PRESEASON: Green Bay Packers (5-0) 28, Washington Redskins 17
Saturday September 7th 1963 (at Cedar Rapids, IA)
GAME RECAP (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE)
(CEDAR RAPIDS, IA) - The Packers exploded for two long touchdowns enroute to a 28-17 non-league victory over the Washington Redskins in this transplanted game before 13,500 here Saturday night. It was Green Bay's fifth straight exhibition victory after the loss to the College All-Stars. Max McGee caught two touchdown passes - a 25-yarder from Bart Starr in the first quarter and an 80-yarder from John Roach in the fourth period. Elijah Pitts took a Pat Richter punt and zoomed 83 yards for a touchdown that gave Green Bay a 14-10 lead at the half. Tom Moore scored the other TD on a two yard plunge in the last quarter. Washington led twice, 10-7 in the second period and 17-14 going into the last quarter. The game, originally scheduled in Columbus, Ga., was a see-saw affair until the Pack broke away in the last quarter. Ron Kramer stayed out of action due to an infected throat and high temperature, and Marv Fleming
did most of the playing at tight end. George Izo hurled a 17-yard pass to Richter of Wisconsin fame for the Redskins' first TD. Norm Snead threw seven yards to Fred Dugan for the other. The Redskins had a slight edge in the yardage department, getting 387 total against the Pack's 246. The Redskins had 264 passing, Green Bay 215. The two clubs sparred around for the first 10 minutes before the Packers broke loose for a touchdown after Bob Khayat was short on a 46-yard field goal attempt. The Packers moved 81 yards in seven plays for a 7-0 lead with 1:40 left in the period. Starr hurled a 10-yard pass to McGee, Moore ran eight and Starr then hit McGee again for a 17-yard gain. Moore lashed wide around right end for 14 to the 32 and then Starr and Dowler worked an incompletion. After Taylor made seven on a draw play, McGee flew into the open on the three-yard line and took Starr's pass for a touchdown. Jerry Kramer converted. The Redskins got part of it back in a hurry after a 50-yard kickoff return by Dick James. Jim Cunningham raced 10 yards and then took a 10-yard pass from Izo to eat up most of the yardage. Herb Adderley tossed Leroy Jackson for an eight-yard loss and Khayat booted a 33-yard field goal with 2:22 gone in the second period. The Pack's No. 2 team came forth and on the first play John Sample intercepted John Roach's long pass intended for Dowler. The Redskins scored in 11 plays, plus a trade of 15-yard penalties. Izo's passes to Dugan, Richter and Cunningham set the ball on the 17 and then Izo hit Richter in the corner of the end zone for the TD. Long Pat stretched over Hank Gremminger to make the catch. Khayat's kick at 8:48 made it 10-7. Just before the half, Ed Holler, punting for the Pack, and Richter exchanged punts and Richter's led to six points. Pitts fumbled the ball on the 17, picked it up, evaded a pile of Redskins, reversed the field and outraced Richter at the 50 and finally Dale Hackbart at the five for the 83-yard TD run. J. Kramer made it 14-10 at the half. Despite an infected throat and high temperature, the Redskins regular quarterback, Norm Snead, started the second half but Herb Adderley intercepted his fourth pass, and the Packers went to work on the Redskin 48. And almost scored. Moore roared 11 yards around right end and then Taylor, on a draw up the middle, thrilled the crowd with a 33-yard run to the four. Despite a Redskin offside penalty, the Packers couldn't score. Starr fumbled on a handoff and Bob Pelligrini recovered on the 2. The Snead-Mitchell combo exploded at this point. Snead, deep in the end zone, dropped a floater into Mitchell's arms on the 50 and Gremminger dropped in his tracks. Then in quick order, Snead hit Mitchell on the seven and Dugan in the end zone for the TD. Khayat's kick put the Redskins back into the lead 17-14 at 8:41. This looked like one of those when Dave Robinson fumbled the kickoff and Willey Fagan recovered on the Packer 25. The Bays quickly forced a punt and the Packers promptly drove to a 21-17 lead with four seconds gone in the fourth period. The drive covered 80 yards in eight plays. Starr did this deed mostly with his passing. He threw to Moore for 9 and then Dowler for 11. After Taylor made five, Starr and Dowler worked a 47-yard gain to the Redskin 2. On the first play of the final period, Moore rammed off the left side and J. Kramer converted. The Redskins made a big bid with Snead throwing to Mitchell and Richter and James' running, but Gremminger intercepted Snead's pass in the end zone. Roach took over and, on third and five, hit McGee about 15 yards off to the right. The "Taxi" evaded Crabb and went the distance, escorted by Bob Jeter, completing an 80-yard TD play. J. Kramer's kick was good at 8:16 and it was 28-17. The Redskins got frisky again and Snead's 42-yard pass to James, but Henry Jordan ended that by recovering Snead's fumble on the Packer 27. Earl Gros fumbled it right back and Jim Steffen recovered, but on the last play, Adderley intercepted Snead's long throw to Frank Budd.
