1963 NFL Championship Game

none November 2013 nflc 1963 File:1963ChampionshipGameProgram.jpg New York Giants 11–3 Allie Sherman NYG Chicago Bears 11–1–2 George Halas CHI Eastern Western 7 3 0 0 10 7 0 7 0 14 December 29, 1963 Wrigley Field Chicago, Illinois Giants: Wellington Mara (owner), Rosey Brown, Frank Gifford, Sam Huff, Hugh McElhenny, Andy Robustelli, Y. A. Tittle Bears: George Halas (owner, coach), Doug Atkins, Mike Ditka, Bill George, Stan Jones, George Allen (defensive coordinator) Larry Morris (Linebacker; Chicago) Norm Schachter 45,801 NBC Jack BrickhouseChris SchenkelGeorge Connor NBC Jim GibbonsPat Summerall USA 1 Wrigley Field 41.948 -87.656 Location in the United States bottom 5 280 thumb|Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois (photographed in 2022), the site of the 1963 NFL Championship Game The 1963 NFL Championship Game was the 31st annual championship game, played on December 29 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois.http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/12/29/page/34/article/bears-battle-giants-for-title-today Chicago Tribune Strickler George Bears battle Giants for title today December 29, 1963 1, section 2http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/12/30/page/37/ Chicago Tribune Strickler George Bears the champions! Win, 14-10 December 30, 1963 1, section 1 The game pitted the visiting New York Giants (11–3) of the Eastern Conference against the Chicago Bears (11–1–2) of the Western Conference.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fsZaAAAAIBAJ&pg=6087%2C4635895 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Sell Jack Bears stop Giants, win NFL title December 30, 1963 1, 18 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zcAbAAAAIBAJ&pg=7335%2C3493627 Pittsburgh Press Livingston Pat Bears open 'screen' door to title December 30, 1963 18https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T5ApAAAAIBAJ&pg=4654%2C4538674 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Associated Press Papa's polar Bears whittle Tittle; intercept five, win title 14-10 December 30, 1963 8https://www.si.com/vault/1964/01/06/608136/the-bears-upend-the-giants Sports Illustrated Maule Tex Tex Maule The Bears upend the Giants January 6, 1964 10 Originally, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle had asked Bears owner/coach George Halas to move the game to Soldier Field due to its higher seating capacity and lights, and the possibility the game could extend into multiple overtime periods; Wrigley Field did not have lights until 1988.Soldier Field had been the home field of the Chicago Cardinals in 1959, the team's final season before they relocated to St. Louis, and would become the home of the Bears in 1971. After Halas declined the request, Rozelle moved the game's starting time up to 12:05 p.m. CST for increased daylight,http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/12/29/page/34/article/bears-battle-giants-for-title-today Chicago Tribune Bears battle Giants for title today December 29, 1963 1, section 2 similar to the situation in 1960 at Franklin Field. The Championship Game was played in temperatures under 10 F.http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/12/30/page/1/article/arctic-air-puts-freeze-on-chicago-may-stay-on Chicago Tribune Arctic air puts freeze on Chicago; may stay on December 30, 1963 1, section 1 The Giants were in their third consecutive championship game and fifth in the last six seasons. They lost to the Baltimore Colts in 1958 and 1959, and the Green Bay Packers in 1961 and 1962. The Bears were in their first Championship Game since a loss to the Giants in 1956 at Yankee Stadium, and had last won in 1946, defeating the Giants at the Polo Grounds. This was the fifth and final NFL Championship Game at Wrigley Field, which hosted the first in 1933, as well as 1937, 1941, and 1943. The Bears won four, with the only loss in 1937. Tickets were $12.50, $10, and $6.http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/12/16/page/67/article/playoff-tickets Chicago Tribune Playoff tickets December 16, 1963 1, section 3http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/12/17/page/53/article/open-title-ticket-sale-at-9-monday Chicago Tribune Open title ticket sale at 9 Monday December 17, 1963 1, section 3 NBC paid the league $926,000 for the broadcast rights.http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/12/17/page/55/article/theater-tv-possible-for-title-game Chicago