Super Bowl I
Encyclopedia
The First AFL-NFL World Championship Game in professional American football
, later known as Super Bowl I and referred to in some contemporary reports as the Supergame, was played on January 15, 1967 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
in Los Angeles
, California
.
The National Football League
(NFL) champion Green Bay Packers
(14–2) scored 3 second-half touchdowns en route to a 35–10 win over the American Football League
(AFL) champion Kansas City Chiefs
(12–3–1). Green Bay quarterback Bart Starr
, who completed 16 of 23 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns, with 1 interception, was named Super Bowl MVP
.
agreement between the NFL and the AFL. However, Los Angeles was not awarded the game until six weeks prior to the kickoff. The date of the game was also not set until around that time. Since the AFL Championship Game was originally scheduled for Monday, December 26 and the NFL Championship Game for Sunday, January 1 (the reverse of the situation in 1960), it was suggested the game be played on Sunday, January 8, 1967. It was eventually decided to hold an unprecedented TV doubleheader on January 1, 1967, with the AFL Championship Game in Buffalo starting at 1 p.m. and the NFL Championship Game in Dallas starting at 4 p.m.
Coming into this first game, there was considerable animosity between the two rival leagues, with both of them putting pressure on their respective champions to trounce the other and prove each league's dominance in professional football
. Still, many sports writers and fans believed that the game was a mismatch, and that any team from the long-established NFL was far superior to the best team from the upstart AFL.The 2 teams that played were the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Packers ended up winning 35 to 10.
, 31-7.
Kansas City's high powered offense led the AFL in points scored (448) and total rushing yards (2,274). Their trio of running back
s, Mike Garrett
(801 yards), Bert Coan
(521 yards), and Curtis McClinton
(540 yards) all ranked among the top ten rushers in the AFL. Quarterback Len Dawson
was the top rated passer in the AFL, completing 159 out of 284 (56 percent) of his passes for 2,527 yards and 26 touchdowns. Wide receiver Otis Taylor
provided the team with a great deep threat by recording 58 receptions of 1,297 yards and 8 touchdowns. Receiver Chris Burford
added 58 receptions for 758 yards and 8 touchdowns. And tight end Fred Arbanas
, who had 22 catches for 305 yards and 4 touchdowns, was one of 6 Chiefs offensive players who were named to the All-AFL team.
The Chiefs also had a strong defense, with All-AFL players Jerry Mays and Buck Buchanan
anchoring their line. Linebacker Bobby Bell
, who was also named to the All-AFL team, was great at run stopping and pass coverage. But the strongest part of their defense was their secondary, led by All-AFL safeties Johnny Robinson and Bobby Hunt
, who each recorded 10 interceptions, and defensive back Fred Williamson
, who recorded 4. Their Head Coach was Hank Stram
.
after being a losing team eight years earlier. The team had posted an NFL-worst 1–10–1 record in 1958
before legendary head coach Vince Lombardi
was hired in January 1959. But Lombardi was determined to build a winning team. During the offseason, he signed Fred "Fuzzy" Thurston
, who had been cut from three other teams but ended up becoming an All-Pro left guard for Green Bay. Lombardi also made a big trade with the Cleveland Browns
that brought three players to the team who would become cornerstones of the defense: linemen Henry Jordan
, Willie Davis, and Bill Quinlan
.
Lombardi's hard work paid off, and the Packers improved to a 7–5 regular season record in 1959
. They surprised the league during the following year by making it all the way to the 1960
NFL Championship Game
. Although the Packers lost 17–13 to the Philadelphia Eagles
, they had sent a clear message that they were no longer losers. Green Bay went on to win NFL Championships in 1961
, 1962
, 1965
, 1966
, and 1967
.
Packers veteran quarterback Bart Starr
was the top-rated quarterback in the NFL for 1966, and won the NFL Most Valuable Player Award
, completing 156 out of 251 (62.2 percent) passes for 2,257 yards, 14 touchdowns, and only 3 interceptions. His top targets were wide receivers Boyd Dowler
and Carroll Dale
, who combined for 63 receptions for 1,336 yards. Fullback Jim Taylor was the team's top rusher with 705 yards, and also caught 41 passes for 331 yards. (Before the season, Taylor had informed the team that instead of returning to the Packers in 1967, he would become a free agent and sign with the expansion New Orleans Saints. Lombardi, infuriated at what he considered to be Taylor's disloyalty, refused to speak to Taylor the entire season.) The team's starting halfback, Paul Hornung
, was injured early in the season, but running back Elijah Pitts
did a good job as a replacement, gaining 857 combined rushing and receiving yards. And the Packers offensive line was also big reason for the team's success, led by All-Pro guards Jerry Kramer
and Thurston, along with Forrest Gregg
.
Green Bay also had a superb defense, which displayed its talent on the final drive of the NFL Championship Game, stopping the Dallas Cowboys
on 4 consecutive plays starting on the Packers 2-yard line to win the game. Lionel Aldridge
had replaced Quinlan, but Jordan and Davis still anchored the defensive line, linebacker Ray Nitschke
excelled at run stopping and pass coverage, while the secondary was led by defensive backs Herb Adderley
and Willie Wood. Wood was another example of how Lombardi found talent in players that nobody else could see. Wood had been a quarterback in college and was not drafted by an NFL team. When Wood joined the Packers in 1960, he was converted to a free safety and he went on to make the All-Pro team 9 times in his 12 year career.
was the person who founded the AFL, while Green Bay was widely considered one of the better teams in NFL history (even if they couldn't claim to be founding members of their own league). (CBS announcer Frank Gifford
, who interviewed Lombardi prior to the game, said Lombardi was so nervous "he held onto my arm and he was shaking like a leaf. It was incredible.") Lombardi was under intense pressure from the entire NFL that the Packers not only win but preferably win big. The Chiefs saw this game as an opportunity to show they were good enough to play against any NFL team. One player who was really looking forward to compete in this game was Dawson, who had spent 3 years as a backup in the NFL before joining the Chiefs. (The Chiefs were also nervous. Linebacker E. J. Holub
said "the Chiefs were scared to death. Guys in the tunnel were throwing up.")
In the week prior to the game, Chiefs cornerback Fred "The Hammer" Williamson
garnered considerable publicity by boasting he would use his "hammer"--forearm blows to the head—to destroy the Packers' receivers, stating "Two hammers to (Boyd) Dowler, one to (Carroll) Dale should be enough."
The two teams played with their respective footballs from each league-
The Chiefs used the AFL ball by Spalding, the Packers played with
the NFL ball by Wilson.
The AFL's two-point conversion rule was not used and would not be used in any of the first four Super Bowls.
s simultaneously (no other NFL game was subsequently carried nationally on more than one network until December 29, 2007
, when the New England Patriots
faced
the New York Giants
on NBC, CBS, and the NFL Network
). At the time, NBC
held the rights to nationally televise AFL games while CBS
had the rights to broadcast NFL games. It was decided to have both of them cover the game.
Each network used its own announcers: Ray Scott
(doing play-by-play for the first half), Jack Whitaker (doing play-by-play for the second half), and Frank Gifford
provided commentary on CBS; while Curt Gowdy
and Paul Christman
were on NBC.