WASHINGTON - 0 10 7 0 - 17
GREEN BAY - 7 7 0 14 - 28
WASHINGTON GREEN BAY
First Downs 17 13
Rushing-Yards-TD 28-123-0 23-101-1
Att-Comp-Yd-TD-Int 35-18-262-2-3 17-9-226-1-1
Sack Yards Lost 75 0
Total Yards 310 327
Fumbles-lost 1-1 4-4
Turnovers 2 5
Yards penalized 37 35
SCORING
1st - GB - Max McGee, 25-yard pass from Bart Starr (Jerry Kramer kick) GREEN BAY 7-0
2nd - WASH - Bobby Khayat, 33-yard field goal GREEN BAY 7-3
2nd - WASH - Pat Richter, 17-yard pass from George Izo (Khayat kick) WASHINGTON 10-7
2nd - GB - Elijah Pitts, 83-yard punt return (J. Kramer kick) GREEN BAY 14-10
3rd - WASH - Fred Dugan, 7-yard pass from Norm Snead (Khayat kick) WASHINGTON 17-14
4th - GB - Tom Moore, 2-yard run (J. Kramer kick) GREEN BAY 21-17
4th - GB - McGee, 80-yard pass from John Roach (J. Kramer kick) GREEN BAY 28-17
RUSHING
GREEN BAY - Jim Taylor 6-53, Tom Moore 9-29 1 TD, Earl Gros 4-9, Elijah Pitts 3-6, Lew Carpenter 1-4
WASHINGTON - Dick James 8-47, Jim Cunningham 9-33, Norm Snead 2-23, Leroy Jackson 8-16, Billy Barnes 1-4
PASSING
GREEN BAY - Bart Starr 12-6-120 1 TD, John Roach 5-3-106 1 TD 1 INT
WASHINGTON - Norm Snead 16-8-178 1 TD 3 INT, George Izo 19-10-86 1 TD
RECEIVING
GREEN BAY - Max McGee 5-141 2 TD, Boyd Dowler 2-59, Bob Jeter 1-18, Tom Moore 1-9
WASHINGTON - Bobby Mitchell 4-105, Pat Richter 4-41 1 TD, Fred Dugan 3-26 1 TD, Jim Cunningham 3-23, Dick James 2-48
FOUR PACKER IMMORTALS ENSHRINED IN 'HALL'
SEPT 8 (Canton, OH - Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers are now proud owners of four permanent seats in the beautiful National Professional Hall of Fame. Green Bay's greatest football sons - Curly Lambeau, Don Hutson, Johnny Blood and Cal Hubbard - were enshrined along with 13 other immortals of pro football during elaborate ceremonies before 2,000 in Fawcett Stadium Saturday afternoon. This was called "Football's Greatest Weekend" and it was justly named in this city - affectionately known as pro football's old hometown - opened its heart with a massive two-hour parade and a marvelous display of welcome. The $600,000 shrine now lives on ready to embrace hundreds of other pro football stars of the past, present and future...forever. Green Bay's part in this tearful and throat-lumpish Saturday was immense and especially heart-warming since no other team had as many as four enshrinees. These four joined with George Halas, Red Grange, the late Tim Mara, Ernie Nevers, the late Pete Henry, Dutch Clark, the late Joe Carr, Mel Hein, Bronko Nagurski, the late Bert Bell, George P. Marshall, Sammy Baugh, and the famed Jim Thorpe, to form the "foundation" of the Hall of Fame. All of the living famers were present except Marshall who is seriously ill. Each inductee was officially presented with his bust during the ceremonies after which the acceptance on behalf of the NFL was made by Commissioner Pete Rozelle. The formal dedication speech was made by U.S. Sen. Frank L. Lausche, Ohio. Jim Crowley, a teammate of Curly's at East High and a Green Bay native, presented the Packers' founder and head coach for 30 years. Paul Kerr, president of the baseball Hall of Fame, did the honors for Hubbard. Dante Lavelli, the famed pass catcher of the Browns, made the presentation to Hutson, the game's greatest pass catcher. And for the Pack's winning touchdown, Justice Byron S. (Whizzer) White honored the colorful red-blooded Blood. Crowley said, "Curly gave to America its most colorful team - the Green Bay Packers, when he put together the big team in the little town in 1919. Even in retirement he breaks coaching records - most Hall of Famers coached, Hutson, Blood and Hubbard." Curly made his response short and sweet, "I am deeply grateful and very honored. Forty-one years ago, I came to Canton and got a franchise for $50. And the last time I head, the Packers were very much in the league." Kerr noted Hubbard's present position as chief of umpires in the American League and then recalled, via Steve Owen, that Cal "revolutionized defensive football by being the game's first roving linebacker. But they changed the rules to keep him from getting a running start and he had to stay in the line." Hubbard, a bull of a man, was shaken but admitted that "I'm in some pretty fast company today. I am proud and honored to be here. Thanks to everyone." Lavelli, a great favorite in this Browns' territory, said, "It took 20 years to catch up and actually see Don Hutson. Every good end is called another Don Hutson, and after he plays a few years, they rate him as good as Hutson. Then the years go by and Don is still up there - the greatest." Hutson answered in his own quiet way - "For me to fully appreciate this is to look at the first name on the list," he said referring to Jim Thorpe, adding, "I give my heartfelt thanks for this honor." Justice White noted that "John was a great player and a magnificent performer. He was at his best when the going was toughest and that's proof of a great football player." Blood was at his eloquent best - "When you stand in a place like this, you wonder, 'How did I get there.' You've got to have great luck and I had that kind of luck. But there is a lot more than luck. Some fine men took a chance and hired me - men like Ollie Haugsrud, Curly Lambeau and Art Rooney." In a surprising ending, Blood recited something from his favorite poet Kipling - "The tumult and the shouting dies, the captains and kings depart, still stands thine ancient sacrifice, a humble and contrite heart." Our fine friend from Chicago, Papa Bear Halas, was presented by David L. Lawrence, special assistant to President Kennedy, who said, "Welcome to the Hall of Fame, George Halas. It's yours as player, coach, founder. Come as you wish. We hail you as them all."
NAGURSKI RECALLS CLASH WITH HINKLE
SEPT 8 (Canton, OH - Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Pro football has been filled with classic crashed down through the years. And the oldtimers here are recalling 'em by the dozen and maybe stretching them a bit. One of the great collisions in Packer history was between the Packers' Clarke Hinkle and the one and only Bronko Nagurski. This was in the early 1930s in Green Bay. Bronko relived that crash and one other he had with Hinkle as the giant ex-Bear became one of the charter members of the National Professional Hall of Fame. "Hinkle had intercepted a pass and had a good head of steam as he ran down the sidelines. That was on my side and I also had my steam going," the Nag warmed up. Well, all I wanted do was knock him out of bounds but he came up to me with that forearm of his and hit me across the nose. I went back five yards and down. He must have bounced back another five yards but kept on going. My nose was flattened all over my face." The Big Crashed wiped his big mitt over his nose and smiled, "Yeah, it was all broken up." Nagurski hung up his head a moment and added, "That wasn't the only time he made a chump out of me." And Bronko was off again: "This was in Chicago. I think in 1937, and late in the game. A good hole opened up in the line and Hinkle came toward it. Little Eddie Michaels filled the hole and hit him low. I came across and was going to get him high. He hit us like a load of bricks. Michaels and I both
went flying back and Hinkle bounced back a good five yards and then came right back through that hole. He went on to a touchdown. That won the game. George Musso, our tackle, said, 'That's the first time anybody went by me three times.'" Don Hutson, told about the incident, drawled, "Yeah, I remember that play. I had the best seat in the house - flat on my back on the ground." Hinkle's feats are legendary in early Packer history and folks in Packerland always select Clarke over the Bronk for all-time fullback honors. Hinkle surely will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame here and no doubt many of you diehards feel Clarke should be in the charter group. It is hoped that Hinkle was somewhere in the crowd of thousands who watched the ceremonies Saturday. He lives only 60 miles from here - in Toronto, Ohio. The Packers are well represented in the "Hall" - Curly Lambeau, Don Hutson, Johnny Blood and Cal Hubbard. They will have many, many more - including Hinkle.
