1950: Giants Prevail Against Redskins in Back-and-Forth Contest

The New York Giants were 2-0 as they traveled to Washington to face the Redskins on October 8, 1950. The Giants were coming off of three straight mediocre seasons since last topping the NFL’s Eastern Division, but an infusion of talent that was mainly due to the demise of the All-America Football Conference was making a difference for the better. It was especially true on defense, and long-time Head Coach Steve Owen’s “umbrella defense” had shut down the powerful Cleveland Browns, newcomers from the AAFC, the previous week.

Washington, coached by Herman Ball, was at 1-2 and didn’t appear to offer much of a challenge. HB Bill Dudley was a fine all-around player and end Hugh Taylor a quality receiver, but aging star QB Sammy Baugh was injured and inconsistent Harry Gilmer was starting in his place. After defeating the lowly Colts in the opener, they had lost badly to the Packers and Steelers.

It was a rainy day with a light crowd of 19,288 fans in attendance at Griffith Stadium.  In the first quarter, the Redskins drove 80 yards, keeping the ball on the ground, and Gilmer finished it off with a quarterback sneak from less than a yard out for a touchdown. Bill Dudley added the extra point for the early 7-0 lead. The Giants responded with a 70-yard possession that ended with HB Forrest Griffith, who ran effectively along the way with gains of six and seven yards, scoring on a two-yard plunge. Ray Poole tied the game with the point after.

In the second quarter, the Redskins got a break when HB Jim Ostendarp fumbled a punt and DT Paul Lipscomb recovered, giving Washington the ball at the New York nine. Two plays later, Gilmer threw to Dudley (pictured below) for a four-yard TD and Dudley also added the extra point to make it 14-7, which remained the score at halftime.

In the third quarter, New York QB Charlie Conerly (pictured at top) passed to end Bob McChesney to reach the Washington 13 and the Giants pounded away on the ground from there until HB Gene Roberts blasted over from two yards out for a touchdown. Poole again added the extra point and it was a 14-14 contest.

The Redskins had an opportunity to regain the lead when Dudley kicked a 22-yard field goal, but they chose to take the points off the board due to an offside penalty on the Giants that gave them a first down at the New York 11. However, they were unable to reach the end zone and, once again calling upon Dudley to try for three, came up empty when he missed.

Dudley didn’t miss early in the fourth quarter when he kicked a 19-yard field goal to make it 17-14 in favor of Washington. Down by three, and with less than six minutes to play, the Giants advanced 92 yards. Conerly threw twice to HB Randall Clay, for 37 and 20 yards, and finally it was Conerly tossing a short pass to Roberts, who ran the remaining distance untouched for a 39-yard touchdown. Poole converted once more to put the visitors ahead by four points.

There was still time for the Redskins and HB Frank Spaniel returned the ensuing kickoff 40 yards to the New York 49. But after advancing to the 35, FB Chuck Drazenovich fumbled and the Giants recovered to seal the 21-17 win.

The statistics reflected the closeness of the contest. New York had the edge in total yards (288 to 260) while the Redskins led in first downs (18 to 15). Both teams completed seven passes apiece, with the Giants having a 168 to 105 edge in yards, and Washington outgained New York on the ground by 155 yards to 120. However, the Redskins turned the ball over three times, to one by the Giants.

New York lost two of its next three games but didn’t lose another on the way to a 10-2 record that tied with the Browns atop the American Conference (the re-named Eastern Division). But after sweeping Cleveland in the season series, the Giants lost a tight 8-3 playoff to the Browns. As for the Redskins, the loss to New York was the third of eight straight (including the rematch between the teams). Washington ended up 3-9 and at the bottom of the conference.

1950: Layne & Walker Lead Lions to Win Against Steelers

The Detroit Lions were coming off of a big opening-week win as they hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 24, 1950. Coached by Bo McMillin, the Lions had not had a winning season in five years, but there were several promising newcomers on the roster. QB Bobby Layne (pictured above) was obtained from the New York Bulldogs, HB Bob “Hunchy” Hoernschemeyer came over from the defunct AAFC, and the rookie crop included the last two Heisman Trophy winners, HB Doak Walker and end Leon Hart. There were also good young veterans such as end Cloyce Box, MG Les Bingaman, and DHB Don Doll. Detroit thrashed Green Bay the previous week by a score of 45-7.