CBS did have some problems. A little-known fact about SB I is that at the start of the second half, the Chiefs received the opening kickoff and returned it for good field position, around midfield. However, CBS did not return in time from a halftime commercial break for the start of the second half. Ironically, the AFL network missed the first kickoff and return, and the Chiefs were forced to receive another "official" kickoff, this one being stopped around the Chiefs' twenty. They then advanced the ball to their own 49-yard line, but were intercepted, a play that turned the game around. Professional Football pundits to this day wonder what the game's outcome would have been, had the first kickoff return not been expunged from history. CBS was also forced to broadcast the game over NBC' cameras (NBC received prerogative to use its feed and feed and less innovative camera placement and angles, since the Coliseum was home to the NFL's Rams). In other words, CBS's crew had little to no control over how the game was shot.
Super Bowl I was the only Super Bowl in history that was not a sellout in terms of attendance, despite a TV blackout
in the Los Angeles area (at the time, NFL games were required to be blacked out in the market of origin, even if it was a neutral site game and if it sold out). Days before the game, local newspapers printed editorials about what they viewed as a then-exorbitant $12 USD price for tickets, and wrote stories about how to pirate the signal from TV stations outside the Los Angeles area.
, the reusing of videotape by taping over previous content, by both networks. This was due to the idea that the game wasn't going to become what it did, plus videotapes were extremely expensive back then. This has prevented contrast and compare studies of how each network handled their respective coverage. Despite this, television and sports archivists remain on the lookout, and at least two small samples of the telecast survive: a recording of Max McGee
's opening touchdown and Jim Taylor's first touchdown run (Packers' second touchdown), both were shown on HBO's 1991 two-part sports documentary, Play by Play: A History of Sports Television.
NFL Films
had a camera crew present, and retains a substantial amount of film footage in its archives, some of which has been released for home video and cable presentations.
In January of 2011, it was reported that a recording of the CBS telecast had been found in a Pennsylvania attic and restored by the Paley Center for Media in New York. The 2" color videotape is incomplete, and is missing the halftime show and most of the third-quarter footage, but is still the most complete version of the broadcast yet discovered.
trumpeter Al Hirt
, and the marching bands from the University of Arizona
and Grambling State University
. (At least one source incorrectly lists the University of Michigan Band.)
The postgame, trophy
presentation ceremony was handled by CBS' Pat Summerall
and NBC's George Ratterman
. Summerall and Ratterman were forced to share a single microphone.
threw a pass to reserve receiver Max McGee
, who had replaced injured starter Boyd Dowler
earlier in the drive. McGee slipped past Chiefs cornerback Willie Mitchell
, made a one-handed catch at the 23-yard line, and then took off for a 37-yard touchdown reception. On their ensuing drive, the Chiefs moved the ball to Green Bay's 33-yard line, but kicker Mike Mercer
missed a 40-yard field goal.
Early in the second quarter, Kansas City marched 66 yards in 6 plays, featuring a 31-yard reception by receiver Otis Taylor
, to tie the game on a 7-yard pass to Curtis McClinton
from quarterback Len Dawson
. But the Packers responded on their next drive, advancing 73 yards down the field and scoring on fullback Jim Taylor's 14-yard touchdown run with the team's famed "Power Sweep" play. Dawson was sacked for an 8-yard loss on the first play of the Chiefs next drive. But he followed it up with four consecutive completions for 58 yards, including a 27-yarder to Chris Burford
, setting up Mercer's 31-yard field goal to make the score 14-10 at the end of the half.
At halftime, it appeared that the Chiefs had a chance to win. Many people watching the game were surprised how close the score was and how well the AFL's champions were playing. Kansas City actually outgained the Packers in total yards, 181–164, and had 11 first downs compared to the Packers' 9. The Chiefs were exuberant at halftime. Hank Stram
said later "I honestly thought we would come back and win it." The Packers were disappointed with the quality of their play in the first half. "The coach was concerned" said defensive end Willie Davis later. Lombardi told them the game plan was sound but that they had to tweak some things and execute better.
On their first drive of the second half, the Chiefs advanced to their own 49-yard line. But on a third down pass play, a heavy blitz by linebackers Dave Robinson and Lee Roy Caffey
rushed Dawson's throw, and the ball was intercepted by Willie Wood, who then returned it 50 yards to Kansas City's 5-yard line.("the biggest play of the game," wrote Starr later). On their first play after the turnover, running back Elijah Pitts
scored on a 5-yard touchdown run to give the Packers a 21-10 lead.
The Packers defense would then dominate the Chiefs offense for the rest of the game, only allowing them to cross midfield once, and for just one play. The Chiefs were forced to deviate from their game plan, and that hurt them. The Chiefs' offense totaled 12 yards in the third quarter, and Dawson was held to 5 out of 12 second half pass completions for 59 yards.
Meanwhile, Green Bay forced Kansas City to punt from their own 2-yard line after sacking Dawson twice and got the ball back with good field position on their own 44. McGee subsequently caught 3 passes for 40 yards on a 56-yard drive that ended with his 13-yard touchdown reception. Midway through the fourth quarter, Starr completed a 25-yard pass to Carroll Dale
and a 37-yard strike to McGee, moving the ball to the Chiefs 18-yard line. Four plays later, Pitts scored his second touchdown on a 1-yard run to close out the scoring, giving the Packers the 35-10 win. Also in the fourth quarter, Fred Williamson
, who had boasted about his "hammer" prior to the game, was knocked out when his head collided with running back Donny Anderson's
knee, and then suffered a broken arm when Chiefs linebacker Sherrill Headrick
fell on him. Williamson had three tackles for the game.
Hornung was the only Packer not to see any action. Lombardi had asked him in the fourth quarter if he wanted to go in, but Hornung declined, not wanting to aggravate a pinched nerve in his neck. McGee, who caught only four passes for 91 yards and one touchdown during the season, finished Super Bowl I with seven receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
The Green Bay Packers were each paid a salary of $15,000 as the winning team. The Chiefs were paid $7,500 each.
Note: According to NBC Radio
announcer Jim Simpson
's report at halftime of the game, Kansas City led 11 to 9 in first downs at halftime, 181 to 164 in total yards, and 142 to 113 in passing yards (Green Bay led 51 to 39 in rushing yards). Bart Starr
was 8 of 13 with no interceptions, while Len Dawson
was 11 of 15 with no interceptions. Green Bay led 14-10 at halftime. Green Bay had the ball five times, although only for a minute or so on the last possession; they punted on their first possession, scored a touchdown on their second, punted on their third, scored a touchdown on their fourth, and had the ball when the half ended on their fifth. Kansas City had the ball four times --- punting on their first possession, driving to a missed field goal on their second possession, scoring a touchdown on their third, and kicking a field goal on their fourth.
This means that, in the second half, Green Bay led 12 to 6 in first downs, 203 to 58 in total yards, 115 to 25 in passing yards, and 82 to 33 in rushing yards (the Packers won the second half, 21-0). Starr and his late-game replacement, Zeke Bratkowski
, were 8 for 11 with one interception; Dawson and his late-game replacement, Pete Beatherd, were just 6 for 17, also with one interception. Each team had the ball seven times in the second half, although Green Bay's first possession was just one play and their seventh possession was abbreviated because the game ended. Green Bay scored a touchdown on their first (one play) possession, punted on their second, scored a touchdown on their third, was intercepted at KC's 15 yard line on their fourth (just Starr's fourth interception of the year), scored a touchdown on their fifth, punted on their sixth, and had the ball when the game ended on their seventh possession. Kansas City was intercepted on their first possession --- Wood's return to the five set up Pitts' TD that made it 21-10 --- and then punted on each of their next six possessions.
aCarries
bLong play
cReceptions
Note: A seven-official system was not used before 1978.