PACKERS READY FOR MORE FURIOUS CHAMPIONSHIP DEFENSE
SEPT 9 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers are ready to defend their title. Make no mistake about that. They went through the preseason campaign without excessive strain and still won five in a row after losing the opener to the All Stars. And, fortunately, they closed out the warmup drive with no serious injuries. If there's such a thing as being well rested in the business of pro football, the Packers are just that. Coach Vince Lombardi designed his exhibition program to bring the Bays along gradually - so that the team would not experience a possible dropdown in efficiency late in the league drive. This is especially important in 1963 since the opposition is expected to be even more furious - week after week - than in 1962. Lombardi substituted frequently during the preseason drive, with the result that the hard-pressed No. 1 offensive units got by with a life-preserving three game exhibition card. In fact, Lombardi noted after the 28-17 victory over the Redskins in Cedar Rapid Saturday night that the No. 1 starting units were never in for an entire game. Quarterback John Roach and various combinations of backs and linemen saw action in every game - as early as the second quarter. The Bays' Bart Starr-engineered offense of '62 was intact for all games except the last when Ron Kramer sat out due to the flu. Marv Fleming started at right end and changed off with Jan Barrett. Thus, it would seem that the Packers are ready to shift into a new speed for the upcoming 14-league card, opening with the Bears in City Stadium Sunday. The Redskins were going for the prestige that goes with beating Green Bay and it was no simple matter to win the battle and still keep the first-year soldiers happy. But the Packers broke out with 14 points in the final period - a 2-yard smash by Tom Moore and an 80-yard Roach-to-Max McGee, to win going away. Nobody did cartwheels over the victory and Lombardi termed it a "sloppy game." But the victory was appreciated by all hands, thank you! The Packers didn't set the Iowa corn on fire along the way since they committed four fumbles - two by Starr on exchanges on handoffs and one each by Dave Robinson and Earl Gros - and had one pass intercepted. The give-aways helped cut the Bays' offensive play total down to 40 which Lombardi termed a "new low for us." The Packers had 23 rushes and 17 passes, with Tom Moore carrying nine times and Jim Taylor only six. Elijah Pitts, who has no trouble with his hurt shoulder, ran three times, Gros four and Lew Carpenter one. The rush yardage was 131, the passing 215. Starr hit 6 of 12 for 120 and Roach 3 of 5 for 106. Green Bay came up with another "other kind" touchdown, making it one in each of the last two games. That would be Pitts' 83-yard return of a Pat Richter punt for a touchdown for a 14-10 lead in the second quarter. In the Giant game Labor Day night Herb Adderly ran 100 for a TD on a kickoff. And, speaking about Adderley, swift Herbie never had a workout like he did Saturday night as he covered the fleet Bobby Mitchell and finally the world's fastest human, Frank Budd. Mitchell does the 100 in about 9.4, but Budd has done it in 9 flat. Adderley wound up intercepting two passes, one off Budd in the final seconds, and Hank Gremminger grabbed one. Hank's steal was made in the end zone, and it ended a Redskin scoring threat from the Packer 14, with GB leading by a slim 21-17. The Packers came out of the game with nothing serious in the way of injuries, although Dave Hanner had an unusual look on his face. He was cut below the right eye and Dr. Gene Brusky put in six stitches. Hanner said he didn't know how it happened. Lombardi announced today that Gary Barnes has been traded to the Cowboys for a draft choice. Barnes came up with Green Bay in 1962 and played behind McGee. The Bay roster is now down to 39 players.
BEATING PACK TOP '63 BEAR AIM
SEPT 10 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Bear Week. There was a new Packer face on the local scene Monday. Wally Cruice, the Pack's chief scout, made it up from Milwaukee in the morning and promptly reported to the squad on his knowledge of the Bears. The team left out a whoop after he presented his blackboard talk. Cruice watched the Bears in three games and, among other things, gleaned this bit of information - at least for public consumption: "The Bears want to accomplish at least two things this year," Wally pointed out, "and they are making their ground game work and beating Green Bay." Anything else? "That's enough," Cruice said. The Packers also were scouted by the Bears - in fact, in every preseason game. Not missing a trick in the pressbox were Pete and George J. Halas of the George Halas clan and on occasion Bill Wightkin, the former Bear tackle. These scouts lead a sort of lonely life. They rarely get to see their own club play. They're always on the road, scouting the next foe...This is the day the Packers and the other 13 clubs must cut to the final limit of 37 players, which is one above the limit of the last few years. The departure of Gary Barnes in the trade with the Cowboys brought the roster down to 39. And it left fullback Earl Gros as the last of the 1962 rookies. Leaving earlier were Ron Gassert and Ed Blaine, both of whom were traded. Gassert went to the Rams and Blaine to the Eagles. Gassert has since left LA and may sit out this year...The Packers break camp today, leaving St. Norbert College after a nine-week stay. Most of the players have their families here and merely switched residences...This was the eight-column headline in the Newark, N.J., Evening News after the Packers beat the Giants Labor Day night: "Big Night for Giants, Led Packers at Half." Hy Goldberg's lead read: "When you play the champion Green Bay Packers, half a loaf is better than none, and for the Giants a half time lead is almost a moral victory against their permanent nemesis."...Quick question from big Marv Fleming, who started at tight end in place of the flu-stricken Ron Kramer in Cedar Rapids: "Were you surprised to see No. 81 out there?" Fleming was pleased as punch with the opportunity to start. His relief during the game was another rookie, Jan Barrett...Another rookie opened at right end on defense - Lionel Aldridge, who also started vs. the Giants. He may be the first rookie to start a league game in Coach Vince Lombardi's regime...The Bears reported from DeKalb, Ill., that they have added three men to their injury list following their 14-7 victory
over the Colts in New Orleans Saturday night. Defensive end Bob Kilcullen suffered a sprained ankle, halfback Charlie Bivins came up with a leg injury and linebacker Tom Bettis reinjured his elbow. These ailments were revealed after the Bears learned they had lost the service of halfback Billy Martin indefinitely because of a broken bone in his left leg. The Bears will drill at Northern Illinois University this week.
BULLETIN
SEPT 10 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers today placed first year men Tony Liscio and Ed Holler on waivers, reducing their roster to the NFL player limit of 37 for Sunday's season opener against the Chicago Bears. Liscio, defensive end from Tulas University, was the Packers' No. 3 draft choice, Holler, a linebacker from the University of South Carolina, their 14th pick.