The Steelers, under the guidance of Head Coach John Michelosen, were operating out of the NFL’s last remaining single-wing offense. They also had a tough defense with a line anchored by DE Bill McPeak who was joined by rookie DT Ernie Stautner. Pittsburgh put up seven points in losing to the Giants in the opening game.

There were 19,600 fans in attendance at Briggs Stadium. The contest was a defensive struggle, although Detroit moved the ball more effectively. In the first quarter, the Lions missed a scoring opportunity when Doak Walker missed a 35-yard field goal attempt. Interceptions of Bobby Layne passes in Pittsburgh territory, at the two and the 20, kept the Lions off the board as well. Finally, Detroit advanced the ball to the Pittsburgh five when time ran out and the game remained scoreless at halftime.

In the third quarter, and following a fumble by Detroit FB Ollie Cline at the Pittsburgh 28, the Steelers struck for the game’s first score. TB Bob Gage had runs of 10 and 18 yards before passing to end Elbie Nickel for a 43-yard touchdown. Joe Geri added the extra point.

The Steelers had another shot when DB Jim Finks intercepted a pass by QB Fred Enke at midfield and returned it to the Detroit 25. A second-down pass by back Charlie Seabright for Gage in the end zone just missed the mark and, on fourth down, Geri was wide on a 27-yard field goal attempt.

Now the Lions put together an 80-yard drive that culminated in a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter when Layne threw to Walker, who just pulled away from safety Lynn Chandnois for an 11-yard touchdown. Walker also added the game-tying point after.

Neither team seemed capable of adding points during the final period, and when the Lions were forced to punt with three minutes remaining to play, a tie appeared likely. But, in the game’s pivotal play, Gage fumbled after fielding the kick when hit by Detroit end Dick Rifenberg and end Barney Hafen recovered at the Pittsburgh 15. The home team managed to pick up three yards in three plays before Doak Walker came on to boot a 20-yard field goal and the Lions held on to win by a final score of 10-7.

Detroit had significant edges in total yards (372 to 176) and first downs (24 to 8). But while the Lions outgained Pittsburgh’s single-wing attack on the ground (265 to 54), the Steelers had more yards through the air (122 to 107). Detroit also turned the ball over five times, to two by Pittsburgh.

Bobby Layne completed 10 of 24 passes for 78 yards but also ran for 118 yards on 15 carries. Doak Walker (pictured at right), who scored all of Detroit’s points, contributed 87 yards on 16 rushing attempts. For the Steelers, Bob Gage was successful on 8 of 22 passes with a touchdown while rushing for 45 yards on 11 carries, although the pivotal fumble on the punt diminished an otherwise solid performance.

The Lions split their next two games and were at 3-1 before losing four straight. They finished strong for a 6-6 record that placed fourth in the National Conference. Pittsburgh also went 6-6, tying for third with the Eagles in the American Conference. With the league’s lowest-scoring offense, the Steelers maintained the pattern established in the contest against Detroit as the defense typically kept games close.  

Bobby Layne led the league in pass attempts (336) and yards (2323). His 16 touchdown passes ranked fourth, and he added another four TDs carrying the ball as he ran for 250 yards. Doak Walker continued to be a prolific scorer, leading the NFL with 128 points. He accounted for 11 touchdowns, 8 field goals, and 38 extra points and received first-team All-NFL honors from the Associated Press and UPI as well as selection to the Pro Bowl.  

Highlighted Year: Dan Edwards, 1950

Offensive End, New York Yanks

Age: 24

3^rd season in pro football, 1^st in NFL & with Yanks

College: Georgia

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 195

Prelude:

Edwards caught 59 passes for 904 yards (15.3 avg.) and 10 touchdowns in college, including 44 for 565 yards and four TDs as a senior in 1947. He was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 1948 NFL draft (ninth overall) but signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers of the AAFC and had a quiet rookie year with a poor team, catching 23 passes for 176 yards. With the dissolution of the Dodgers in the offseason, Edwards joined the Chicago Hornets and was more productive with 42 pass receptions for 573 yards and three TDs in 1949. The AAFC folded after the season and Edwards moved on to the Yanks of the NFL for 1950, where he started at right end in a potent passing offense.

