1963 Chicago Bears season

NFL team season August 2023 March 2026 Chicago Bears 1963 11–1–2 1st Western George Halas George Halas, Jr. George Halas Wrigley Field Won NFL Championship(vs. Giants) 14–10 Bears seasons The 1963 Chicago Bears season was their 44th regular season and 12th post-season appearance in the National Football League. The team finished with an 11–1–2 record (the best of the 4th and final Halas era) to gain their first Western Conference championship since 1956, and the berth to host the NFL Championship Game against the New York Giants (11–3–0).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 2https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TpApAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GOkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7006%2C4310614 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Hand Jack Associated Press Offensive Giants, defensive Bears in NFL finale December 29, 1963 1, sports In the regular season, Chicago defeated the rival Green Bay Packers (11–2–1) twice to deny them the opportunity to play for a third consecutive NFL title; the Packers had won the previous five meetings with Chicago.http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/09/16/page/67/article/bears-shatter-packers-invincibility Chicago Tribune Strickler George Bears shatter Packers' invincibility September 16, 1963 1, section 3http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/11/18/page/1/article/heres-how-bears-won Chicago Tribune Strickler George Here's how Bears won November 18, 1963 1, section 1 In the championship game on December 29, the Bears defeated the Giants, 14–10, at Wrigley Field for the club's eighth league title, their first since 1946 and the last under head coach and founder George Halas.http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/12/30/page/37/ Chicago Tribune Strickler George Bears the champions! Win, 14–10 December 30, 1963 1, section 1https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fsZaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OmwDAAAAIBAJ&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&sjid=_U4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7335%2C3493627 Pittsburgh Press Livingston Pat Bears open 'screen' door to title December 30, 1963 18https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T5ApAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GOkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4654%2C4538674 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Associated Press Papa's polar Bears whittle Tittle; intercept five, win title 14–10 December 30, 1963 8 This was the Bears' last playoff berth prior to the AFL–NFL merger, and their last NFL championship until 1985 and Super Bowl XX. The Bears' defense in 1963 was the third in history to lead the NFL in fewest rushing yards, fewest passing yards, and fewest total yards;The Best Show in Football: The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns, p. 294, Andy Piascik, Taylor Trade Publishing, 2007, 978-1-58979-360-6 the defense also allowed only 144 points, formerly an NFL record.http://www.chicagobears.com/multimedia/photo-gallery/Happy-Birthday-George-Halas/042c2e9c-a874-487b-abf5-624b5c732dd3 Happy Birthday George Halas Chicago Bears January 31, 2014 February 2, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140219232303/http://www.chicagobears.com/multimedia/photo-gallery/Happy-Birthday-George-Halas/042c2e9c-a874-487b-abf5-624b5c732dd3 2014-02-19 dead In 2007, ESPN.com ranked the 1963 Bears as the ninth-greatest defense in NFL history,The List: Best