NEW PACKER BLOOD IN EVERY POSITION BUT OFFENSIVE BACKFIELD
SEPT 11 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers have new blood in every spot but quarterback and running back. And half the pass receivers are new! This is by way of pinpointing the splash of youth added to the 1963 defending world champion Packers. The team's roster was set at 37 Tuesday when Coach Vince Lombardi placed defensive lineman Tony Liscio and linebacker Ed Holler on waivers. Eight new faces are on the squad that will launch Green Bay's 44th Packer season against the Bears in City Stadium Sunday. And six of them are rookies - offensive ends Marv Fleming and Jan Barrett, guard Dan Grimm, linebacker Dave Robinson, defensive end Lionel Aldridge and defensive halfback Chuck Morris. The other two have had pro experience, though one of them, pass catcher Bob Jeter, still is classified as a rookie in the NFL. Jeter played two seasons in Canada and was on the cab squad last year. The other experiencer is big Urban Henry, the former Ram who will work at tackle or end in the defensive line. Eight newcomers on a championship team? This is rare but it points up Lombardi's patented two-way look - at the present and in the future. Oddly enough, if the Packers had had a losing season last year, the addition of eight new players would have been called rebuilding. Eight members of the 1962 world champions have departed - offensive back Paul Hornung, offensive ends Gary Barnes and Gary Knafelc, defensive linemen Bill Quinlan and Ron Gassert, defensive back John Symank, linebacker Nelson Toburen and guard Ed Blaine. The most sweeping change has been at the pass catching spot (offensive end and right half), where Jeter, Fleming and Barrett join the Big Three - Max McGee, Boyd Dowler and Ron Kramer. The only other newcomers on offense is Dan Grimm, who becomes the third guard behind Fuzzy Thurston and Jerry Kramer. Grimm also does the kicking off. Defensively, the Packers have a rarity - a rookie starter. That would be Aldridge, who figures to open at right defensive end, the spot vacated by Quinlan. Robinson, the Bays' first draft choice, is the fourth linebacker behind Bill Forester, Dan Currie and Ray Nitschke and Morris is the sixth defensive halfback behind starters Hank Gremminger, Willie Wood, Herb Adderley and the holdover replacement, Howard Williams. Howard was placed on the active roster later in the '62 season - after Toburen was injured. The Packers have 21 players on offense and 16 on defense. Offensively, there are two quarterbacks, five running backs, six pass receivers and eight linemen. Defensively, there are six backs, four linebackers and six linemen. With six simon-pures on the roster, the Packers seemed to stay youthful. The average age of the club is 26.7 years and the average years of pro experience measures out to 5.1. The squad averages 6.19 feet tall and 226.8 pounds. The only difference in the offense and defense teams is in weight. The 21 offense players average 225.9 points, the 16 defensers 228. Otherwise, the averages are 6.19 feet, 26.7 (age) years, and 5.1 (experience) years...BRIEFS: The Packers have been permitted to carry Gary Kroner, the former Premontre and Wisconsin defense back and kicker, although not
feet, 26.7 (age) years, and 5.1 (experience) years...BRIEFS: The Packers have been permitted to carry Gary Kroner, the former Premontre and Wisconsin defense back and kicker, although not among the official 37. Kroner's status was made possible by the injury he received in the College All-America Bowl and at the moment he still is completely free from the injuries. The rule also applies to college players hurt in the College All Star game...It's catching: The Hank Gremmingers joined the Ray Nitschkes and Jess Whittentons in the adoption of children. The Gremmingers announced yesterday the adoption of a daughter, Kim, born Aug. 26. The Gremmingers also have a daughter of their own, Tina, 6 years...The Packers went on a league-game practice schedule Tuesday and the excitement and seriousness was automatic. The blue chips are at stake from now on. All hands, except Dave Hanner and Ron Kramer, are in good working order. Kramer still has a temperature and sore throat while Hanner has a broken thumb and a gashed face. Kramer will be well by Sunday and Hanner won't let his "ailments" bother him.
PACK, NORTON BOTH HAPPY HE'S HERE
SEPT 12 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers and Jerry Norton were mutually happy today. The veteran defensive halfback, who played five years with the Eagles, three with the Cardinals and one with the Cowboys, was obtained from Dallas yesterday by Coach Vince Lombardi for the price of one draft choice. Norton, looking forward to his 10th season, termed his trade this way: "It's great, just great. I've never been on a championship team before and maybe..." His voice trailed off, but the thought was there. Maybe he'll make it this time. "The highest I've ever been was second with the Eagles one year," he recalled. Norton says he's in good condition. "I dislocated a bone in my foot and hadn't played much during the exhibition season. I'm all right now." Norton hails from Dallas (he played at SMU) and two of his hometown buddies, Bill Forester and John Roach, showed him little old Green Bay after practice yesterday. The newcomer is in the flooring business in Dallas during the off season. Norton showed no signs of an injury in practice Wednesday and Horb Hecker, coach of the defensive backs, noted that "Jerry blended right in. Dallas uses a similar type defense and he had no trouble with our setup." Hecker said that "we're happy to have him. It gives us a lot of experience back there. We had no safety to back up Willie and Hank." Howard Williams, the other replacement, backs up the cornerbackers, Jess Whittenton and Herb Adderley. Norton has been a regular throughout his pro career. He intercepted 35 passes in his nine years, 26 in five years with the Eagles, seven with the Cardinals and two with the Cowboys. Jerry is also a punter but he hasn't punted much since '61. "We had Sam Baker (with the Cowboys) and he did all the punting and kicking last year," Norton said. Norton delivered 85 punts for the Cardinals in 1961 and still maintained an average of 44.7. He led the league in punting with an average of 45.6 on 39 punts in 1960. To make room for Norton, rookie Chuck Morris was placed on waivers. Thus, the Pack's rookie list was cut from six to five. The remaining rooks are Lionel Aldridge, Marv Fleming, Jan Barrett, Dan Grimm and Dave Robinson...The Packers were reminded (it really doesn't take any reminding) to "Beat the Bears" in two languages Wednesday as Lombardi led the Bays through a stiff workout in preparation for Sunday's league opener at City Stadium. There's a big sign in the dressing room which says - in English - "Beat the Bears". And at each locker was a book of matches on which was inscribed "Battiamo L' Orsi." This, fellow paisans, is Italian for "Beat the Bears." It seems that old Dad Braisher is up to his old tricks...Making his annual midweek visit to our town Wednesday was Dan Desmond, the Bears' publicity director, who made himself available to the various news outlets. Among other things, Desmond reported that the Bears now have two sets of co-captains. They are Mike Pyle and Mike Ditka on the offense and Larry Morris and Joe Fortunato on defense. In addition, Dan said that George Halas, the Bears' owner-coach, has "changed his approach. He has dropped that paternal approach and has become quite hard-nosed. He scrimmaged the veterans the first day in camp."