Since officials from the NFL and AFL wore different uniform designs, a "neutral" uniform was designed for this game. These uniforms had the familiar black and white stripes, but the sleeves were all black with the official's uniform number. This design was also worn in Super Bowl II
, but was discontinued after that game when AFL officials began wearing uniforms identical to those of the NFL during the 1968 season, in anticipation of the AFL-NFL merger
in 1970.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, later known as Super Bowl I and referred to in some contemporary reports as the Supergame, was played on January 15, 1967 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a large outdoor sports stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at Exposition Park, that is home to the Pacific-12 Conference's University of Southern California Trojans football team...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
The National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL) champion Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
(14–2) scored 3 second-half touchdowns en route to a 35–10 win over the American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
(AFL) champion Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
(12–3–1). Green Bay quarterback Bart Starr
Bart Starr
Bryan Bartlett "Bart" Starr is a former professional American football player and coach. Wearing #15, he was the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers from 1956 to 1971 and head coach from 1975 to 1983, compiling a record of 52–76–3 ....
, who completed 16 of 23 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns, with 1 interception, was named Super Bowl MVP
Super Bowl MVP
The Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award, or Super Bowl MVP, is an award presented annually to the most valuable player of the Super Bowl, the National Football League's championship game. The winner is chosen by a fan vote during the game and by a panel of 16 American football writers and...
.
Origins
The First AFL-NFL World Championship Game was established as part of the June 8, 1966 mergerAFL-NFL Merger
The AFL–NFL merger of 1970 was the merger of the two major professional American football leagues in the United States at the time: the National Football League and the American Football League...
agreement between the NFL and the AFL. However, Los Angeles was not awarded the game until six weeks prior to the kickoff. The date of the game was also not set until around that time. Since the AFL Championship Game was originally scheduled for Monday, December 26 and the NFL Championship Game for Sunday, January 1 (the reverse of the situation in 1960), it was suggested the game be played on Sunday, January 8, 1967. It was eventually decided to hold an unprecedented TV doubleheader on January 1, 1967, with the AFL Championship Game in Buffalo starting at 1 p.m. and the NFL Championship Game in Dallas starting at 4 p.m.
Coming into this first game, there was considerable animosity between the two rival leagues, with both of them putting pressure on their respective champions to trounce the other and prove each league's dominance in professional football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
. Still, many sports writers and fans believed that the game was a mismatch, and that any team from the long-established NFL was far superior to the best team from the upstart AFL.The 2 teams that played were the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Packers ended up winning 35 to 10.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs entered the game after recording an 11-2-1 mark during the regular season. In the AFL Championship Game, they beat the Buffalo BillsBuffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, 31-7.
Kansas City's high powered offense led the AFL in points scored (448) and total rushing yards (2,274). Their trio of running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
s, Mike Garrett
Mike Garrett
Michael Lockett Garrett is a former American collegiate and professional football player who won the 1965 Heisman Trophy as a tailback for the University of Southern California Trojans. Garrett also played professional football for eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers...
(801 yards), Bert Coan
Bert Coan
Elroy Bert Coan III is a former American football player. He is most notable because of his extraordinary speed and size and because he was the central figure in a dispute over the 1960 college football game between the University of Kansas Jayhawks and the University of Missouri Tigers, the...
(521 yards), and Curtis McClinton
Curtis McClinton
Curtis McClinton is a former collegiate and professional American football player.McClinton attended Wichita High School North in Wichita, Kansas before attending the University of Kansas. A three-time All-Big Eight selection as a Jayhawk, McClinton led the team in rushing in 1959 and rushed for...
(540 yards) all ranked among the top ten rushers in the AFL. Quarterback Len Dawson
Len Dawson
Leonard Ray "Len" "Lenny" Dawson is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who attended Purdue University and went on to play for three professional teams, most notably the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs...
was the top rated passer in the AFL, completing 159 out of 284 (56 percent) of his passes for 2,527 yards and 26 touchdowns. Wide receiver Otis Taylor
Otis Taylor (American football)
Otis Taylor was an American college and professional American football player, for Prairie View A&M University and the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs...
provided the team with a great deep threat by recording 58 receptions of 1,297 yards and 8 touchdowns. Receiver Chris Burford
Chris Burford
Christopher William Burford, III is a former American football wide receiver. Burford was a master of sideline receptions for the Dallas Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs. What he lacked in great speed or physical presence, he made up for by running perfectly choreographed pass routes that...
added 58 receptions for 758 yards and 8 touchdowns. And tight end Fred Arbanas
Fred Arbanas
Frederick Vincent Arbanas is an American former college and professional football player. Drafted out of Michigan State by the American Football League's Dallas Texans in 1961, he missed the 1961 season with injuries...
, who had 22 catches for 305 yards and 4 touchdowns, was one of 6 Chiefs offensive players who were named to the All-AFL team.
The Chiefs also had a strong defense, with All-AFL players Jerry Mays and Buck Buchanan
Buck Buchanan
Junious "Buck" Buchanan was an American collegiate and professional Football defensive tackle. He played for the Kansas City Chiefs in the American Football League and in the National Football League ....
anchoring their line. Linebacker Bobby Bell
Bobby Bell
Bobby Lee Bell, Sr is a former professional American football linebacker/defensive end. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame, and was a member of the Chiefs' team that won Super Bowl IV against the Minnesota Vikings.- High school career :He excelled in...
, who was also named to the All-AFL team, was great at run stopping and pass coverage. But the strongest part of their defense was their secondary, led by All-AFL safeties Johnny Robinson and Bobby Hunt
Bobby Hunt
Robert Kenneth "Bobby" Hunt is a former American football defensive back who played professionally in the American Football League. He played college football at Auburn University, and went on to play in the AFL for the Dallas Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, and Cincinnati Bengals between 1962 and 1969...
, who each recorded 10 interceptions, and defensive back Fred Williamson
Fred Williamson
Fred "The Hammer" Williamson is an American actor, architect, and former professional American football defensive back who played mainly in the American Football League during the 1960s.-Football career:...
, who recorded 4. Their Head Coach was Hank Stram
Hank Stram
Henry Louis "Hank" Stram was an American football coach. He is best known for his 15-year tenure with the American Football League's Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs and the Chiefs of the NFL. Stram won three AFL Championships and Super Bowl IV with the Chiefs...
.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers were an NFL dynastyDynasty (sports)
A sports dynasty is a team that dominates their sport or league for multiple seasons or years. Such dominance is often only realized in retrospect...
after being a losing team eight years earlier. The team had posted an NFL-worst 1–10–1 record in 1958
1958 NFL season
The 1958 NFL season was the 39th regular season of the National Football League.The Baltimore Colts defeated the New York Giants, 23–17, in the first sudden-death overtime in an NFL Championship Game...
before legendary head coach Vince Lombardi
Vince Lombardi
Vincent Thomas "Vince" Lombardi was an American football coach. He is best known as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers during the 1960s, where he led the team to three straight league championships and five in seven years, including winning the first two Super Bowls following the 1966 and...
was hired in January 1959. But Lombardi was determined to build a winning team. During the offseason, he signed Fred "Fuzzy" Thurston
Fred Thurston
Frederick Charles "Fuzzy" Thurston is a former American football guard in the National Football League who played for the Baltimore Colts and Green Bay Packers...