1950 Season Summary

Appeared in all 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 52 [2] 
Most receptions, game - 7 (for 165 yds.) at LA Rams 9/22

Yards – 775 [5]
Most yards, game - 165 (on 7 catches at LA Rams 9/22 

Average gain – 14.9 [17]

TDs – 6 [6, tied with five others]

Scoring

TDs – 6 [18, tied with eight others]

Points – 36

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP

Pro Bowl

Yanks went 7-5 to finish third in the NFL National Conference while placing second in the league in passing yards (2653), total yards (4485), TDs (51), and scoring (366 points).

Aftermath:

With the loss of starting QB George Ratterman in 1951, the Yanks dropped to last place and Edwards had a lesser season, catching 39 passes for 509 yards (13.1 avg.) and three touchdowns. The club folded and once again Edwards was forced to move as a result. He joined the replacement franchise, the Dallas Texans, for 1952, but appeared in only one game with the ill-fated club. Edwards spent the next two seasons with the Baltimore Colts and caught a total of 75 passes for 843 yards (11.2 avg.) and four touchdowns. He left for the CFL in 1955 and was with the British Columbia Lions for the last three years of his career, catching a total of 105 passes for 1710 yards (16.3 avg.) and six TDs. He was a first-team All-WIFU selection in 1956. Overall in the AAFC Edwards accounted for 65 pass receptions for 749 yards (11.5 avg.) and three TDs and in the NFL caught 169 passes for 2149 yards (12.7 avg.) and 13 touchdowns. The 1950 season remained the only one in which he received All-NFL and Pro Bowl honors. Edwards went into coaching in Canada, including a stint as head coach with British Columbia in 1958.

--

Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

[Updated 2/21/17]

1950: Rams Defeat Bears in National Conference Playoff

The Los Angeles Rams hosted the Chicago Bears on December 17, 1950 in a playoff game to decide the champion of the NFL National Conference (the renamed Western Division). Both teams had finished the regular season with 9-3 records, but the Bears had beaten the Rams both times they faced off, including three weeks earlier at Chicago. 

Los Angeles topped the Western Division in 1949, losing the league title to the Eagles, and Clark Shaughnessy was replaced as head coach by Joe Stydahar, formerly an outstanding player for the Bears. The Rams had an explosive offense that scored as many as 70 points in a game and set league records with 64 touchdowns and 466 points. The quarterback tandem of Bob Waterfield (pictured above) and Norm Van Brocklin was superb and there were excellent receivers in ends Tom Fears and Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch as well as HB Glenn Davis, once a Heisman Trophy winner at Army, who also topped the club in rushing. The defense, however, was not nearly as impressive. Furthermore, Waterfield was unable to practice during the week before the game due to the flu and was still showing the effects during the pregame warmup.

The Bears were owned and coached by “the Papa Bear”, George Halas, and depended on a solid running attack, led by HB George Gulyanics, behind a good line along with a tough defense. QB Johnny Lujack was suffering from a shoulder injury that affected his passing ability but he could still run well and had scored 11 touchdowns on the ground.  

There were 83,501 fans in attendance on a sweltering 92-degree day at the LA Memorial Coliseum. Norm Van Brocklin started the game at quarterback for the Rams and in the first quarter Bob Waterfield kicked a 43-yard field goal to give Los Angeles the early lead. The Bears, establishing their strong ground game, responded by driving 65 yards in eight plays, the last of which was a 22-yard touchdown carry by HB Al Campagna.

LA’s high-powered offense was having difficulty getting on track and an apparent 63-yard run by Glenn Davis was nullified by a holding penalty. Van Brocklin completed just two of 10 passes during the opening period and Waterfield relieved him in the second quarter, bringing results from the first series that he was behind center. The Rams went 76 yards, most of it occurring when Waterfield fired a pass to Tom Fears that covered 67 yards for a TD. Waterfield then kicked the extra point to put the home team up by 10-7.

