1964 NFL Championship Game

none November 2013 nflc 1964 641227-browns-colts-program.jpg 240 Official game program Baltimore Colts 12–2 BAL Cleveland Browns 10–3–1 CLE Don Shula Blanton Collier Western Eastern 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 10 27 December 27, 1964 Cleveland Municipal Stadium Cleveland, Ohio Colts: Don Shula (coach), Raymond Berry, John Mackey, Gino Marchetti, Lenny Moore, Jim Parker, Johnny Unitas Browns: Jim Brown, Lou Groza, Gene Hickerson, Leroy Kelly, Paul Warfield Baltimore by 7 points Gary Collins (Wide Receiver; Cleveland) CBS Ken ColemanChuck ThompsonFrank Gifford CBS Jack Drees Jim Morse 79,544 28.2 USA 1 Cleveland 41.506 -81.700 Location in the United States bottom 5 280 The 1964 NFL Championship Game was the 32nd annual championship game, held on December 27 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BFIaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lCcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7294%2C2555411 Milwaukee Journal Johnson Chuck Browns play best game of year, Colts their worst - result: 27-0 December 28, 1964 10, part 2https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rzhWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wOgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7488%2C3738033 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Associated Press Cleveland Browns blank Colts for NFL title December 28, 1964 7 With an attendance of 79,544,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XLZQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_eIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5652%2C5993581 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Cleveland wallops Baltimore, 27-0 December 28, 1964 1D Google News Archivehttps://www.si.com/vault/1965/01/04/607240/upset-of-the-mighty Sports Illustrated Maule Tex Tex Maule Upset of the mighty January 4, 1965 8 it was the first NFL title game to be televised by CBS. The game marked the last championship won by a major-league professional sports team from Cleveland until 2016, when the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA Finals. Through 2025, this is the Browns' most recent league title. The team had a replica Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy created for display in 2004.https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2013/11/cleveland_browns_recoup_1946_a.html Cleveland.com Cleveland Browns recoup 1946 AAFC championship trophy and it's getting the white-glove treatment November 16, 2013 Tom Reed Background The Baltimore Colts finished the 1964 regular season with a record of 12–2 and handily won the Western Conference for the first time since 1959, clinching the title with three games remaining;https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=A4BQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZBEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5897%2C4810040 Milwaukee Sentinel Associated Press Colts jar Rams, 24-7, to clinch Western title November 23, 1964 4, part 2 the runner-up Green Bay Packers were at 8–5–1. The Colts were led by second-year head coach Don Shula and quarterback Johnny Unitas. This was the Colts' third NFL championship game appearance since joining the National Football League in 1953, seeking to win their first since repeating in 1959. thumb|left|240px|Ticket for the 1964 NFL Championship Game. The Cleveland Browns finished the regular season with a record of 10–3–1,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KzlWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vegDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4756%2C4057414 Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington Associated Press Browns rout Giants; clinch Eastern title December 13, 1964 1, sports winning the Eastern Conference by a half game over the St. Louis Cardinals at 9–3–2.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1HFQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yhAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2205%2C2166659 Milwaukee Sentinel Pro football standings December 14, 1964 5, part 2 The Browns were led by second-year head coach Blanton Collier, quarterback Frank Ryan, running back Jim Brown, and receivers Gary Collins and rookie Paul Warfield. This was the Browns' eighth NFL championship game appearance since joining the NFL in 1950, but the first in seven years. Ticket prices for the championship game were six, eight, and ten dollars,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1HFQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yhAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3871%2C2173572 Milwaukee Sentinel UPI Browns taking 'title orders' December 14, 1964 6, part 2 and the Colts were seven-point favorites on the road.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=W7ZQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_eIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4983%2C5448999 Eugene Register-Guard Oregon Associated Press Moore, Unitas lead Colts December 27, 1964 4B Google News Archivehttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YwhPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UgEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4422%2C7724904 Toledo Blade Ohio Taylor Jim Colts seven-point favorites December 27, 1964 F1 Google News Archive Game summary The first half went scoreless, as both teams struggled to move the ball with a light snow and driving wind hampering their efforts. Baltimore drove to midfield but lost the ball on a fumble by fullback Jerry Hill. The Browns then moved to the Colt 35 but Paul Warfield slipped going for a Ryan pass and the ball was intercepted by Colt linebacker Don Shinnick. As the second quarter began, Baltimore had moved deep into Browns territory. The Colts attempted a 27-yard field goal by Lou Michaels, but holder Bobby Boyd had to reach for the snap from center and was hauled down behind the line of scrimmage. Near the end of the first half, Unitas got another drive going into Cleveland territory. However, from the Brown 46 he threw slightly behind tight end John Mackey, who could only deflect the pass; it was intercepted by Vince Costello. The scoreless first half ended after Ryan missed on a long pass to Warfield. Having held their own with Baltimore in the first half, the Browns changed their offensive and defensive tactics. With the wind at his back, Browns' kicker Lou Groza booted the second half kickoff well beyond the end zone. The Cleveland rush put pressure on Unitas and the Colts had to punt into the wind. With good field position at the Colt 48, the Browns got a first down on a screen pass to running back Jim Brown. The