NFL defense of all-time, 2007 noting, "[i]n 1963, Bears defensive coach George Allen came up with a new zone defense against the pass, befuddling opponents. With Doug Atkins and Ed O'Bradovich pressuring opposing QBs from their defensive end slots, and Bill George and Larry Morris defending against short passes from the linebacker position, the Bears picked off 36 passes, and allowed just 10.3 points and 227 yards per game. The Bears went on to win the NFL championship, thanks to the Defense. In the title game against Y. A. Tittle and the Giants, who had the best offense in the NFL, Chicago's five picks were the key, as the Bears won 14–10. George Allen got the game ball." Offseason NFL draft 1963 NFL draft 1963 Chicago Bears 1 11 Dave Behrman C Michigan State Pick from trade with PIT 2 20 Steve Barnett T Oregon Pick from trade with DAL yes 2 25 Bob Jencks E Miami (OH) yes 3 38 Larry Glueck DB Villanova yes 4 49 Stan Sanders E Whittier Pick from trade with SF 4 52 Charley Mitchell HB Washington Pick from trade with PIT 6 80 John Johnson T Indiana Pick from trade with PIT yes 6 81 Dave Mathieson QB Washington State 7 94 Paul Underhill B Missouri 8 109 Dennis Harmon DB Southern Illinois 9 118 Monte Day T Fresno State Pick from trade with DAL 9 122 Dave Watson LB Georgia Tech 10 137 Ed Hoerster LB Notre Dame 11 150 James Tullis DB Florida A&M 12 165 Dick Drummond B George Washington 13 178 John Szumcyk B Trinity (CT) 14 193 Gordan Banks B Fisk 15 206 Bob Dentel C/LB Miami (FL) 16 221 Lowell Caylor DB Miami (OH) 17 234 John Sisk B Miami (FL) 18 249 Jeff Slabaugh E Indiana 19 262 Bob Yaksick DB Rutgers 20 277 John Gregory E Baldwin-Wallace Source:1963 Draft at Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2013-Dec-08. Personnel Coaches Head coach – George Halas Assistants – George Allen (Defensive Coordinator), Jim Dooley, Phil Handler, Luke Johnsos, Sid Luckman, Chuck MatherChicago Bears media guide. Retrieved 2015-Aug-23. Roster 1963 Chicago Bears 10 Rudy Bukich  9 Billy Wade 49 Charlie Bivins 29 Ronnie Bull 28 Willie Galimore 34 Joe Marconi 22 Billy Martin 46 Angelo Coia 84 Bo Farrington 47 Johnny Morris 89 Mike Ditka 73 Steve Barnett T 72 Jim Cadile G 60 Roger Davis G 67 Ted Karras G 70 Herman Lee T 50 Mike Pyle C 63 Bob Wetoska T 81 Doug Atkins DE 76 John Johnson DT 78 Stan Jones DT 74 Bob Kilcullen DE 87 Ed O'Bradovich DE 75 Fred Williams DT 65 Tom Bettis MLB 31 Joe Fortunato OLB 61 Bill George MLB 83 Roger LeClerc K/OLB 33 Larry Morris OLB 25 J. C. Caroline CB 43 Larry Glueck FS 26 Bennie McRae CB 17 Richie Petitbon SS 24 Rosey Taylor FS 23 Dave Whitsell CB 88 Bobby Joe Green P 80 Bob Jencks K 35 Rick Casares RB (IR) 7px 71 Earl Leggett DT (IR) 7px 64 Mike Rabold G (IR) 7px 48 Tommy Neck S (IR) 7px 82 Maury Youmans DE (IR) 7px Team photohttp://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/12/14/page/41/article/pros-open-week-end-of-decision-today Chicago Tribune Team photo December 14, 1963 1, section 2 Rosters - 1963 NFL title gamehttp://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/12/29/page/35/article/schalk-top-catcher Chicago Tribune TV numbers December 29, 1963 2, section 2 Preseason Schedule Week Date Time (white CT) Opponent Result Record Venue TV Attendance Recap 1 August 10, 1963 vs. New York Giants(at Ithaca, NY) W 17–7 1–0 South Hill Field 2 August 15, 1963 at Washington Redskins W 28–26 2–0 D.C. Stadium 3 August 24, 1963 7:55 p.m. vs. Green Bay Packers(at Milwaukee, WI) L 7–26 2–1 Milwaukee County Stadium WBBM-TV 44,592 4 August 31, 1963 St. Louis Cardinals L 3–7 2–2 Soldier Field 5 September 7, 1963 Baltimore Colts(at New