Tribune Theater TV possible for title game December 17, 1963 3, section 3http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/12/21/page/33/article/rozelle-sees-record-gross-for-playoff Chicago Tribune Rozelle sees record gross for playoff December 21, 1963 1, section 2 Background Bears-Giants rivalry This was the ninth meeting between teams from Chicago and New York City for a major professional sports championship. This previously occurred in three World Series (1917, 1932, 1938), and five previous NFL Championship games (1933, 1934, 1941, 1946, 1956).https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=chi&tm2=nyg&yr=all All Matchups, Chicago Bears vs. New York Giants Pro Football Reference March 4, 2026https://www.espn.com/mlb/worldseries/history/winners MLB World Series Winners ESPN March 4, 2026 The Giants, coached by Allie Sherman, 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 Bowlers Del Shofner and Frank Gifford. Wide receiver Shofner caught 64 passes for 1,181 yards and 9 touchdowns. Flanker Gifford had 42 receptions for 657 yards and 7 touchdowns. Formerly a star halfback, he had switched to the flanker position in 1962, having sat out the 1961 season following a devastating hit by linebacker Chuck Bednarik in November 1960. 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 fifth overall in the 14-team 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 corps 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 making 36 pass interceptions, 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 Professional Football Researchers Association- Pro Football History August 10, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20060723083116/http://www.footballresearch.com/articles/frpage.cfm?topic=champ63 July 23, 2006 dead Chicago's offense did not come close to the Giants' in terms of points scored or yards gained. The group only scored 301 points, ranking 10th out of the league's then-14 teams. The offense was led by quarterback Bill Wade, the first overall pick of 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 or tossing short passes to the ends or backs instead of risking giving up an interception. Wade threw almost as many passes as Tittle in 1963 - 356 vs. 367 - but Y.A. favored longer throws, as evidenced by 8.6 yards-per-attempt vs. Wade's 6.5. Wade's favorite targets were tight end Mike Ditka and wide receiver, Johnny Morris. The Giants entered the title game as slight favorites.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TpApAAAAIBAJ&pg=7006%2C4310614 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Hand Jack Jack Hand Associated Press Offensive Giants, defensive Bears in NFL finale December 29, 1963 1, sportshttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TlRYAAAAIBAJ&pg=1938%2C100461 The Bulletin Bend, Oregon UPI Halas, Bears trip Giants, 14-10, as Tittle suffers 5 interceptions, injuries December 30, 1963 6 Game summary thumb|Championship ring from the Bears' victory The Giants opened the scoring in the first quarter when Tittle led New York on a 41-yard drive 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, which was recovered by former Bear Erich Barnes.Coppock Chet http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-defeat-Giants-14-10-for-1963-championship/0ca6c209-c9c7-4289-9a13-daf99835eba6 Bears defeat Giants 14–10 for 1963 championship Chicago Bears December 27, 2013 December 27, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131229025823/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/Bears-defeat-Giants-14-10-for-1963-championship/0ca6c209-c9c7-4289-9a13-daf99835eba6 December 29, 2013 dead Later in the first period, Larry Morris hit Tittle's left knee with his helmet as the quarterback threw. The injured Tittle was much less effective for the rest of the game.The Chicago Bears Wins the 1963 NFL championship, Chicago Tribune, Larry Kart, retrieved May 24, 2013: "Grit, savvy and sheer brutality—those are classic Chicago traits, no matter the endeavor, and they brought the National Football League championship to Chicago on this date..." After Del Shofner failed to hang onto a Tittle pass in the end zone, Morris 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 sneak 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. The score remained 10–7 at halftime. Tittle came back in the third period, but needed cortisone, Novocaine, and heavy taping and bandaging to continue. For the rest of the game, he was forced to throw off his back foot (poor