On their next possession, the Rams drove to another score. Again it was Waterfield to Fears (pictured at left) for a 32-yard touchdown and Waterfield booted the point after. The Rams took a 17-7 lead into halftime.

The Bears still couldn’t add points and Waterfield’s ability as a punter came into play as his booming kicks kept Chicago pinned on its side of the field. Late in the third quarter, Waterfield threw to HB Verda “Vitamin T.” Smith for a 35-yard gain and followed up with a short toss to Fears that the end turned into a 23-yard TD as he broke five tackles along the way. Los Angeles held a formidable 24-7 lead.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, the Bears finally got on the board again at the conclusion of a 12-play, 76-yard drive that featured the running of George Gulyanics and HB Julius “Julie” Rykovich. FB Fred “Curly” Morrison powered the last four yards for a touchdown and Lujack kicked the extra point to make it a ten-point contest.

Chicago again advanced deep into LA territory, but was stopped at the two yard line with six minutes remaining as the Rams’ defense rose to the occasion. Twice the Bears came up empty on drives into Los Angeles territory. Tensions between the teams eventually boiled over as in the final seconds a free-for-all broke out and it took several minutes for the officials to restore order. In the end, the Rams came away with an impressive 24-14 win.

The Bears actually outgained LA (422 yards to 371), with 229 yards of their total coming on the ground. Chicago also had more first downs (23 to 11). But LA gained 297 yards through the air and the defense accounted for six sacks, totaling 52 yards in losses, to none for the Bears. Chicago also turned the ball over three times, to two by the Rams.

Bob Waterfield had a fine overall performance as he completed 14 of 21 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns while giving up one interception. He also was successful on all of his placekicks and averaged 42.4 yards on seven punts, including a long kick of 67 yards. Tom Fears was equally outstanding with 7 catches for 198 yard and all three TDs. The running game was an afterthought and FB Dick Hoerner led with just 18 yards on 7 carries.

For the Bears, Johnny Lujack was successful on 15 of 29 throws for 193 yards but was intercepted three times in addition to the six sacks. George Gulyanics (pictured above) led the team with 94 yards on 15 carries and also with 6 pass receptions for 67 yards. Julie Rykovich contributed 67 yards on 14 rushing attempts.

The Rams advanced to the NFL Championship game and lost a close contest against the Cleveland Browns, newcomers from the AAFC that topped the Giants in the American Conference. Los Angeles returned to the title game for a third straight year in 1951 and this time came away winners over the Browns. Chicago dropped to fourth place in ’51 with a 7-5 record. The Bears next returned to the postseason in 1956.

1950: Giants Erupt for 16 Points in Fourth Quarter to Defeat Steelers

The New York Giants were a refurbished club as they commenced a new NFL season against the Steelers at Pittsburgh on September 17, 1950. Head Coach Steve Owen was back for a 20^th year and the Giants had gone 6-6 in ’49 following two losing records. With the demise of the rival All-America Football Conference, New York had picked up some key players from the AAFC’s Yankees, including DT Arnie Weinmeister (pictured at right) and defensive backs Otto Schnellbacher, Tom Landry, and Harmon Rowe. Rookie FB Eddie Price joined HB Gene “Choo-Choo” Roberts in the backfield while QB Charlie Conerly was back for a third season.

The Steelers were coached by John Michelosen, entering his third year, and remained the NFL’s last holdout in running a single-wing offense. With Joe Geri typically lining up at tailback, Pittsburgh was a low-scoring, ground oriented team, and it was thanks to a strong defense that the Steelers had accumulated a 6-5-1 record in 1949.

There were 24,699 fans at Forbes Field for the season-opening contest, and they saw a scoreless first quarter. While the Steelers couldn’t move offensively, a 74-yard quick kick pinned the Giants back at their 10. Early in the second quarter, the Steelers got their initial first down of the game on a pass by tailback Bob Gage to end Charlie Mehelich. The possession amounted to nothing, and the Giants missed out on a score when Ray Poole’s field goal attempt from 40 yards fell short.