Orleans, LA) W 14–7 3–2 Tulane Stadium Game summaries Week P3: (Saturday, August 24, 1963): vs. Green Bay Packers Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap 1 September 15, 1963 at Green Bay Packers W 10–3 1–0 City Stadium 42,327 2 September 22, 1963 at Minnesota Vikings W 28–7 2–0 Metropolitan Stadium 33,923 3 September 29 at Detroit Lions W 37–21 3–0 Tiger Stadium 55,400 4 October 6 Baltimore Colts W 10–3 4–0 Wrigley Field 48,998 5 October 13 at Los Angeles Rams W 52–14 5–0 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 40,476 6 October 20 at San Francisco 49ers L 14–20 5–1 Kezar Stadium 35,837 7 October 27 Philadelphia Eagles W 16–7 6–1 Wrigley Field 48,514 8 November 3 at Baltimore Colts W 17–7 7–1 Memorial Stadium 60,065 9 November 10 Los Angeles Rams W 6–0 8–1 Wrigley Field 48,312 10 November 17, 1963 Green Bay Packers W 26–7 9–1 Wrigley Field 49,166 11 November 24 at Pittsburgh Steelers T 17–17 9–1–1 Forbes Field 36,465 12 December 1, 1963 Minnesota Vikings T 17–17 9–1–2 Wrigley Field 47,249 13 December 8 San Francisco 49ers W 27–7 10–1–2 Wrigley Field 46,994 14 December 15 Detroit Lions W 24–14 11–1–2 Wrigley Field 45,317 Game summaries Week 1 (Sunday, September 15, 1963): at Green Bay Packers Chicago Bears 1963 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 1: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – Game summary September 15, 1963 1:00 p.m. CDT Bears (1–0) 3 0 7 0 Packers (0–1) 3 0 0 0 City Stadium • Green Bay, Wisconsin 42,327 54 F C, relative humidity 76%, wind 7 mph Art McNally CBS Pro Football Reference; Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers – September 15, 1963 Chicago Bears 2023 Media Guide Chicago Bears 375 right Chicago Bears CHI Green Bay Packers GB Bill Wade 18/24, 129 YDS, 1 INT Rick Casares 5 CAR, 27 YDS Ronnie Bull 6 REC, 48 YDS Bart Starr 11/22, 83 YDS, 4 INTs Jim Taylor 12 CAR, 53 YDS Ron Kramer 3 REC, 35 YDS CHI GB collapsed 1 Bears FG 32 Jencks 3 0 1 Packers FG 41 Kramer 3 3 3 Bears RushTD Marconi 1 good Jencks 10 3 10 3 Point spread: Bears +11 Time of game: BearsGame statisticsPackers15 First downs 935–107 Rushes–yards 21–77129 Passing yards 8318–24–1 Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions 11–22–41–5 Sacked–yards 1–10124 Net passing yards 73231 Total yards 15084 Return yards 1015–43.8 Punts Number–Average yardage 5–48.61–1 Fumbles–lost 1–15–50 Penalties–yards 6–58 Individual stats Bears Passing C/ATT1YdsTDINTSkYdsLG3RateWade18/2412901152269.6 Bears Rushing Car2YdsTDLG3Casares527013Wade826012Bull1223010Marconi92319Galimore1808 Bears ReceivingRec4YdsTDLG3Bull648022Marconi427016Casares41104Farrington115015Morris115015Ditka112012Galimore1101 Bears Kick ReturnsRetYdsY/RtTDLngMarconi11515.0015Casares11010/0010 Bears Punt ReturnsRetYdsY/RtTDLngTaylor2199.500Morris2126.000 Bears PuntingPntYdsY/PLngBlckGreen521943.8 Bears KickingXPM–XPAFGM–FGAMFGJencks1–11–2 Bears InterceptionsIntYdsTDLGPDPetitbon119019Taylor1505George1404Whitsell1000 Week 2 (Sunday, September 22, 1963): at Minnesota Vikings Chicago Bears 1963 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 2: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary September 22, 1963 1:30 p.m. CDT Bears (2–0) 7 7 0 14 Vikings (1–1) 0 7 0 0 Metropolitan Stadium • Bloomington, Minnesota 33,923 51 F C, relative humidity 78%, wind 9 mph Harry Brubaker CBS Pro Football Reference; Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings – September 22, 1963 Chicago Bears 2023 Media Guide Chicago Bears 375 right Chicago Bears CHI Minnesota Vikings MIN Bill Wade 23/32, 253 YDS, 3 TDs Ronnie Bull 14 CAR, 53 YDS Mike Ditka 8 