, who had been cut from three other teams but ended up becoming an All-Pro left guard for Green Bay. Lombardi also made a big trade with the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
that brought three players to the team who would become cornerstones of the defense: linemen Henry Jordan
Henry Jordan
Henry Wendell Jordan was an American football defensive tackle who played for two teams, the Green Bay Packers and the Cleveland Browns, during his thirteen-year National Football League career. He played in the NFL from 1957 to 1969.Jordan attended Warwick High School in Newport News, Virginia...
, Willie Davis, and Bill Quinlan
Bill Quinlan
William David Quinlan is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, and the Washington Redskins. He also played in the Canadian Football League for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats...
.
Lombardi's hard work paid off, and the Packers improved to a 7–5 regular season record in 1959
1959 NFL season
The 1959 NFL season was the 40th regular season of the National Football League. Tragedy struck as NFL Commissioner Bert Bell died of a heart attack on October 11 at Philadelphia's Franklin Field while watching the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers play...
. They surprised the league during the following year by making it all the way to the 1960
1960 NFL season
The 1960 NFL season was the 41st regular season of the National Football League. Before the season, Pete Rozelle was elected NFL commissioner as a compromise choice on the twenty-third ballot. Meanwhile, the league expanded to 13 teams with the addition of the Dallas Cowboys. Also, the Cardinals...
NFL Championship Game
NFL Championship Game, 1960
The 1960 National Football League championship game was the 28th NFL title game. The game was played on Monday, December 26, 1960 at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
. Although the Packers lost 17–13 to the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, they had sent a clear message that they were no longer losers. Green Bay went on to win NFL Championships in 1961
NFL Championship Game, 1961
The 1961 National Football League championship game was the 29th title game. The game was played at "New" City Stadium, later known as Lambeau Field, in Green Bay, Wisconsin on December 31, 1961...
, 1962
NFL Championship Game, 1962
The 1962 National Football League championship game was the 30th NFL title game. The game was played on December 30, 1962 at Yankee Stadium in New York City between the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers. The attendance for the game was 64,892. The Packers were coached by Hall of Fame coach...
, 1965
NFL Championship Game, 1965
The 1965 National Football League Championship game was the 33rd championship game for the NFL. The game was played on January 2, 1966 at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin. The game matched the Eastern Conference champions Cleveland Browns who were the defending NFL champions...
, 1966
NFL Championship Game, 1966
The 1966 National Football League Championship Game determined the NFL's champion, which would meet the AFL's champion in Super Bowl I, then formally referred to as the first AFL-NFL World Championship Game. The NFL Championship Game was held at the Cowboys' home stadium, the Cotton Bowl in Dallas,...
, and 1967
NFL Championship Game, 1967
The 1967 National Football League Championship Game between the Western Conference champion Green Bay Packers and the Eastern Conference champion Dallas Cowboys was the 35th championship game in NFL history. The game was held at Lambeau Field on December 31, 1967. The winner of the game was...
.
Packers veteran quarterback Bart Starr
Bart Starr
Bryan Bartlett "Bart" Starr is a former professional American football player and coach. Wearing #15, he was the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers from 1956 to 1971 and head coach from 1975 to 1983, compiling a record of 52–76–3 ....
was the top-rated quarterback in the NFL for 1966, and won the NFL Most Valuable Player Award
NFL Most Valuable Player Award
The National Football League Most Valuable Player Award is given by various entities, most notably the Associated Press , to the player who is considered most valuable in the league. When the award is referred to without mentioning the organization, it generally means the AP award. The AP NFL MVP...
, completing 156 out of 251 (62.2 percent) passes for 2,257 yards, 14 touchdowns, and only 3 interceptions. His top targets were wide receivers Boyd Dowler
Boyd Dowler
Boyd Hamilton Dowler is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League who played twelve seasons for the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins from 1959 to 1971...
and Carroll Dale
Carroll Dale
Carroll Wayne Dale is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at Virginia Tech from 1956–59. Dale was named second-team All American in 1958 and 1959....
, who combined for 63 receptions for 1,336 yards. Fullback Jim Taylor was the team's top rusher with 705 yards, and also caught 41 passes for 331 yards. (Before the season, Taylor had informed the team that instead of returning to the Packers in 1967, he would become a free agent and sign with the expansion New Orleans Saints. Lombardi, infuriated at what he considered to be Taylor's disloyalty, refused to speak to Taylor the entire season.) The team's starting halfback, Paul Hornung
Paul Hornung
Paul Vernon Hornung is a retired Hall of Fame professional football player who played for the Green Bay Packers from 1957-66...
, was injured early in the season, but running back Elijah Pitts
Elijah Pitts
Elijah Eugene Pitts was an American football halfback in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers, the Los Angeles Rams, and the New Orleans Saints. He played college football at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas.Pitts scored two touchdowns in the original Super Bowl...
did a good job as a replacement, gaining 857 combined rushing and receiving yards. And the Packers offensive line was also big reason for the team's success, led by All-Pro guards Jerry Kramer
Jerry Kramer
Gerald Louis "Jerry" Kramer is a former professional football player, author and sports commentator, best remembered for his 11-year NFL career with the Green Bay Packers as an offensive lineman...
and Thurston, along with Forrest Gregg
Forrest Gregg
Alvis Forrest Gregg is a former American football player and coach in the National Football League. During a Pro Football Hall of Fame playing career, he was a part of six championships, five of them with the Green Bay Packers before closing out his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys with a win in...
.
Green Bay also had a superb defense, which displayed its talent on the final drive of the NFL Championship Game, stopping the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
on 4 consecutive plays starting on the Packers 2-yard line to win the game. Lionel Aldridge
Lionel Aldridge
Lionel Aldridge was a United States professional football player.He was drafted in 1963 after a standout college career at Utah State. One of the few rookies to start for coach Vince Lombardi, Aldridge enjoyed an eleven-year NFL career...
had replaced Quinlan, but Jordan and Davis still anchored the defensive line, linebacker Ray Nitschke
Ray Nitschke
Raymond Ernest "Ray" Nitschke was a professional football player who played his entire career as a middle linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. Wearing #66, he played fifteen seasons, from 1958-72....
excelled at run stopping and pass coverage, while the secondary was led by defensive backs Herb Adderley
Herb Adderley
Herbert Allen Adderley is a former American football cornerback who played for the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League....
and Willie Wood. Wood was another example of how Lombardi found talent in players that nobody else could see. Wood had been a quarterback in college and was not drafted by an NFL team. When Wood joined the Packers in 1960, he was converted to a free safety and he went on to make the All-Pro team 9 times in his 12 year career.
Super Bowl pregame news and notes
Many people considered it fitting that the Chiefs and the Packers would be the teams to play in the first ever AFL-NFL World Championship Game. Kansas City owner Lamar HuntLamar Hunt
Lamar Hunt was an American sportsman and promoter of American football, soccer, basketball, and ice hockey in the United States and an inductee into three sports' halls of fame. He was one of the founders of the American Football League and Major League Soccer , as well as MLS predecessor the...
was the person who founded the AFL, while Green Bay was widely considered one of the better teams in NFL history (even if they couldn't claim to be founding members of their own league). (CBS announcer Frank Gifford
Frank Gifford
Francis Newton "Frank" Gifford is a Hall of Fame former American football player and American sportscaster.-Early life:Gifford was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of Lola Mae and Weldon Gifford, an oil driller....