Inside the last two minutes of the first half, a long pass by Charlie Conerly was intercepted by DHB Howard Hartley, running at full stride. He was pushed into the end zone by Gene Roberts, and it was ruled that Hartley had caught the ball on the field of play before crossing the goal line. Thus, the Giants picked up a safety despite giving up an interception.

New York led by 2-0 at halftime as both offenses were stymied. The Steelers, in particular, managed only one first down in the first half.

Pittsburgh started the third quarter off with a promising drive that reached the New York 29 in six plays, but a fumble by FB Fran Rogel was recovered by safety Otto Schnellbacher to snuff out the threat. The Steelers made out better on their next series, advancing 65 yards in seven plays. A short third down pass by tailback Tom “Shorty” McWilliams was caught by Rogel, who gained 63 yards to the New York two. The Giants stiffened on defense and it took four tries before FB Jerry Shipkey (pictured at left) finally penetrated the end zone for a touchdown. Joe Geri added the extra point and the score stood at 7-2 heading into the fourth quarter.

It looked bad for the home team when Gage fumbled and the Giants recovered at the Pittsburgh six. But the Steelers came through with a goal line stand and the visitors came up short at the one foot line, turning the ball over on downs. However McWilliams, back in punt formation from his own end zone during the ensuing series, was supposed to fake the kick and run to his right, but the snap sailed past him and over the end line for another safety. Pittsburgh’s lead was narrowed to 7-4 with 12 minutes remaining to play.

Once again the Steelers turned the ball over as DT Arnie Weinmeister recovered a fumble by HB Jerry Nuzum at the Pittsburgh six. And once again the defense kept the Giants out of the end zone, with the Steelers regaining possession on downs at their one. Once more the home team was forced to punt from its own end zone, with a limping Joe Geri back deep, but he muffed the snap and DT Al DeRogatis recovered for the Giants for a touchdown. Poole kicked the extra point and New York was back on top by a score of 11-7.

The Steelers went to the air in response as tailback Jim Finks completed two first-down passes to end Elbie Nickel. But another pass by Finks was intercepted by DHB Harmon Rowe, who fumbled after returning it 32 yards, and while OT Frank Wydo recovered for the Steelers, he fumbled in turn. DE Ray Poole recovered for the Giants and lateraled to safety Tom Landry (pictured at right), who ran 37-yards for a touchdown to complete the odd sequence. Poole added the point after and, with less than a minute remaining in the contest, the game was clinched for New York, which won by a final score of 18-7.

Total yards were nearly even in the defensive struggle, with the Steelers holding a 198 to 197 edge, and each team accumulated 10 first downs apiece. The Giants were more effective running the ball, with 167 yards to Pittsburgh’s 34, but Charlie Conerly completed only three of 13 passes for 30 yards as he faced a steady rush from Pittsburgh’s defense. New York recorded seven sacks, to none by the Steelers, and Pittsburgh also turned the ball over a staggering nine times, to two suffered by the visitors, with six coming on a total of seven fumbles.

The Giants won their next two games before losing to the Steelers in the rematch in New York, but they lost only one more game on the way to a 10-2 record that tied them for first in the American Conference with Cleveland. However, after defeating the Browns twice during the regular season (making them the one team that appeared to have solved the juggernaut that came to the NFL from the AAFC), New York lost in the Divisional playoff.

Pittsburgh continued to have problems putting points on the board and was the league’s lowest-scoring team, although again the rugged defense allowed the club to remain competitive. The Steelers broke even at 6-6 to finish in a third place tie in the conference with Philadelphia.

1950: Walker Scores All 24 Points for Lions in Win Against Packers

The Detroit Lions were struggling, having lost four straight games, as they hosted the Green Bay Packers on November 19, 1950. Coached by Bo McMillin for the third year, the Lions were nevertheless assembling talent that would make them a formidable team over the next few seasons. Fiery and talented QB Bobby Layne had been obtained from the New York Bulldogs and HB Bob “Hunchy” Hoernschemeyer arrived from the defunct All-America Football Conference. Rookies included guard Lou Creekmur and the last two Heisman Trophy winners, end Leon Hart from Notre Dame and all-purpose HB Doak Walker (pictured at right) out of Southern Methodist.