Colt defense stiffened and Groza kicked a field goal from the 43. Baltimore could not move and the Browns went on the attack again. From the Cleveland 36, Brown took a pitchout around the left side and nearly went all the way. Safety Jerry Logan finally hauled him down from behind at the Colt 18. Ryan dropped back and fired a pass between the goalposts to the leaping Gary Collins for the game's first touchdown and a 10–0 lead. The momentum had clearly swung to home underdog Cleveland. Baltimore's Tony Lorick made the bad decision to run the kickoff out of the end zone and was tackled at the Baltimore 11. A clipping penalty moved the Colts back further and they soon had to punt again into the stiff wind. The kick went out of bounds on the Baltimore 39 and Ryan went right back to work. The Browns lost yardage on a broken reverse play, but Ryan dropped back from the 42 and found Collins all alone down the middle at the five; the big flanker waltzed into the end zone and the Browns were up 17–0. Unitas finally got the Colts across midfield against the aroused Browns defense, but running back Lenny Moore fumbled a handoff at the Cleveland 47 and the Browns recovered. Brown rumbled 23 yards with another pitchout to the Colt 14 as the third quarter ended. Ryan hit Warfield at the one-yard line but the Colts then held. Groza hit a short field goal from a sharp angle to the right to make the score 20–0. Baltimore's troubles continued as Unitas threw deep to Jimmy Orr on the sidelines at the Cleveland 15, but Orr could not get the ball under control before he fell out of bounds, and they had to punt again. The Browns moved to their 49 and Ryan threw deep to Collins. With defensive back Boyd all over him, Collins made the catch at the Colt 10, kept his balance, and scored for the third time. As the fourth quarter wound down and with the Browns on the move again, the game was halted with 27 seconds remaining, as thousands of fans surged onto the field.Browns Upset Colts for N.F.L. Title, 27-0 http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1964/12/28/page/69/ The Chicago Tribune December 28, 1964 2016-11-15 The Browns dominated the statistics over the favored Colts. Unitas completed 12 of 20 passes for only 95 yards with two interceptions. The Colts managed only 92 yards rushing. Ryan hit on 11 of 18 tosses for 206 yards and three TDs. The Browns' Collins set a title game record with three touchdown catches in one game, and grabbed five passes for 130 yards total. Groza kicked field goals of 42 and 10 yards, and Brown carried the ball 27 times for 114 yards.Pro Football Reference Pro-Football-Reference.com https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196412270cle.htm 2016-11-15 thumb|Browns' championship ring Scoring summary text-align:center; background:#eee Cleveland Browns 27, Baltimore Colts 0 December 27, 1964 Colts 0 0 0 0 Browns 0 0 17 10 Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio 79,544 34 F, wind 15 mph on, wind chill 23 F, relative humidity 75% CBS Ken Coleman, Chuck Thompson, Frank Gifford 1:35 p.m. EST Pro-Football-Reference.com First quarter no scoring Second quarter no scoring Third quarter CLE – Lou Groza 43-yard field goal. Browns 3–0 CLE – Gary Collins 18-yard pass from Frank Ryan (Groza kick). Browns 10–0 CLE – Gary Collins 42-yard pass from Frank Ryan (Groza kick). Browns 17–0 Fourth quarter CLE – Lou Groza 9-yard field goal. Browns 20–0 CLE – Gary Collins 51-yard pass from Frank Ryan (Groza kick). Browns 27–0 Top passers BAL – Johnny Unitas – 12/20, 95 yards, 2 INT CLE – Frank Ryan – 11/18, 206 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT Top rushers BAL – Lenny Moore – 9 rushes, 40 yards CLE – Jim Brown – 27 rushes, 114 yards Top receivers BAL – Raymond Berry – 3 receptions, 38 yards CLE – Gary Collins – 5 receptions, 130 yards, 3 TD Officials Referee: (56) Norm Schachter Umpire: (57) Joe Connell Head linesman: (30) George Murphy Back judge: (25) Tom Kelleher Field judge: (16) Mike Lisetski 4em Alternate: (52) George Rennix Alternate: (29) Stan Javie The NFL had five game officials in 1964; the line judge was added in 1965 and the side judge in 1978. This was also the last NFL Championship Game televised in black-and-white, as well as the last game in which penalty flags in NFL games were white. The league switched to bright yellow flags the next season. Players' shares The gate receipts for the game were about $635,000 and the television money was $1.9 million.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=V3xfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3i8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5962%2C3742689 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Associated Press Pro football players await big payday from title game December 22, 1964 14 Google News Archive Each player on the winning Browns team received about $8,000, while Colts players made around $5,000 each.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=23FQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yhAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1111%2C3316004 Milwaukee Sentinel Associated Press Each member of NFL champs will get $8,000 December 22, 1964 2, part 2 June 2023 InternetArchiveBot yes https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BFIaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lCcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2040%2C2569420 Milwaukee Journal Associated Press Facts and figures December 28, 1964 13, part 2 This was about triple the amount for the players' shares in the AFL championship game.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EVtYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lfcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2629%2C6810496 Spokane Daily Chronicle Washington Associated Press Linebacker key in Buffalo win December 28, 1964 10 Google News Archive See also 1964 NFL season History of the NFL championship 1964 AFL Championship Game References 30em External links http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?/browns/more/history/19641227BROWNS.html Chuck Heaton Browns Capture Crown, 27–0 Cleveland Plain Dealer December 27, 1964 December 12, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20090901071459/http://www.cleveland.com/brownshistory/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fbrowns%2Fmore%2Fhistory%2F19641227BROWNS.html September 1, 2009 dead mdy-all 41.506 -81.700 type:event title Championship Game, 1964 1964 NFL Championship Game Category:Baltimore Colts postseason Category:Cleveland Browns postseason NFL Championship Game NFL Championship Game Category:1960s in Cleveland Category:American football competitions in Cleveland