ONLY TWO ROOKIES TO START IN PACK-BEAR CLASH
SEPT 13 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Of the 44 starting players in the Packer-Bear opener Sunday, only two will be rookies. They are Steve Barnett of the Bears and the Pack's Lionel Aldridge. Barnett will lead off at right tackle, which means he'll be looking at Willie Davis and Dave Hanner. Aldridge will be at right defensive end and he'll have to get through or around Herman Lee, the Bears' left tackle who is a seven-year veteran. Barnett beat out Art Anderson, a three-year pro who was traded recently. Aldridge is in the spot vacated by Bill Quinlan, who was traded last winter. Oddly enough, the two simon-pures played college football in the same section of the country. Barnett played at the University of Oregon and Aldridge at Utah State. But Steve, a 255-pounder, hails from California; the 240-pound Aldridge from Pennsylvania...The Packers' new nylon tarpaulin at City Stadium was in use for the first time Thursday morning and later was taken up via the electrical rollers after the sun popped out...Willie Galimore can be a pain for any opponent and the Bears know it. When Willie carried four straight times in the victory over the Colts in New Orleans the other night, he was removed from the lineup. The entire Bear team was waiting for him on the sidelines and leading the team was Richie Petitbon. Galimore had gained 19 yards for an average of nearly 5 and looked good. Willie plays behind Ronnie Bull at left half and he gives the Bears a change-of-pace. Galimore is a fleet break-awayer, while Bull is more of the, er, bull-type...While he won't start, the Bears will have a rookie do their extra point, field goal kicking and kicking off.
That would be Bob Jencks, the Miami (O.) end who kicked two field goals against the Packers in the All-Star game, one of which produced the winning points. Behind him is kicker Roger LeClerc, the holdover kicker. Jencks plays right or left end behind John Farrington and Mike Ditka. Jencks is a big one - 6'5" and 227...Stan Jones is one of the Bears' most versatile linemen. He has been an all-NFL guard selection four times and played in seven pro bowl games - at guard. Jones will start Sunday on defense - at left tackle, in what amounts to a new career for the 250-pounder out of Maryland. Stan, starting his 10th season, was used a bit on defense last year but this year he's opening there. Behind Jones is big Fred Williams, the onetime teammate of Dave Hanner at Arkansas. Fred, like Dave, is starting his 12th season. Incidentally, Williams underwent knee surgery after last season and is now on the mend. He may break into a starter's role at any "moment."...The Packers have a Club Lombardi. The menu this week is topped with Filet of Bear Steak, au jus. The players have lunch two or three days a week after the late morning practices in the visitor's dressing room. Tables have been set up and the food is catered up from the Arena. The place is called Club Lombardi...The newest Packer, defensive halfback Jerry Norton, will wear No. 23. He'll back up Willie Wood and Hank Gremminger at safety...The Bears will fly into Austin Straubel in their charter about 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon and then put up at the Northland Hotel...Pete Dorschel of the city's Keep-Green Bay-clean committee has asked Green Bayites to cooperate at the game Sunday by not throwing wrappers of all kinds to the four winds. The residential sections around the stadium - on Monday - look like all the litterbugs in the state were let loose.
PACKER FANS WARNED: KEEP OFF THE GRASS
SEPT 13 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Please keep off the grass! Or you might wind up in court! That was the request and warning today of Police Chief Elmer Madson in response to complaints from property owners within several blocks of City Stadium that Packer fans are cutting through residential lots both before and after games to get to their cars on side streets. Madson said that the volume of complaints has risen in recent seasons and following the Labor Day exhibition game. Residents near the Stadium have been unable to stop the trespassing so they have turned to the police for help. Madson said officers would be on the watch for such trespassing during games this season, including Sunday's game. He warned that hose who do not comply with the no trespassing request will face police court action since the situation has reached a point where it cannot be ignored.
BAD NEWS FOR BEARS: KRAMER HALE AGAIN
SEPT 13 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Ron Kramer was a sick puppy over the weekend and up to a couple of days ago. He suited up for the victory over the Redskins in Cedar Rapids Saturday night but didn't play. The flu! He was happy and wide-eyed Thursday. "I feel good," he announced after the hard practice and that had to be good news for the Pack and bad news for the Bears who will visit City Stadium Sunday afternoon. Big Ron is more than a pass receiver at tight end. He's a sort of third tackle and a key blocker when the rush is on. Despite his three-fold duties, Mr. R.K. led the Packers in pass receiving during the five-game preseason vs. pro opposition. And, it might be corrected, Kramer did his work in four games. The Big Oak, who ranked behind rangers Max McGee and Boyd Dowler in pass catching the past two league seasons, caught 15 passes in the '63 warmups - one vs. the Steelers, five on the Cowboys, six on the Bears and three on the Giants. He stretches his catches to 164 yards. Dowler nailed 12 for 191 yards and McGee 11 for 138. Kramer's big rival for closed-end all-pro honors, Mike Ditka of the Bears, settled for six catches during their five preseason games. Ditka usually leads the Bears in pass receiving but Dan Desmond, the Chicago publicity director, explained that "we didn't throw much to him in the preseason and besides we were putting more emphasis on running with the ball." John Farrington led the Bears with 16 pass catches for 255 yards and four touchdowns, while Johnny Morris, the flanker, caught 12 for 213 yards. Ron Bull caught eight for 78.