Walker had been a high school teammate of Layne in Dallas, Texas and then a three-time All-American at SMU who won the Heisman Trophy as a junior in 1948. An injury hindered his performance in ’49, but he still came in third in the voting for the coveted award. He had been a tremendous all-around talent in college, but at 5’11” and 170 pounds, there were questions as to whether he had the size to succeed as a pro, and there were doubts about his speed as well. But thus far, Walker was productive as a halfback who often caught passes out of the backfield, kick returner, and placekicker and punter.

The Packers had a new head coach in Gene Ronzani, only the second in their history after the departed Curly Lambeau. They had a talented rookie quarterback in Tobin Rote and also benefited from the demise of the AAFC, adding end Al Baldwin and HB Billy Grimes. But the defense was dreadful, and after winning two of their first three games, the Packers were in the midst of a five-game losing streak. They lost badly to the Lions in their previous meeting.

There was a small crowd of 17,752 fans in attendance on a dark and rainy day at Briggs Stadium. The opening period was scoreless, but both offenses cut loose in the second quarter. First, Bobby Layne threw a pass to Doak Walker for a 33-yard touchdown and Walker added the extra point. Green Bay responded with a series highlighted by Tobin Rote passing to HB Jug Girard for a 55-yard gain. Two plays later Rote connected with end Steve Pritko for a three-yard TD and Ted Fritsch tied the score with the PAT.

Shortly thereafter, Green Bay got the ball back again when DHB Bob Forte intercepted an option pass by Walker at the Detroit 30. Rote threw to Al Baldwin for 28 yards and FB Jack Cloud added another touchdown for the Packers as he dove into the end zone from two yards out. Fritsch converted to put Green Bay ahead by seven. With time running out in the first half, Walker kicked a 35-yard field goal and the score was 14-10 in favor of the Packers at halftime.

In the third quarter, Layne threw to Walker again for a 20-yard TD that put the Lions back in front by 17-14, Walker once again successfully kicking the extra point. Layne was injured, however, and Fred Enke came on in relief.

Following the ensuing kickoff, Green Bay advanced 69 yards but Detroit’s defense stopped two runs from the one yard line to force the Packers to turn the ball over on downs. Pinned deep in their own territory, the Lions punted and the Packers regained possession with favorable field position at the Detroit 35. Once again Green Bay moved effectively, but this time a Rote pass into the end zone was intercepted by DHB Don Doll.

Three plays later, the Packers got a break when DT Joe Spencer recovered a fumble at the Detroit 23. Following a running play, Rote completed a pass to HB Larry Coutre for 19 yards. Early in the fourth quarter, Cloud scored again for the Packers, this time plunging into the end zone from a yard out. Fritsch’s PAT gave the visitors a four-point edge.

The Lions put together a 73-yard drive and, with the game down to the last two minutes, Walker struck once more with an eight-yard touchdown catch of an Enke pass. It was Walker again adding the point after and Detroit came away with a 24-21 win, Walker having accounted for every point.

The Lions had the edge in total yards (376 to 309) and first downs (19 to 16). Bobby Layne and Fred Enke combined to pass for 241 yards for the Lions while Tobin Rote (pictured at left) completed 13 of 31 passes for 184 yards in defeat. However, the teams combined for 11 turnovers, with Detroit accounting for six to Green Bay’s five.

The Lions won their next two games before dropping the season finale to end up even with a 6-6 record, which placed fourth in the National Conference. Green Bay won the following week before dropping the last two contests and tying for fifth in the conference with the 49ers at 3-9.

With the 24-point performance, Doak Walker’s scoring total was up to 91 and thus set a new franchise record, besting the 81 points by Bill Dudley the previous year. He went on to lead the NFL with 128 points and was fourth with 1262 all-purpose yards. Walker scored 11 touchdowns (five rushing, six receiving), kicked 8 field goals in 18 attempts, and was 38-of-41 on extra points. Continuing to display the all-around skills that had made him a college legend, he rushed for 386 yards on 83 carries (4.7 avg.), caught 35 passes for 534 yards (15.3 avg.), added another 302 yards returning kicks, and even intercepted a pass on defense that he returned 40 yards. Walker was a first-team All-NFL selection by the Associated Press and UPI and received second-team honors from the New York Daily News. He was also selected for the Pro Bowl.