, who interviewed Lombardi prior to the game, said Lombardi was so nervous "he held onto my arm and he was shaking like a leaf. It was incredible.") Lombardi was under intense pressure from the entire NFL that the Packers not only win but preferably win big. The Chiefs saw this game as an opportunity to show they were good enough to play against any NFL team. One player who was really looking forward to compete in this game was Dawson, who had spent 3 years as a backup in the NFL before joining the Chiefs. (The Chiefs were also nervous. Linebacker E. J. Holub
E. J. Holub
Emil Joe Holub is a former American football center and linebacker in the American Football League and the National Football League . Collegiately, he played for Texas Technological College .-College:E.J. Holub graduated from Lubbock High School in 1957 and went on to attend Texas Technological...
said "the Chiefs were scared to death. Guys in the tunnel were throwing up.")
In the week prior to the game, Chiefs cornerback Fred "The Hammer" Williamson
Fred Williamson
Fred "The Hammer" Williamson is an American actor, architect, and former professional American football defensive back who played mainly in the American Football League during the 1960s.-Football career:...
garnered considerable publicity by boasting he would use his "hammer"--forearm blows to the head—to destroy the Packers' receivers, stating "Two hammers to (Boyd) Dowler, one to (Carroll) Dale should be enough."
The two teams played with their respective footballs from each league-
The Chiefs used the AFL ball by Spalding, the Packers played with
the NFL ball by Wilson.
The AFL's two-point conversion rule was not used and would not be used in any of the first four Super Bowls.
Simulcast
This game is the only Super Bowl to have been broadcast in the United States by two television networkTelevision network
A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay TV providers. Until the mid-1980s, television programming in most countries of the world was dominated by a small...
s simultaneously (no other NFL game was subsequently carried nationally on more than one network until December 29, 2007
2007 NFL season
The 2007 NFL season was the 88th regular season of the National Football League.Regular-season play was held from September 6 to December 30....
, when the New England Patriots
2007 New England Patriots season
The 2007 New England Patriots season was the 38th season for the team in the National Football League and 48th season overall. They finished with a perfect 16–0 regular season record but lost to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII....
faced
2007 New England Patriots-New York Giants game
The 2007 Patriots–Giants game was an American football game held on December 29, 2007 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The game became a preview of Super Bowl XLII...
the New York Giants
2007 New York Giants season
The 2007 New York Giants season was the 83rd season for the New York Giants in the National Football League. The Giants finished the regular season 10–6 and in second place in the NFC East, improving upon their 8–8 record in 2006 in which they finished third in their division...
on NBC, CBS, and the NFL Network
NFL Network
NFL Network is an American television specialty channel owned and operated by the National Football League . It was launched November 4, 2003, only eight months after the league's 32 team owners voted unanimously to approve its formation...
). At the time, NBC
NFL on NBC
NFL on NBC is the brand given to NBC Sports coverage of National Football League games until 1998, when NBC lost the NFL American Football Conference rights to CBS...
held the rights to nationally televise AFL games while CBS
NFL on CBS
The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:...
had the rights to broadcast NFL games. It was decided to have both of them cover the game.
Each network used its own announcers: Ray Scott
Ray Scott (sportscaster)
Ray Scott , was an American sportscaster, best known for his broadcasts for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. His brother Hal Scott was also a sportscaster.-Early life and career:Scott began his broadcasting career on local radio in the late 1930s...
(doing play-by-play for the first half), Jack Whitaker (doing play-by-play for the second half), and Frank Gifford
Frank Gifford
Francis Newton "Frank" Gifford is a Hall of Fame former American football player and American sportscaster.-Early life:Gifford was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of Lola Mae and Weldon Gifford, an oil driller....
provided commentary on CBS; while Curt Gowdy
Curt Gowdy
Curtis Edward "Curt" Gowdy was an American sportscaster, well known as the longtime "voice" of the Boston Red Sox and for his coverage of many nationally-televised sporting events, primarily for NBC Sports in the 1960s and 1970s.-Early years:The son of a manager for the Union Pacific railroad,...
and Paul Christman
Paul Christman
Paul Joseph Christman was an American football player and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. He played college football for the University of Missouri and professionally for the Chicago Cardinals and Green Bay Packers.-Collegiate career:A St...
were on NBC.
CBS did have some problems. A little-known fact about SB I is that at the start of the second half, the Chiefs received the opening kickoff and returned it for good field position, around midfield. However, CBS did not return in time from a halftime commercial break for the start of the second half. Ironically, the AFL network missed the first kickoff and return, and the Chiefs were forced to receive another "official" kickoff, this one being stopped around the Chiefs' twenty. They then advanced the ball to their own 49-yard line, but were intercepted, a play that turned the game around. Professional Football pundits to this day wonder what the game's outcome would have been, had the first kickoff return not been expunged from history. CBS was also forced to broadcast the game over NBC' cameras (NBC received prerogative to use its feed and feed and less innovative camera placement and angles, since the Coliseum was home to the NFL's Rams). In other words, CBS's crew had little to no control over how the game was shot.
Super Bowl I was the only Super Bowl in history that was not a sellout in terms of attendance, despite a TV blackout
Blackout (broadcasting)
Blackout usually relates to the broadcasting of sports events, television programming, that is prohibited in a certain media market.The purpose is theoretically to generate more revenue by obliging certain actions from fans, either by making them buy tickets or watch other games on TV...
in the Los Angeles area (at the time, NFL games were required to be blacked out in the market of origin, even if it was a neutral site game and if it sold out). Days before the game, local newspapers printed editorials about what they viewed as a then-exorbitant $12 USD price for tickets, and wrote stories about how to pirate the signal from TV stations outside the Los Angeles area.
Lost footage
Much to the dismay of television historians, all known broadcast tapes which recorded the game in its entirety were subsequently destroyed in a process of wipingWiping
Wiping or junking is a colloquial term for action taken by radio and television production and broadcasting companies, in which old audiotapes, videotapes, and telerecordings , are erased, reused, or destroyed after several uses...
, the reusing of videotape by taping over previous content, by both networks. This was due to the idea that the game wasn't going to become what it did, plus videotapes were extremely expensive back then. This has prevented contrast and compare studies of how each network handled their respective coverage. Despite this, television and sports archivists remain on the lookout, and at least two small samples of the telecast survive: a recording of Max McGee
Max McGee
William Max McGee was a professional football wide receiver who played for the Green Bay Packers from 1954-67. He served as the team's punter during a few years of his career. McGee may be best known for his performance during the first Super Bowl game. Prior to his NFL career, he played college...
's opening touchdown and Jim Taylor's first touchdown run (Packers' second touchdown), both were shown on HBO's 1991 two-part sports documentary, Play by Play: A History of Sports Television.
NFL Films
NFL Films
NFL Films is a Mount Laurel, New Jersey-based company devoted to producing commercials, television programs, feature films, and documentaries on the National Football League, as well as other unrelated major events and awards shows...
had a camera crew present, and retains a substantial amount of film footage in its archives, some of which has been released for home video and cable presentations.