LIFE CAN BEGIN ANEW FOR BEARS
SEPT 14 (Chicago) - NFL high life can begin anew for the Chicago Bears this season; their 17th since last winning the league title. If it does, it may be due to a top-level reorganization of the one-time Monsters of the Midway by George Halas, as dynamic at 68 as any football coach at college or pro level. The big chance is a couple of "S's" - Stydahar for Shaughnessy - plus a one-for-all mandate. Little has been said of Halas' renovation of perhaps the deepest entrenched staff in the National League - one that even the loyalty-stepped Halas conceded had reached a prima donna-ish impasse. At that, a staff tug-o-war - "our offensive and defensive units were talking a different language," admits Halas, an NFL founding father - resolved itself more by the walkout last fall of a man Halas still reveres, Clark Shaughnessy, than by any Papa Bear hatchet stroke. That the grizzled Shaughnessy is one of football's greatest and most dedicated minds did not prevent a friction, perhaps more a cleavage, on concepts of improvisation so vital in Sunday-to-Sunday NFL play. Shaughnessy suddenly left during last season, objecting to challenge by his defensive aide, youthful George Allen, backed by Halas, of his persistence in use of man-to-man defense and constantly red-dogging linebackers. Halas is a businessman impressed with statistics as well as the devoted service of his keenly loyal aides. George was unhappy with his 1962 Bears' 9-5 record, but singularly proud that the club, playing Allen's secondary zone defense, led the NFL in stifling enemy passes to a 46.8 completion percentage. The 1963 staff has two new members - Joe Stydahar, a big, friendly ex-Bear who was All-NFL tackle four times, and recent Bear wingman, Jim Dooley. They join Allen, Chuck Mather and "old guard" stalwarts, Luke Johnsos and Phil Handler. It was no secret that behind-the-scenes bickering in recent seasons stemmed much from the rivalry between Shaughnessy's defensive unit and the offensive unit of Johnsos and Handler. The staff laboring on the Bears at their Rensselaer, Ind., base has the definite understanding that Halas wanted desperately to coach the Bears to their first NFL crown since 1946, or at least their first divisional title since 1956. There is no room for coaching jealousies or staff grumbling. "Rather than individual department heads," Halas explains pointedly, "my assistants will be coaches with certain areas of responsibility. The overall squad progress, not unit rivalry, is the unswerving goal." Allen, also still head scout after bagging two successive NFL rookies of the year, end Mike Ditka and halfback Ron Bull, has the title of first defensive assistant, concentrating on the backs and linebackers. Stydahar, who directed the Los Angeles Rams to the 1951 NFL title and coached the Chicago Cardinals in 1953-54, is defensive line coach. A hard-nosed old pro, Stydahar could cuff the Bear forwards into sharper attention than last year when rival runners
averaged 4.7 yards. Johnsos is first assistant offensive coach with Handler in charge of the offensive line. Mather has the offensive backs and Dooley the ends. Halas, who prances on NFL sidelines as though a rookie coach instead of a veteran of 44 pro seasons, made one other important offseason moves. He made his NFL-wise son, George Mugs Jr., 38, president and general manager, replacing himself in both capacities. George St. still is chairman of the Bear board as well as head coach, and - of course - club owner. Also, Paddy Driscoll, 23-year coaching staff member, was named a vice president and "research director" - concentrating on game films and charts. "Even in these few months of preparing for the 1963 season," said Papa Bear, "it has been a tremendous list having Mugs running the front office while I concentrate on coaching. Paperwork and business decisions can wear you to a frazzle as much as concentrating on the field."
A TEETH-CLENCHING SEASON
SEPT 14 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Packers face a teeth-clenching season. Teeth-clenching? It could be called "tough," "murderous," "exhausting" but Vince Lombardi, himself, inspired the teeth-grit bit when he was caught in the above scene during the Packer-Giant non-league Bishop's Charites game in City Stadium Sept. 3. The Packers are established world's pro football champions. They are good. They proved it twice. But now they want to prove it a third time. History says nobody has done it a third time. The Packers want to defy history and their opposition. Eight teams have been given the opportunity of testing Green Bay this season - the six foes in the Western Division and the Steelers and Cardinals of the Eastern. A ninth would be the championship opponent, assuming the Pack makes it! Each of the eight teams have circled their "dates" with the Packers - you can bet on that. Each is planning special receptions for the Lombardimen. There will be no let up for the Packers. Each Sunday, they'll find a keyed-up, wild-eyed enemy. Lombardi and his staffmen - Phil Bengtson, Norb Hecker, Bill Austin, Red Cochran and Tom Fears - are aware of the opposition's great desire to "Beat Green Bay." The team was brought along slowly, gradually during the preseason preparation program and constant substituting in the six exhibitions produced a sort of "restful" pre-league campaign. Lombardi has had his defending champions fresh and raring to face the obstacles ahead. The 1963 Packers have eight new faces, including five rookies - Lionel Aldridge, Marv Fleming, Jan Barrett, Dave Robinson and Dan Grimm. There are three others who had previous pro experience - Bob Jeter, former Canadian gridder who was on the Pack's cab squad last year; Urban Henry, the former Ram; and Jerry Norton, late of the Cowboys. Two members of the starting offense and defense teams of the past two years have left - Paul Hornung and Bill Quinlan. Hornung's left half spot will be filled by Tom Moore, who started for Paul considerably in the past two years, and Aldridge is ticketed to open in Quinlan's slot at defensive end. The rest of the cast is, as Elroy Hirsch always said, a year older and a step faster. The 1963 crew seems to have lost none of its previous desire, spirit, willingness to sock or whatever you wish to call it. If anything, the present team is more intense on its mission because the prize is bigger: A third straight world championship! A chance to make history! While the Packers face what amounts to 14 "given Sundays," making all of their opponents a possible beater of GB, the Pack's major foes in the West would seem to be the Lions, Colts and Bears. The Lions finished second to GB in each of the last three years and they are fighting a runner-up complex. The Packers and Lions split their last six games and Detroit expects to prove this year that they can unseat Green Bay. The Colts have Johnny Unitas and that should be enough. Baltimore gave the Pack two tough battles last year and, if Unitas gets some fullback and tight end help, watch out. The Colts have a new coach who led the club to four wins in five exhibitions. The Bears could be on the edge of championshipness. They are the Packers' traditional opponent, and, as the old saying goes, anything can happen in a Bear-Packer game - and usually does. There are two examples: The Packers were underdogs in the 1959 opener - Lombardi's first game, but the Bays came through with a 9-6 victory in a tremendous game. One year later, the Packers had a 14-0 lead going into the fourth quarter and the Bears won in the final seconds 17-14. And that brings us up to Sunday, Sept. 15, when the Packers and Bears play their 90th game in a bitter series that started in 1921. This is the beginning of the teeth-clenching!
