GB – Engebretsen 29-yard field goal. Packers 10–0 GB – Joe Laws 31-yard yard pass from Cecil Isbell (Engebretsen kick). Packers 17–0 Fourth quarter GB – Ernie Smith 42-yard field goal. Packers 20–0 GB – Eddie Jankowski 1-yard run (Smith kick). Packers 27–0 Statistics StatisticsNew York Green BayFirst downs710Yards gained rushing (net)56131Forward passes attempted2610Forward passes completed97Yards by forward passing9899Yards lost, attempted forward passes128Yards gained, run back of intercepted passes2739Punting average (from scrimmage)3238Total yards all kicks returned9835Opponents fumbles recovered00Yards lost by penalties2050 Source:https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pG9WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JuQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7045%2C3617689 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Associated Press Green Bay Packers grab pro football championship with great ease December 11, 1939 9 December 21, 2015 December 22, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151222174511/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pG9WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JuQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7045%2C3617689 live Officials Referee: Bill Halloran Umpire: Ed Cochrane Head linesman: Tom Thorp Field judge: Dan Tehan The NFL had only four game officials in 1939; the back judge was added in 1947, the line judge in 1965, and the side judge in 1978. Attendance and receipts The Packers moved the game from Green Bay to the larger metropolitan area of Milwaukee in hopes of increasing attendance. Ultimately, 32,379 paid to watch. At the time, this was the highest attended sporting event in the Milwaukee area.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SaBQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TCIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6219%2C4155766 Milwaukee Journal Kuechle Oliver E. 32,500 to see Packers play Giants for pro title December 10, 1939 1, sports December 21, 2015 December 22, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151222174034/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SaBQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TCIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6219%2C4155766 live The gross gate receipts of $83,510.35 set a new record. The title game tickets went on sale at noon on Monday, six days before the game, in both Green Bay and Milwaukee and were nearly sold out in the first 24 hours.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RKBQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TCIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6762%2C2869785 Milwaukee Journal Kuechle Oliver E. 30,000 seats practically sold out in one day for Packer game December 5, 1939 6, part 2 December 21, 2015 December 22, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151222143501/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RKBQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TCIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6762%2C2869785 live Face value prices ranged from $1.10 to $4.40 per seat, the equivalent of $22 to $87 in 2021.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ua4VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KA0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=4565%2C1001491 Milwaukee Sentinel Packer-Giant tickets go on sale; then swish, they're gone December 5, 1939 13 December 21, 2015 December 22, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151222164724/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ua4VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KA0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=4565%2C1001491 live Team shares The gate was distributed as follows: The Packers took $23,231.06, with their 33 players each receiving $703.97. The Giants took $15,487.37, with their 34 players each receiving $455.57. Source Team rosters Source:https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WUNQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KA0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=1897%2C1807732 Milwaukee Sentinel Packer and Giants team rosters December 10, 1939 2B December 21, 2015 December 22, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151222233440/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WUNQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KA0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=1897%2C1807732 live See also Giants–Packers rivalry References 2 External links Red Barber (narrator), "1939 NFL Championship: New York Giants vs Green Bay Packers," contemporary newsreel via YouTube.com, April 20, 2018. (Video.) 43.020 -88.012 type:event title Category:Green Bay Packers playoff games Category:NFL Championship games Category:New York Giants postseason Championship Game Category:American football competitions in Wisconsin NFL Championship Game NFL Championship Game Category:West Allis, Wisconsin