In January of 2011, it was reported that a recording of the CBS telecast had been found in a Pennsylvania attic and restored by the Paley Center for Media in New York. The 2" color videotape is incomplete, and is missing the halftime show and most of the third-quarter footage, but is still the most complete version of the broadcast yet discovered.
Ceremonies and entertainment
The first Super Bowl halftime show featured AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
trumpeter Al Hirt
Al Hirt
Al Hirt was an American trumpeter and bandleader. He is best remembered for his million selling recordings of "Java", and the accompanying album, Honey in the Horn . His nicknames included 'Jumbo' and 'The Round Mound of Sound'...
, and the marching bands from the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
and Grambling State University
Grambling State University
Grambling State University is a historically black , public, coeducational university, located in Grambling, Louisiana. The university is the home of legendary football coach Eddie Robinson and is on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.-Academics:Grambling State University provides over...
. (At least one source incorrectly lists the University of Michigan Band.)
The postgame, trophy
Vince Lombardi Trophy
The Vince Lombardi Trophy is the trophy awarded each year to the winning team of the National Football League's championship game, the Super Bowl.-History:...
presentation ceremony was handled by CBS' Pat Summerall
Pat Summerall
George Allen "Pat" Summerall is a former American football player and television sportscaster, having worked at CBS, Fox, and ESPN.Summerall is best known for his work with John Madden on NFL telecasts for CBS and Fox.-High school:...
and NBC's George Ratterman
George Ratterman
George William Ratterman was an American Football player in the All-America Football Conference and the National Football League.-Early life:...
. Summerall and Ratterman were forced to share a single microphone.
Game summary
After both teams traded punts on their first possessions of the game, the Packers jumped out to an early 7–0 lead, driving 80 yards in 6 plays. On the last play, Bart StarrBart Starr
Bryan Bartlett "Bart" Starr is a former professional American football player and coach. Wearing #15, he was the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers from 1956 to 1971 and head coach from 1975 to 1983, compiling a record of 52–76–3 ....
threw a pass to reserve receiver Max McGee
Max McGee
William Max McGee was a professional football wide receiver who played for the Green Bay Packers from 1954-67. He served as the team's punter during a few years of his career. McGee may be best known for his performance during the first Super Bowl game. Prior to his NFL career, he played college...
, who had replaced injured starter Boyd Dowler
Boyd Dowler
Boyd Hamilton Dowler is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League who played twelve seasons for the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins from 1959 to 1971...
earlier in the drive. McGee slipped past Chiefs cornerback Willie Mitchell
Willie Mitchell (football player)
Willie Mitchell is a former professional football cornerback who played eight professional seasons 1964-1971. After winning the League Championship with the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs in 1966, he started for them in the first AFL-NFL World Championship Game, and was on the...
, made a one-handed catch at the 23-yard line, and then took off for a 37-yard touchdown reception. On their ensuing drive, the Chiefs moved the ball to Green Bay's 33-yard line, but kicker Mike Mercer
Mike Mercer (American football)
Michael Mercer is a former American football kicker and punter who played for six teams from . In the American Football League, he played for the Oakland Raiders, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills...
missed a 40-yard field goal.
Early in the second quarter, Kansas City marched 66 yards in 6 plays, featuring a 31-yard reception by receiver Otis Taylor
Otis Taylor (American football)
Otis Taylor was an American college and professional American football player, for Prairie View A&M University and the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs...
, to tie the game on a 7-yard pass to Curtis McClinton
Curtis McClinton
Curtis McClinton is a former collegiate and professional American football player.McClinton attended Wichita High School North in Wichita, Kansas before attending the University of Kansas. A three-time All-Big Eight selection as a Jayhawk, McClinton led the team in rushing in 1959 and rushed for...
from quarterback Len Dawson
Len Dawson
Leonard Ray "Len" "Lenny" Dawson is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who attended Purdue University and went on to play for three professional teams, most notably the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs...
. But the Packers responded on their next drive, advancing 73 yards down the field and scoring on fullback Jim Taylor's 14-yard touchdown run with the team's famed "Power Sweep" play. Dawson was sacked for an 8-yard loss on the first play of the Chiefs next drive. But he followed it up with four consecutive completions for 58 yards, including a 27-yarder to Chris Burford
Chris Burford
Christopher William Burford, III is a former American football wide receiver. Burford was a master of sideline receptions for the Dallas Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs. What he lacked in great speed or physical presence, he made up for by running perfectly choreographed pass routes that...
, setting up Mercer's 31-yard field goal to make the score 14-10 at the end of the half.
At halftime, it appeared that the Chiefs had a chance to win. Many people watching the game were surprised how close the score was and how well the AFL's champions were playing. Kansas City actually outgained the Packers in total yards, 181–164, and had 11 first downs compared to the Packers' 9. The Chiefs were exuberant at halftime. Hank Stram
Hank Stram
Henry Louis "Hank" Stram was an American football coach. He is best known for his 15-year tenure with the American Football League's Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs and the Chiefs of the NFL. Stram won three AFL Championships and Super Bowl IV with the Chiefs...
said later "I honestly thought we would come back and win it." The Packers were disappointed with the quality of their play in the first half. "The coach was concerned" said defensive end Willie Davis later. Lombardi told them the game plan was sound but that they had to tweak some things and execute better.
On their first drive of the second half, the Chiefs advanced to their own 49-yard line. But on a third down pass play, a heavy blitz by linebackers Dave Robinson and Lee Roy Caffey
Lee Roy Caffey
Lee Roy Caffey was an American football linebacker in the National Football League.He played college football at Texas A&M University where he led the Aggies in rushing with 371 yards in 1961. He played on the 1963 College All Star Football Team and in the 1963 Challenge Bowl and is a member of...
rushed Dawson's throw, and the ball was intercepted by Willie Wood, who then returned it 50 yards to Kansas City's 5-yard line.("the biggest play of the game," wrote Starr later). On their first play after the turnover, running back Elijah Pitts
Elijah Pitts
Elijah Eugene Pitts was an American football halfback in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers, the Los Angeles Rams, and the New Orleans Saints. He played college football at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas.Pitts scored two touchdowns in the original Super Bowl...
scored on a 5-yard touchdown run to give the Packers a 21-10 lead.
The Packers defense would then dominate the Chiefs offense for the rest of the game, only allowing them to cross midfield once, and for just one play. The Chiefs were forced to deviate from their game plan, and that hurt them. The Chiefs' offense totaled 12 yards in the third quarter, and Dawson was held to 5 out of 12 second half pass completions for 59 yards.
Meanwhile, Green Bay forced Kansas City to punt from their own 2-yard line after sacking Dawson twice and got the ball back with good field position on their own 44. McGee subsequently caught 3 passes for 40 yards on a 56-yard drive that ended with his 13-yard touchdown reception. Midway through the fourth quarter, Starr completed a 25-yard pass to Carroll Dale
Carroll Dale
Carroll Wayne Dale is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at Virginia Tech from 1956–59. Dale was named second-team All American in 1958 and 1959....
and a 37-yard strike to McGee, moving the ball to the Chiefs 18-yard line. Four plays later, Pitts scored his second touchdown on a 1-yard run to close out the scoring, giving the Packers the 35-10 win. Also in the fourth quarter, Fred Williamson
Fred Williamson
Fred "The Hammer" Williamson is an American actor, architect, and former professional American football defensive back who played mainly in the American Football League during the 1960s.-Football career:...