SIX IN ROW? PACKERS NEAR P-B RECORD
SEPT 14 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - Not too many years ago, the Packers hopefully clambered aboard a Chicago-bound train on a crisp November Saturday morning with the road, "Beat the Bears," resounding in their ears. As even some teenagers will vividly remember, this was a familiar cry during the Pack's long and dreary 11-year "depression," when the hometown heroes annually were cheered on to the Windy City with a civic "pep rally," complete with yells and reverberating rockets, as they entrained from the historic Chicago & North Western Depot. Such has been the depth of feeling in Packerland about the Monsters of the Midway, the Bays' archrivals and chief tormentors since they first ventured into the NFL back in 1921. It should be noted, too, that the Bruins were the only Packer enemy to be accorded such special "treatment." No other foe in 44 years of gridiron strife has merited a pregame public demonstration, of any proportions. During that black period, which endured from 1948 through 1958, the home forces won only four and tied one of 22 meetings with George Halas' marauding minions, a condition which triggered the pep rallies, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce "Minute Men." Happily, time have changed. The rallies, born of pain but recalled now with nostalgia, are but a dimming and poignant memory. They are no longer needed, the Packer faithful gratefully acknowledge. In fact, the shoe now is on the other foot - and beginning to pinch ever so slightly, a situation which the Pack's hungry adherents assuredly never envisioned, not even in their wildest flights of fancy. Since the advent of Vince Lombardi, the Bays have dispatched the Bears in six of eight encounters, the last five times in succession, a delightful achievement which has few parallels in the colorful history of pro football's greatest rivalry. Neither of these immemorial antagonists had held the upper hand so completely in their long-standing feud since the Packers plunged into their near-fatal eclipse in the late '40s. Forging a 20-17 victory in their 1947 rematch as a last-minute field goal attempt by the Pack's Ward Cuff veered to the right of the uprights, the Bears launched a five-game streak of their own which extended through the 1949 season. The burly Bruins romped 45-7 in their 1948 inaugural at old City Stadium, then barely fended off a vengeful Pack in Wrigley Field, 7-6, as a "cold" Ed Cody came off the bench to miss a game-tying extra point. Continuing to assert their superiority, the Monsters decisioned the Pack 17-0 and 24-3 in 1949, the hectic final year of Curly Lambeau's 30-year reign. The home forces finally broke the spell in their first 1950 encounter, scuttling the Halasmen 31-21 under their new coach, Gene Ronzani...PACK STREAK LONGER: Curiously enough, since the Bears hold a 50-32 edge in the overall record (there also have been six ties), the Packers own the longest winning streak in the series, a seven-game skein born as the Bays burst into national prominence in 1928. Held to a 12-12 tie in their first '28 meeting, the imminent NFL champions followed with 16-6 and 6-0 conquests in two subsequent counters. Then, in 1929, they swept three more decisions from the Chicagoans en route to their first world title. To add insult to injury, all three were shutouts - by 23-0, 14-0 and 25-0, a feat unmatched
before or since. The burgeoning Packers, who were to become the first and only triple champions in league history (1929-30-31), tacked on two more victories in 1930 before the Bears could call a halt. After Verne Lewellen, Jug Earp, Mike Michalske, et al, ground out 7-0 and 13-12 decisions, the Bruins scored a 21-0 breakthrough in their '30 finale...BEARS START STRING: Halas and Friends also were soon to embark on their longest string of successes in the now bitter rivalry. Beginning with a 9-0 mod in their last 1932 collision, the Bears reeled off six straight victories, adding 14-7, 10-7 and 7-6 decisions in '33 and 24-10 and 27-14 triumphs in 1934. The Packers reversed this trend, in spades, in 1935 on the wings of Don Huston's memorable pro debut, blanking the Bears 7-0 in their season inaugural on an 80-yard aerial bomb as the now legendary Herber-to-Hutson combine was born, then storming from behind to squeeze out a 17-14 victory in their Chicago rematch as the same pair collaborated for two lightning-like touchdowns in the last three minutes. Coincidentally, that was the last Packer season sweep over their ancient enemies until the advent of the Lombardi era, which has seen the reigning NFL champions turn this formidable trick in each of the last two years. The Pack's current five-game streak was initiated, however, in its 1960 finale with the Bruins, a rousing 41-13 conquest that marked Green Bay's first victory in Wrigley Field since Fred Cone went on a 20-point rampage to spark a 41-28 upset in 1952. There was no way of knowing it then, but that delightful day was a harbinger of things to come. Hurdling the Bears twice en route to their first NFL title in 17 years, the 1961 Pack humbled the Bruins 24-0 at City Stadium and weathered a late Bear comeback to squeeze out a 31-28 nod in their second imbroglio. Then came a pair of '62 developments which dazzled even the most optimistic Packer fanatics. The Pack annihilated the Monsters on Green Bay turf, 49-0, thus forging the biggest victory margin in series history, and followed that "spectacular" with an equally electrifying 38-7 romp in Chicago. All of which brings us to the present - and Sunday's 89th P-B collision at City Stadium. And the burning question: Do we hear six?
PACK FACES BROODING BEARS IN 90TH CLASH TODAY
SEPT 15 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - The Bears haven't scored a point in City Stadium since 1960. They are due to explode. The Packers blanked the Bruins 24-0 in 1961 and 49-0 in 1962 on Green Bay soil. That's a little fantastic since the Bears and Packers are ancient rivals and go after each other with great gusto. The Packers and Bears meet in City Stadium today for the 90th time since 1921 and the defending world champion Green Bays are solid favorites to get off with a victory. Kickoff is set for 1:06 before a capacity crowd of 42,312. But, if you'll pardon the broken record, the Packer-Bear series is fraught with upsets and unbelievables of all sorts. The Packers weren't supposed to beat the Bears in 1959 when Coach Vince Lombardi made his debut, but Green Bay eked out the decision in a great game, 9-6. One year later, the Packers figured to win and had a 14-0 lead going into the last quarter. The Bears piled up two quick touchdowns and kicked a field goal in the final seconds to win 17-14. In eight Bear league games under Lombardi the Packers won six and lost two and outscored the George Halasmen 237 to 85. Green Bay has a five-game league victory string going over Chicago - everything since that '60 opener. Thus, the Packers have the victory momentum, maybe the "sign" on the Bears. But anything can happen in a Bear-Packer game - and usually does. The Packers play their first Hornung-less opener since 1957 when Paul was a rookie fresh out of Notre Dame. Also missing from the starting cast of the 1962 champions is Bill Quinlan, the rough and ready defensive right end. Tom Moore has handled Hornung's position, as he did quite a bit in the last two seasons, with great success during the
preseason campaign. And a fine-looking rookie, Lionel Aldridge, has done exceptionally well, especially on his pass rush, in Quinlan's spot. The other 20 starters are the same - Bart Starr, Jim Taylor, Boyd Dowler, Max McGee, Forrest Gregg, Bob Skoronski, Norm Masters, Ron Kramer, Fuzzy Thurston, Jerry Kramer and Capt. Jim Ringo on offense and Willie Davis, Dave Hanner, Hank Jordan, Capt. Bill Forester, Ray Nitschke, Dan Currie, Jess Whittenton, Herb Adderley, Willie Wood and Hank Gremminger on the defense. These players and a good bench came in with the highest scoring offense and the tightest defense in the league last year - not to mention the western and world titles. This is a new year with all of its new problems. And the Bears rate as a new problem. Halas has streamlined his coaching staff and the club's offense and defense thinking has been changed. The Bears, with Bill Wade at quarterback, has the big back offense, with Rick Casares, Ron Bull and three good receivers in John Farrington, Mike Ditka and Johnny Morris. Defensively, the Bears will base their hopes on a good pass rush. The Bruins' patented toughness on defense undoubtedly will be very noticeable...The Packers will wear new and lighter weight pants and jerseys today...No rain is expected barring a late change in the forecast and the temperature could get into the upper 70s...Wilner Burke, starting his 25th year as director of the Packer Band, will be honored for his long service in a brief ceremony between halves. Packer President Dominic Olejniczak will present him with a plaque...The Packer Band and the club's Golden Girls also will have new uniforms. The band outfits are basically grey and dark green. The Girls' outfits feature gold, of course.