1950: Browns Defeat Giants in Conference Playoff

On December 17, 1950 the Cleveland Browns hosted the New York Giants in a playoff game to determine the champion of the NFL’s American Conference (the re-named Eastern Division). The Browns, coached by the innovative Paul Brown, had joined the NFL after dominating the All-America Football Conference, winning all four league titles before that league folded. Now in the older league, Cleveland had proven the skeptics wrong by compiling a 10-2 record. However, the Giants were the one NFL team that had solved the Browns, winning both regular season encounters. With identical records, they were meeting to determine who would move on to the league championship game against the winner of the National Conference playoff (the Rams and Bears tied for first as well).

Cleveland had a well-balanced offense directed by QB Otto Graham and including the league’s rushing leader in FB Marion Motley. Ends Mac Speedie and Dante Lavelli were fine receivers. The Browns were tough on defense, too, and to top things off, Lou Groza (pictured above) was the NFL’s top placekicker, leading in both in number of field goals and accuracy.

The demise of the AAFC was of big help to the Giants, as they were able to add some outstanding talent to their roster that included DT Arnie Weinmeister and defensive backs Otto Schnellbacher, Harmon Rowe, and Tom Landry. The draft brought a good addition to the offense in rookie FB Eddie Price, who joined veteran HB Gene Roberts in the backfield. Head Coach Steve Owen developed the innovative “umbrella” defense with the Browns in mind, and it had worked well in the two regular season encounters as it stifled Cleveland’s passing attack.

There were 33,054 fans in attendance on a bitterly cold day at Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium, with the temperature in the teens. The turf was frozen and the players on both teams wore sneakers. The field had been covered prior to the game and was clear, while the end zones were white with snow.

HB Dom Moselle returned the opening kickoff 26 yards to the Cleveland 35 and the Browns started off with a 10-play, 59-yard drive that reached the New York four before stalling. Lou Groza, wearing a sneaker on his left foot and football shoe on his right (kicking) foot, booted an 11-yard field goal to give Cleveland the early lead.

The Giants, utilizing the A-formation on offense, were unable to get out of their end of the field for the remainder of the first half. QB Charley Conerly resorted to a quick-kick punt that traveled 72 yards to get out of one jam and, with the teams settling into a battle for field position, the score remained 3-0 at halftime.

Early in the third quarter, the Giants reached the Cleveland 49 thanks to a run by Gene Roberts, but a holding penalty set New York back. New York also lost its best receiver, end Bill Swiacki, to an injury that further weakened the offense.

On the first play of the final period, the Giants again drove into Cleveland territory. Roberts (pictured below) had runs of six and 26 yards as the visitors reached the 16 yard line. But they came up empty when Eddie Price was thrown for a three-yard loss and a lineman caught a Conerly pass, resulting in a penalty.

On their next possession, the Giants appeared on their way to a score when Roberts broke free for a 34-yard gain, but was hauled down by MG Bill Willis at the Cleveland four. The Browns held from there, with several penalties prolonging the series.  Among the penalties, a potential touchdown pass for the Giants was wiped out by an offside infraction and an interception in the end zone by DB Tommy James was nullified by a defensive holding call. A motion penalty backed the Giants up and HB Joe Scott collided with his own blocker for a further loss of yardage. Finally, New York settled for a 20-yard field goal by Randy Clay that tied the score.

As time ran down, the Browns utilized Otto Graham’s mobility to good effect. The former college tailback ran for a total of 37 yards in the series that went 43 yards and ended with Groza kicking a 28-yard field goal with less than a minute remaining on the clock.

The Browns got an additional two points on a safety when Conerly was gang-tackled in his end zone while fading back to try a desperation pass with eight seconds to go. Cleveland won the game and the conference title by a final score of 8-3.

In a defensive struggle with little passing offense on either side, the Browns had the edge in total yards (182 to 154) while New York had more first downs (11 to 9). Cleveland had just 29 net passing yards, to 13 for the Giants, with the Browns recording four sacks to two for New York. The Giants turned the ball over twice and Cleveland suffered one turnover.