, who had boasted about his "hammer" prior to the game, was knocked out when his head collided with running back Donny Anderson's
Donny Anderson
Garry Don "Donny" Anderson is a former professional American football player who played nine years in the National Football League...
knee, and then suffered a broken arm when Chiefs linebacker Sherrill Headrick
Sherrill Headrick
Sherrill Headrick was an American college and Professional Football player from Texas Christian University.In 1960, Headrick came to the American Football League's Dallas Texans as an undrafted linebacker...
fell on him. Williamson had three tackles for the game.
Hornung was the only Packer not to see any action. Lombardi had asked him in the fourth quarter if he wanted to go in, but Hornung declined, not wanting to aggravate a pinched nerve in his neck. McGee, who caught only four passes for 91 yards and one touchdown during the season, finished Super Bowl I with seven receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
The Green Bay Packers were each paid a salary of $15,000 as the winning team. The Chiefs were paid $7,500 each.
Box score
| Quarter | Time | Team | Drive | Scoring Information | Score | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | Plays | Time | KC | GB | ||||
| 1 | 6:04 | GB | 80 | 6 | 3:06 | TD: Max McGee 37 yard pass from Bart Starr (Don Chandler kick) | 0 | 7 |
| 2 | 10:40 | KC | 66 | 6 | 3:44 | TD: Curtis McClinton 7 yard pass from Len Dawson (Mike Mercer kick) | 7 | 7 |
| 2 | 4:37 | GB | 73 | 13 | 6:03 | TD: Jim Taylor 14 yard run (Don Chandler kick) | 7 | 14 |
| 2 | :54 | KC | 50 | 7 | 3:43 | FG: Mike Mercer 31 yards | 10 | 14 |
| 3 | 12:33 | GB | 5 | 1 | :09 | TD: Elijah Pitts 5 yard run (Don Chandler kick) | 10 | 21 |
| 3 | :51 | GB | 56 | 10 | 5:25 | TD: Max McGee 13 yard pass from Bart Starr (Don Chandler kick) | 10 | 28 |
| 4 | 6:35 | GB | 80 | 8 | 4:13 | TD: Elijah Pitts 1 yard run (Don Chandler kick) | 10 | 35 |
Statistical comparison
| Kansas City Chiefs | Green Bay Packers | |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 17 | 21 |
| Third down efficiency | 3/13 | 11/15 |
| Fourth down efficiency | 0/0 | 0/0 |
| Total yards | 239 | 361 |
| Passing yards | 167 | 228 |
| Passing – Completions-attempts | 17-32 | 16-24 |
| Rushing yards | 72 | 133 |
| Rushing attempts | 19 | 34 |
| Yards per rush | 3.8 | 3.9 |
| Penalties-yards | 2-26 | 4-40 |
| Sacks-against | 6-61 | 3-22 |
| Fumbles-lost | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Interceptions thrown | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 28:35 | 31:25 |
Note: According to NBC Radio
NFL on NBC Radio
From 1985-1986, the NBC Radio Network was the official, national radio provider for National Football League games. The program succeeded the CBS Radio Network's package.-Background:...
announcer Jim Simpson
Jim Simpson (sportscaster)
Jim Simpson is a retired American sportscaster, known for his smooth delivery as a play-by-play man and his versatility in covering many different sports. In 1997, he won the Sports Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2000 he was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters...
's report at halftime of the game, Kansas City led 11 to 9 in first downs at halftime, 181 to 164 in total yards, and 142 to 113 in passing yards (Green Bay led 51 to 39 in rushing yards). Bart Starr
Bart Starr
Bryan Bartlett "Bart" Starr is a former professional American football player and coach. Wearing #15, he was the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers from 1956 to 1971 and head coach from 1975 to 1983, compiling a record of 52–76–3 ....
was 8 of 13 with no interceptions, while Len Dawson
Len Dawson
Leonard Ray "Len" "Lenny" Dawson is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who attended Purdue University and went on to play for three professional teams, most notably the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs...
was 11 of 15 with no interceptions. Green Bay led 14-10 at halftime. Green Bay had the ball five times, although only for a minute or so on the last possession; they punted on their first possession, scored a touchdown on their second, punted on their third, scored a touchdown on their fourth, and had the ball when the half ended on their fifth. Kansas City had the ball four times --- punting on their first possession, driving to a missed field goal on their second possession, scoring a touchdown on their third, and kicking a field goal on their fourth.
This means that, in the second half, Green Bay led 12 to 6 in first downs, 203 to 58 in total yards, 115 to 25 in passing yards, and 82 to 33 in rushing yards (the Packers won the second half, 21-0). Starr and his late-game replacement, Zeke Bratkowski
Zeke Bratkowski
Edmund Raymond "Zeke" Bratkowski is a former All-American quarterback at the University of Georgia from 1952 to 1953. He also had a fourteen year career in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, L.A. Rams and Green Bay Packers, followed by a 26-year coaching career...
, were 8 for 11 with one interception; Dawson and his late-game replacement, Pete Beatherd, were just 6 for 17, also with one interception. Each team had the ball seven times in the second half, although Green Bay's first possession was just one play and their seventh possession was abbreviated because the game ended. Green Bay scored a touchdown on their first (one play) possession, punted on their second, scored a touchdown on their third, was intercepted at KC's 15 yard line on their fourth (just Starr's fourth interception of the year), scored a touchdown on their fifth, punted on their sixth, and had the ball when the game ended on their seventh possession. Kansas City was intercepted on their first possession --- Wood's return to the five set up Pitts' TD that made it 21-10 --- and then punted on each of their next six possessions.