BETTIS GETS '65' BACK FOR LOCAL DEBUT AS BEAR
SEPT 15 (Green Bay Press-Gazette) - If Tom Bettis should look particularly familiar in Bear silks when the Bruins take to the City Stadium turf against the Packers for the 90th time this afternoon, there'll be a good reason. Bettis, who toiled in Green Bay toggery for seven seasons before being traded to Pittsburgh a year ago, and subsequently to the Bears, will be wearing his old Packer number, 65. This development came about quite by chance, Bear Publicist Dan Desmond reports. When Bettis joined the Midway Monsters in July, tackle Stan Fanning was wearing 65, so Tom had to be content with 62. Fanning was dispatched to the Los Angeles Rams on waivers last week, however, and Bettis immediately requested - and was awarded - his old number.
(CEDAR RAPIDS, IA GAZETTE - October 5th 2014) - A group of businessmen formed the West Side Civic Club in May 1959 as a way to promote Cedar Rapids' west side. The club applied to the Iowa secretary of state for a charter as a corporation and went from a pre-charter membership of 125 to over 500 members by September. In December, the club hatched an idea for a Canadian football exhibition at Kingston Stadium, a Cedar Rapids Community School District facility. The proposal was presented to the school board for approval. Even though a date had not been chosen, the use of the stadium - for a $500 fee and another $200 to cover costs - was authorized. It was understood that a third of the game's profits would be turned over to Cedar Rapids schools. Nearly a dozen former Hawkeyes were playing in the Canadian pro football league in 1960 when the West Side Civic Club signed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the British Columbia Lions of Vancouver to play July 29 at Kingston Stadium. It was Iowa's first chance to see the 12-man Canadian game. The game pitted two former Iowa quarterbacks against each other. Winnipeg's Kenny Ploen led Iowa to the Big Ten title in 1956 and a Rose Bowl win. Vancouver's Randy Duncan led the Hawkeyes to another title and Rose Bowl win two years later. Also playing for Winnipeg were Hawkeyes Frank Gilliam, all-Big Ten end in 1956; Frank Rigney, tackle in 1957; and Curt Merz, All-American end in 1958. Vancouver's roster included Willie Fleming, all-Big Ten halfback in 1958; Hugh Drake, star guard on two Rose Bowl teams; Mitch Ogiego, Duncan's understudy in 1958; and three members of the 1959 team, halfback Bob Jeter, fullback Don Horn and end Don Norton. Mike Swords, chairman of the civic club's sports committee, and Craig Schwab took tape measures out to Kingston. They counted 29 rows in the east and west stands and exactly 15,286 seats. A dozen or so were too close to the pressbox to provide a clear view of the field. Swords and co-chairman Tom Condon made arrangements with Boy Scout troops to stencil numbers on the seats so they could be reserved when tickets went on sale. The Canadian teams were guaranteed a total of $37,500. With the addition of taxes and other game expenses, the civic club needed a sellout to cover all the costs. By Jan. 22, a third of the tickets had been sold, with orders for nearly 700 more arriving in the mail. The civic club also sold advance copies of the game's program so fans could read up on Canadian football rules. When the teams took the field July 29, 12,000 seats had been sold. A huge searchlight shone on the U.S. and Canadian flags as they were raised during the playing of both national anthems. Cheerleaders from Washington and Jefferson high schools waved their poms in front of fans, and the Cedar Rapids Drum and Bugle Corps performed at half-time. The game, in which British Columbia lost to Winnipeg, 13-7, was attended by Gov. Herschel Loveless and the premiers of British Columbia and Manitoba. 'A number of local organizations have thought about promoting this type of sports event for Cedar Rapids, but the West Side was the first group to make the grade last year when it brought the Canadian pro game here,” wrote Gazette sports editor Gus Schrader in June 1961. 'Now they have the Bears and the new Minnesota Vikings lined up for Sept. 2, and it is an exciting prospect.” The official contract for the NFL preseason game was signed July 19 by representatives of the two NFL teams, West Side Civic Club sports committee chairman Ben Trickey and club chairman Tom Condon. The Bears, owned and coached by George Halas, had won seven world championships. The Vikings, newest member of the 14-team NFL, had yet to play an official NFL season game. The Kingston game was the fifth in a six-game preseason schedule. Minnesota General Manager Bert Rose expected many Twin Cities fans to attend the Kingston game. The Vikings coach that year was Norm Van Brocklin, who led the Philadelphia Eagles to the NFL championship the previous year. Bill Lapham, former Iowa center, also moved from the Eagles to the Vikings. Davis Swenson was drafted from Luther College by the Vikings, and a rookie quarterback named Francis Tarkenton shared playing time with George Shaw in the exhibition game. In 1962, the West Side Civic Club had an oral agreement with the Vikings to return for another exhibition game, but the team asked to be released to play in Atlanta. A Philadelphia Eagles-Chicago Bears contest then was scheduled for Aug. 18. Both teams had players unable to take the field, including John Nocera, the only Iowa player to start in both Hawkeye Rose Bowl games, who was sick. The Eagles won 28-14 in front of a crowd of 11,800, slightly short of the draw of the previous two years. 'This was by far the most electrifying of the three and there were many spectacular plays,” reported The Gazette. In October, Eagles general manager Vince McNally sent Mike Swords the autographed game ball along with a note that his club was delighted with the facilities and treatment in Cedar Rapids. The Bears and Eagles each took home checks for $16,500. The last game of the pro series in 1963 almost didn't happen. The West Side Civic Club didn't find any of the possibilities appealing. Then, in mid-July, KCRG's Bob Brooks came across an Associated Press story. The NFL champion Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins pulled out of an exhibition game in Columbus, Ga., when they were asked to approve a segregated seating plan. When West Side Civic Club President Martin Wiley was informed, he and the sports committee set gears in motion. They called Packers Coach Vince Lombardi. The final preseason game for both teams was set for Sept. 7. On a perfect September evening, a crowd of 13,500, the largest in the Kingston pro football series, watched as the Packers downed Washington 28-17.