REC, 124 YDS, 2 TDs Fran Tarkenton 13/22, 167 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INTs Tommy Mason 11 CAR, 60 YDS Ray Poage 5 REC, 67 YDS CHI MIN collapsed 1 Bears RecTD Bull Wade 24 good Jencks 7 0 2 Vikings RecTD Reichlow Tarkenton 24 good Cox 14 7 2 Bears RecTD Ditka Wade 36 good Jencks 14 7 4 Bears RushTD Wade 1 good Jencks 21 7 4 Bears RecTD Ditka Wade 10 good Jencks 28 7 28 7 Point spread: Bears –4 Time of game: BearsGame statisticsVikings24 First downs 2027–106 Rushes–yards 34–152253 Passing yards 19723–33–0 Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions 16–27–30–0 Sacked–yards 2–23253 Net passing yards 174359 Total yards 32634 Return yards 851–44.0 Punts Number–Average yardage 2–35.01–1 Fumbles–lost 4–28–75 Penalties–yards 5–55 Week 3 at Lions Chicago Bears 1963 2; text-align:center collapsed Week Three: Chicago Bears (2–0) at Detroit Lions (1–1) September 29, 1963 Bears 7 28 0 2 Lions 0 0 14 7 Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan 55,400 54 F C Box Score First quarter CHI – Angelo Coia 18-yard pass from Bill Wade (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 7–0. Second quarter CHI – Johnny Morris 16-yard pass from Bill Wade (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 14–0. CHI – Mike Ditka 13-yard pass from Bill Wade (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 21–0. CHI – Richie Petitbon 66-yard interception return (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 28–0. CHI – Bill Wade 1-yard run (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 35–0. Third quarter DET – Terry Barr 60-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Wayne Walker kick). Bears 35–7. DET – Gail Cogdill 67-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Wayne Walker kick). Bears 35–14. Fourth quarter CHI – Safety, Earl Morrall tackled by Doug Atkins in end zone. Bears 37–14. DET – Gail Cogdill 38-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Wayne Walker kick). Bears 37–21. Top passers CHI – Bill Wade – 18/34, 219 yards, 3 TD, INT DET – Earl Morrall – 8/21, 229 yards, 3 TD, INT Top rushers CHI – Joe Marconi – 9 rushes, 30 yards DET – Nick Pietrosante – 8 rushes, 12 yards Top receivers CHI – Johnny Morris – 6 receptions, 85 yards, TD DET – Gail Cogdill – 4 receptions, 119 yards, 2 TD Week 4 vs Colts Chicago Bears 1963 2; text-align:center collapsed Week Four: Baltimore Colts (1–2) at Chicago Bears (3–0) October 6, 1963 Colts 0 0 3 0 Bears 0 0 0 10 Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois 48,998 73 F C Box Score First quarter No scoring Second quarter No scoring Third quarter BAL – Jim Martin 16-yard field goal. Colts 3–0. Fourth quarter CHI – Ronnie Bull 44-yard pass from Rudy Bukich (Bob Jencks kick). Bears 7–3. CHI – Roger LeClerc 16-yard field goal. Bears 10–3. Top passers BAL – Johnny Unitas – 21/36, 182 yards, INT CHI – Rudy Bukich – 6/7, 112 yards, TD Top rushers BAL – J.W. Lockett – 10 rushes, 13 yards CHI – Rick Casares – 7 rushes, 54 yards Top receivers BAL – Tom Matte – 7 receptions, 56 yards CHI – Ronnie Bull – 2 receptions, 44 yards, TD Week 5 Bears 7 21 3 21 Rams 0 7 0 7 October 13 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 66 F; wind 9 mph yes Q1 CHI Ditka 13 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) CHI 7–0 Q2 CHI McRae 35 yard interception return (Jencks kick) CHI 14–0 Q2 LA Phillips 10 yard pass from Bratkowski (Villanueva kick) CHI 14–7 Q2 CHI Ditka 25 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) CHI 21–7 Q2 CHI Ditka 2 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) CHI 28–7 Q3 CHI LeClerc 31 yard field