Individual leaders
*Completions/AttemptsaCarries
bLong play
cReceptions
Starting lineups
Source:| Kansas City | Position | Green Bay |
|---|---|---|
| OFFENSE | ||
| Chris Burford Chris Burford Christopher William Burford, III is a former American football wide receiver. Burford was a master of sideline receptions for the Dallas Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs. What he lacked in great speed or physical presence, he made up for by running perfectly choreographed pass routes that... |
SE | Carroll Dale Carroll Dale Carroll Wayne Dale is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at Virginia Tech from 1956–59. Dale was named second-team All American in 1958 and 1959.... |
| Jim Tyrer Jim Tyrer James Efflo Tyrer was an American football offensive tackle in the American Football League for the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs... |
LT | Bob Skoronski Bob Skoronski Robert Skoronski was a tackle in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers. Skoronski attended Indiana University and went to high school in his home state of Connecticut at Fairfield College Preparatory School.... |
| Ed Budde Ed Budde Edward Leon Budde , a product of Denby High School in Detroit, Michigan and later Michigan State University, was the number one draft pick of the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs in 1963.... |
LG | Fuzzy Thurston Fred Thurston Frederick Charles "Fuzzy" Thurston is a former American football guard in the National Football League who played for the Baltimore Colts and Green Bay Packers... |
| Wayne Frazier Wayne Frazier William Wayne Frazier is a former professional American football center who played four seasons in the American Football League from 1962–1967. He started with the San Diego Chargers, was traded to the Houston Oilers, then to the Buffalo Bills, and finally to the Kansas City Chiefs in 1966... |
C | Bill Curry Bill Curry William Alexander "Bill" Curry is an American football coach and former player. He is the current head coach at Georgia State University, which began competing in college football in 2010... |
| Curt Merz Curt Merz Curtis Carl Merz is a former college and professional American football guard who played seven seasons in the American Football League from 1962–1968... |
RG | Jerry Kramer Jerry Kramer Gerald Louis "Jerry" Kramer is a former professional football player, author and sports commentator, best remembered for his 11-year NFL career with the Green Bay Packers as an offensive lineman... |
| Dave Hill | RT | Forrest Gregg Forrest Gregg Alvis Forrest Gregg is a former American football player and coach in the National Football League. During a Pro Football Hall of Fame playing career, he was a part of six championships, five of them with the Green Bay Packers before closing out his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys with a win in... |
| Fred Arbanas Fred Arbanas Frederick Vincent Arbanas is an American former college and professional football player. Drafted out of Michigan State by the American Football League's Dallas Texans in 1961, he missed the 1961 season with injuries... |
TE | Marv Fleming Marv Fleming Marvin Fleming is a former professional American football tight end with the Green Bay Packers and the Miami Dolphins... |
| Otis Taylor Otis Taylor (American football) Otis Taylor was an American college and professional American football player, for Prairie View A&M University and the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs... |
FL | Boyd Dowler Boyd Dowler Boyd Hamilton Dowler is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League who played twelve seasons for the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins from 1959 to 1971... |
| Len Dawson Len Dawson Leonard Ray "Len" "Lenny" Dawson is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who attended Purdue University and went on to play for three professional teams, most notably the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs... |
QB | Bart Starr Bart Starr Bryan Bartlett "Bart" Starr is a former professional American football player and coach. Wearing #15, he was the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers from 1956 to 1971 and head coach from 1975 to 1983, compiling a record of 52–76–3 .... |
| Mike Garrett Mike Garrett Michael Lockett Garrett is a former American collegiate and professional football player who won the 1965 Heisman Trophy as a tailback for the University of Southern California Trojans. Garrett also played professional football for eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers... |
HB | Elijah Pitts Elijah Pitts Elijah Eugene Pitts was an American football halfback in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers, the Los Angeles Rams, and the New Orleans Saints. He played college football at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas.Pitts scored two touchdowns in the original Super Bowl... |
| Curtis McClinton Curtis McClinton Curtis McClinton is a former collegiate and professional American football player.McClinton attended Wichita High School North in Wichita, Kansas before attending the University of Kansas. A three-time All-Big Eight selection as a Jayhawk, McClinton led the team in rushing in 1959 and rushed for... |
FB | Jim Taylor |
| DEFENSE | ||
| Jerry Mays | LE | Willie Davis |
| Andy Rice Andy Rice Andy Rice was an American college and professional football player. He played collegiately for Texas Southern, and went to the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs in 1965... |
LT | Ron Kostelnik Ron Kostelnik Ronald Michael Kostelnik was an American football player.... |
| Buck Buchanan Buck Buchanan Junious "Buck" Buchanan was an American collegiate and professional Football defensive tackle. He played for the Kansas City Chiefs in the American Football League and in the National Football League .... |
RT | Henry Jordan Henry Jordan Henry Wendell Jordan was an American football defensive tackle who played for two teams, the Green Bay Packers and the Cleveland Browns, during his thirteen-year National Football League career. He played in the NFL from 1957 to 1969.Jordan attended Warwick High School in Newport News, Virginia... |
| Chuck Hurston Chuck Hurston Charles Frederick Hurston is a former professional American football defensive end who played seven professional seasons from 1964-1971. He was draffted by the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs in 1965... |
RE | Lionel Aldridge Lionel Aldridge Lionel Aldridge was a United States professional football player.He was drafted in 1963 after a standout college career at Utah State. One of the few rookies to start for coach Vince Lombardi, Aldridge enjoyed an eleven-year NFL career... |
| Bobby Bell Bobby Bell Bobby Lee Bell, Sr is a former professional American football linebacker/defensive end. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame, and was a member of the Chiefs' team that won Super Bowl IV against the Minnesota Vikings.- High school career :He excelled in... |
LLB | Dave Robinson |
| Sherrill Headrick Sherrill Headrick Sherrill Headrick was an American college and Professional Football player from Texas Christian University.In 1960, Headrick came to the American Football League's Dallas Texans as an undrafted linebacker... |
MLB | Ray Nitschke Ray Nitschke Raymond Ernest "Ray" Nitschke was a professional football player who played his entire career as a middle linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. Wearing #66, he played fifteen seasons, from 1958-72.... |
| E. J. Holub E. J. Holub Emil Joe Holub is a former American football center and linebacker in the American Football League and the National Football League . Collegiately, he played for Texas Technological College .-College:E.J. Holub graduated from Lubbock High School in 1957 and went on to attend Texas Technological... |
RLB | Lee Roy Caffey Lee Roy Caffey Lee Roy Caffey was an American football linebacker in the National Football League.He played college football at Texas A&M University where he led the Aggies in rushing with 371 yards in 1961. He played on the 1963 College All Star Football Team and in the 1963 Challenge Bowl and is a member of... |
| Fred Williamson Fred Williamson Fred "The Hammer" Williamson is an American actor, architect, and former professional American football defensive back who played mainly in the American Football League during the 1960s.-Football career:... |
LCB | Herb Adderley Herb Adderley Herbert Allen Adderley is a former American football cornerback who played for the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.... |
| Willie Mitchell | RCB | Bob Jeter Bob Jeter Robert DeLafayette Jeter, Jr. was a former American football cornerback in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. He was raised in Weirton, WV where he attended Weir High School... |
| Bobby Hunt Bobby Hunt Robert Kenneth "Bobby" Hunt is a former American football defensive back who played professionally in the American Football League. He played college football at Auburn University, and went on to play in the AFL for the Dallas Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, and Cincinnati Bengals between 1962 and 1969... |
LS | Tom Brown |
| Johnny Robinson | RS | Willie Wood |
Officials
- Referee: Norm SchachterNorm SchachterDr. Norm Schachter in Brooklyn, New York was an American football official in the National Football League for 22 years from 1954 to 1975. Over his career in the NFL, he worked three Super Bowls , 11 conference championship games, and was the referee for the first Monday Night Football game in...
(NFL) - Umpire: George Young (AFL)
- Head Linesman: Bernie UlmanBernie UlmanBernard "Bernie" Ulman was an American football and lacrosse official.-Personal:Ulman played as a lacrosse midfielder at the University of Maryland from 1938 to 1943 and also played football for the school...
(NFL) - Line Judge: Al Sabato (AFL)
- Field Judge: Mike Lisetski (NFL)
- Back Judge: Jack Reader (AFL)
Note: A seven-official system was not used before 1978.
Since officials from the NFL and AFL wore different uniform designs, a "neutral" uniform was designed for this game. These uniforms had the familiar black and white stripes, but the sleeves were all black with the official's uniform number. This design was also worn in Super Bowl II
Super Bowl II
The second AFL-NFL World Championship Game in professional American football, later to be known as Super Bowl II, was played on January 14, 1968 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida....
, but was discontinued after that game when AFL officials began wearing uniforms identical to those of the NFL during the 1968 season, in anticipation of the AFL-NFL merger
AFL-NFL Merger
The AFL–NFL merger of 1970 was the merger of the two major professional American football leagues in the United States at the time: the National Football League and the American Football League...
in 1970.