mechanics for a quarterback). An interception on another 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 held 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. Defensive coordinator George Allen was given the game ball due to his defense's spectacular play. Tittle was held to only 11 completions in 29 attempts, and the Bears' superior scouting and preparation were evidenced by their success defending against the Giants' screen passes. Although the young American Football League (AFL) 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 clock ticked to zero on the final play: "The Chicago Bears are world's champions of professional football!" It was both the Bears' and the city of Chicago's last championship until the Bears won Super Bowl XX in 1986 who were coached by Mike Ditka who was a tight end on the 1963 Bears team. Scoring summary text-align:center; background:#eee Chicago Bears 14, New York Giants 10 December 29, 1963 12:05 p.m. CST Giants Pro-Football-Reference 7 3 0 0 Bears 7 0 7 0 4 F, wind 11 mph on, wind chill -11 F, relative humidity 60% Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois First quarter NYG – Frank Gifford 14-yard pass from Y. A. Tittle (Don Chandler kick), 7:38. Giants 7–0 CHI – Bill Wade 2-yard yard run (Bob Jencks kick), :16. Tied 7–7 Second quarter NYG – Don Chandler 13-yard field goal, 9:49. Giants 10–7 Third quarter CHI – Bill Wade 1-yard run (Jencks kick), 2:12. Bears 14–10 Fourth quarter no scoring Top passers NYG – Y. A. Tittle – 11/29, 147 yards, 1 TD, 5 INT CHI – Bill Wade – 10/28, 138 yards Top rushers NYG – Joe Morrison – 18 rushes, 61 yards CHI – Ronnie Bull – 13 rushes, 42 yards Top receivers NYG – Aaron Thomas – 2 receptions, 46 yards CHI – Joe Marconi – 3 receptions, 64 yards Officials Referee: (56) Norm Schachter Umpire: (15) Ralph Morcroft Head linesman: (36) Dan Tehan Back judge: (47) Ralph Vandenberg Field judge: (21) Fred Swearingen 4em Alternate: Art McNally Alternate: Herman Rohrig Alternate: Jack Nix The NFL had five game officials in 1963; the line judge was added in 1965 and the side judge in 1978. Players' shares The gate receipts for the game were about $500,000 and the television money was $926,000. For the first time, the NFL tried a closed-circuit telecast in the local blackout area, with 26,000 viewing on large screens in four locations: McCormick Place, International Amphitheatre, Chicago Coliseum, and Chicago Stadium;http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/12/19/page/215/article/n-f-l-sets-up-theater-tv-title-game Chicago Tribune Rollow Cooper N.F.L. sets up theater TV title game December 19, 1963 1, section 3http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/12/30/page/41/article/26-000-warmly-approve-big-screen-telecast-in-three-chicago-arenas Chicago Tribune Rivera Thomas 26,000 warmly approve big screen telecast in three Chicago arenas December 30, 1963 5, section 3 tickets ranged from $4 to $7.50. Gross receipts were $1,493,954, with $35,402 from the closed-circuit telecast.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=93JQAAAAIBAJ&pg=6186%2C1714077 Milwaukee Sentinel UPI Each Bear got $5,899, NY $4,218 January 29, 1964 3, part 2 November 2024 InternetArchiveBot yes Each player on the winning Bears team received $5,899, while Giants players made $4,218 each.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fsZaAAAAIBAJ&pg=4887%2C4724218 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Associated Press Each Bear to receive about $6,000 December 30, 1963 18 Both were a record, each a slight increase over the previous year's championship game at Yankee Stadium, despite a significantly lower attendance due to the venue. See also 1963 NFL season 1963 American Football League Championship Game History of the NFL championship Bears–Giants rivalry References 2 External links Riger, Robert. Best Plays of the Year: 1963. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall. 1964. https://web.archive.org/web/20060901192238/http://www.cogsci.indiana.edu/farg/rehling/bears/1963.html https://web.archive.org/web/20060723083116/http://www.footballresearch.com/articles/frpage.cfm?topic=champ63 41.948 -87.656 type:event title Championship Game, 1963 Category:NFL Championship games Category:Chicago Bears postseason Category:New York Giants postseason NFL Championship Game Category:December 1963 sports events in the United States Category:1963 in Chicago Category:Events at Wrigley Field Category:American football competitions in Chicago