goal CHI 31–7 Q4 LA Bass 4 yard run (Villanueva kick) CHI 31–14 Q4 CHI Ditka 14 yard pass from Wade (Jencks kick) CHI 38–14 Q4 CHI Galimore 2 yard run (Jencks kick) CHI 45–14 Q4 CHI Farrington 17 yard pass from Bukich (Jencks kick) CHI 52–14 yes Mike Ditka 9 Rec, 110 Yds Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Dec-08. Week 6 Bears 0 7 0 7 49ers 10 7 3 0 October 20 Kezar Stadium Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17. Week 7 Eagles 0 7 0 0 Bears 10 0 6 0 October 27 Wrigley Field Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17. Week 8 Bears 7 0 7 3 Colts 0 0 7 0 November 3 Memorial Stadium Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17. Week 9 Rams 0 0 0 0 Bears 3 0 3 0 November 10 Wrigley Field Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17. Week 10 (Sunday, November 17, 1963): vs. Green Bay Packers Chicago Bears 1963 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 10: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears – Game summary November 17, 1963 1:00 p.m. CST Packers (8–2) 0 0 0 7 Bears (9–1) 13 0 3 10 Wrigley Field • Chicago, Illinois 49,166 62 F C, relative humidity 74%, wind 16 mph Tom Bell CBS Pro Football Reference; Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears – November 17, 1963 Chicago Bears 2023 Media Guide Chicago Bears 375 right Green Bay Packers GB Chicago Bears CHI John Roach 8/20, 92 YDS, 2 INTs Tom Moore 12 CAR, 50 YDS, 1 TD Max McGee 3 REC, 93 YDS Bill Wade 6/14, 92 YDS Willie Galimore 14 CAR, 79 YDS, 1 TD Mike Ditka 2 REC, 32 YDS GB CHI collapsed 1 Bears FG 29 LeClerc 0 3 1 Bears FG 46 LeClerc 0 6 1 Bears RushTD Galimore 27 good Jencks 0 13 3 Bears FG 19 LeClerc 0 16 4 Bears FG 35 LeClerc 0 19 4 Bears RushTD Wade 5 good Jencks 0 26 4 Packers RushTD Moore 11 good Kramer 7 26 7 26 Point spread: Bears +4 Time of game: PackersGame statisticsBears16 First downs 1920–71 Rushes–yards 57–248178 Passing yards 9211–30–5 Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions 6–14–02–17 Sacked–yards 3–23161 Net passing yards 69232 Total yards 317101 Return yards 635–38.8 Punts Number–Average yardage 3–47.02–2 Fumbles–lost 0–06–65 Penalties–yards 11–97 Individual stats Bears Passing C/ATT1YdsTDINTSkYdsLG3RateWade6/1492003232865.2 Bears Rushing Car2YdsTDLG3Galimore1479127Marconi145209Casares114407Bull430014Wade42813Bivins815010Bukich1202Coia1–20–2 Bears ReceivingRec4YdsTDLG3Ditka232016Coia226014Marconi128028Casares1606 Bears Kick ReturnsRetYdsY/RtTDLngPyle100.000 Bears PuntingPntYdsY/PLngBlckGreen314147.00 Bears KickingXPM–XPAFGM–FGAMFGLeClerc4–7Jencks2–2 Bears InterceptionsIntYdsTDLGPDTaylor2800McRae144044Petitbon111011Whitsell1000 Week 11 Bears 7 7 0 3 Steelers 0 14 0 3 November 24 Forbes Field Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17. Week 12 (Sunday, December 1, 1963): vs. Minnesota Vikings Chicago Bears 1963 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 12: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – Game summary December 1, 1963 1:00 p.m. CST Vikings (4–7–1) 3 14 0 0 Bears (9–1–2) 3 0 7 7 Wrigley Field • Chicago, Illinois 47,249 23 F C, relative humidity 72%, wind 10 mph, wind chill 13 F C Tony Skover CBS Pro Football Reference; Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears – December 1, 1963 Chicago Bears 2023 Media Guide Chicago Bears 375 right Minnesota Vikings MIN Chicago Bears CHI Ron Vander Kelen 5/9, 116 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT Tommy Mason 19, CAR, 53 YDS Gordon Smith 2 REC, 83 YDS, 1 TD Bill Wade 16/32, 164 YDS, 1 TD Ronnie Bull 14 CAR, 31 YDS Mike Ditka 5 REC, 76 YDS MIN CHI collapsed 1 Vikings FG 16 Cox 3 3 1 Bears FG 16 LeClerc 3 3 2 Vikings RushTD Wilson 2 good Cox 10 3 2 Vikings RecTD Smith Vander Kelen 53 good Cox 17 3 3 Bears RushTD Wade 1 good Jencks 17 10 4 Bears RecTD Marconi Wade 8 good Jencks 17 17 17 17 Point spread: Bears –13 Time of game: VikingsGame statisticsBears9 First downs 1538–116 Rushes–yards 33–67120 Passing yards 1646–13–1 Passes Completions–Attempts–Interceptions 16–32–04–34 Sacked–yards 1–1086 Net passing yards 154202 Total yards 221142 Return yards 934–15.7 Punts Number–Average yardage 7–52.44–3 Fumbles–lost 4–33–26 Penalties–yards 3–25 Week 13 49ers 0 7 0 0 Bears 14 0 7 6 December 8 Wrigley Field Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17. Week 14 Lions 0 7 0 0 Bears 3 0 14 7 December 15 Wrigley Field Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-Feb-17. Standings NFL Championship 1963 NFL Championship Game Giants 7 3 0 0 Bears 7 0 7 0 December 29 Wrigley Field 45,801 4 F; wind 11 mph Norm Schachter Jack Brickhouse, Chris Schenkel & George Connor NBC yes Q1 7:38 NYG Gifford 14 yard pass from Tittle (Chandler kick) NYG 7–0 Q1 0:16 CHI Wade 2 yard run (Jencks kick) Tie 7–7 Q2 9:49 NYG Chandler 13 yard field goal NYG 10–7 Q3 2:12 CHI Wade 1 yard run (Jencks kick) CHI 14–10 yes The Giants opened the scoring in the first quarter when quarterback Y. A. Tittle led New York on an 83-yard drive that was capped off by a 14-yard touchdown pass to Frank Gifford. The drive was set up by Bears quarterback Bill Wade's fumble deep in Giants territory, 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 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 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 re-injured 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. New York coach Allie Sherman even punted on third down, showing no confidence in backup Glynn Griffing. However, the score remained 10–7 at halftime. Tittle came back in the third period, but due to his injury, he was forced to throw off his back foot. An interception on a screen pass by the Bears' Ed O'Bradovich was brought deep into Giants 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. At the end of the game, defensive coordinator George Allen was given the game ball due to his defense's spectacular play. After the game the Bears received the traveling Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy for the first time since 1946, and for the fifth and final time throughout its existence.https://www.packers.com/news/mystery-of-the-ed-thorp-memorial-trophy-solved Mystery of the Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy solved Packers.com They also received an additional trophy Chicago's Mayor Richard M. Daley named after recently assassinated John F. Kennedy, which is still on display at Halas Hall.https://twitter.com/MicheleSteele/status/1169054853492072449 No Lombardi trophy in 1963 - no trophy at all for the NFL's champs in '63 (a trophy didn't exist.) So Chicago's Mayor Daley made one himself for the Bears, who beat the Giants in a noon game at Wrigley Field. Named trophy after recently assassinated JFK. #HalasHall X.com References Further reading Charles N. Billington, The 1963 Chicago Bears: George Halas and the Road to the NFL Championship. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 2023. Maury Youmans and Gary Youmans, '63 : the Story of the 1963 World Championship Chicago Bears. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 2004. External links 1963 Chicago Bears season, YouTube.com/ Category:Chicago Bears seasons Chicago Bears Category:NFL championship seasons Chicago Bears Category:1963 in Chicago