Otto Graham went to the air only eight times and had three completions for 43 yards with one interception, but also ran the ball for 70 yards on 8 carries. HB Rex Bumgardner contributed 39 yards on 12 attempts and HB Dub Jones added 32 yards on 12 runs, while Marion Motley was held to only 12 yards on 7 carries. Dante Lavelli was the top receiver with two catches for 35 yards. Bill Willis (pictured below) had a huge performance on defense for the Browns, regularly breaking through the New York line as well as preventing a touchdown by catching Gene Roberts from behind on his breakaway run (Paul Brown declared Willis to be “the greatest lineman in American football” afterward).

For the Giants, Charlie Conerly was successful on three of 12 passes for 48 yards and had two intercepted. Gene Roberts ran for 76 yards on 12 carries and Eddie Price added 65 yards on 21 attempts. Three receivers had one catch apiece, and end Bob McChesney had the longest gain of 19 yards.

“It’s all on the scoreboard,” was Steve Owen’s terse reaction to the loss.

The Browns went on to defeat the Rams in a closely-fought NFL Championship game. They would finish back atop the American Conference in 1951, although their string of league titles would end in the rematch with Los Angeles. New York was 9-2-1 in ’51, ending up in second place. The playoff loss to the Browns would prove to be the last postseason game for the Giants with Steve Owen as coach. He was fired following a lackluster 1953 season after 23 years at the helm that resulted in ten postseason appearances and two NFL titles.

1950: Browns Edge Rams for NFL Championship

It was a momentous occasion on December 24, 1950 as the Cleveland Browns hosted the Los Angeles Rams for the NFL Championship. The Browns were in their first season in the National Football League, having dominated the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) in all four years of its existence. They were one of three AAFC teams to join the older league, along with the 49ers and Colts, and many of the staid leaders of the NFL had anticipated that the upstart Browns would be put in their place.

Head Coach Paul Brown’s team had thrashed the Philadelphia Eagles, league champions in 1948 and ’49, in the opening game of the season and finished up with a 10-2 record. That still left them tied atop the American Conference with the New York Giants – the one team that had managed to beat them, and twice at that. Cleveland managed to get past the Giants in the playoff, however, in a tight 8-3 contest and now was poised to vie for yet another title in their new league. The innovative passing offense was directed by QB Otto Graham (pictured above), throwing to ends Mac Speedie and Dante Lavelli. FB Marion Motley was the league’s top rusher and Lou Groza the most proficient placekicker (as well as an outstanding tackle).

The team representing the National Conference was the Los Angeles Rams, who had gone 9-3 and also had to win a tiebreaking playoff against the Bears to advance. The Rams, coached by Joe Stydahar, were the league’s highest-scoring team with a record-setting total of 466 points and 64 touchdowns and were especially noted for their passing attack that was paced by the quarterback tandem of Bob Waterfield and Norm Van Brocklin. End Tom Fears led a talented group of receivers that included end Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch and HB Glenn Davis as he set a single-season record with 84 catches. Although Van Brocklin had suffered broken ribs in the playoff game against Chicago (a fact that they kept hidden), LA was explosive and a worthy test for the Browns.

The turf at Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium was frozen on a 25-degree day with a heavy wind blowing off of Lake Erie, thus causing many of the players to wear sneakers for better traction, and attendance was only 29,751. The Rams started off fast on the first play from scrimmage as Davis, at first faking as though he would block, went deep and Waterfield connected with him for an 82-yard touchdown. It was a shock to the Browns and their fans as LA held a 7-0 lead after just 27 seconds. The Browns came right back, however, going 70 yards in six plays. Graham ran for 21 of those yards and threw to HB Dub Jones for 31 yards and a touchdown. With Lou Groza’s extra point, it was all tied up at 7-7 at three minutes into the contest.

The offensive show kept going with the Rams now driving 80 yards in eight plays. Waterfield threw to Fears for a 44-yard gain and fleet HB Verda “Vitamin T” Smith took off for a 15-yard carry to the Cleveland four. FB Dick Hoerner pounded the last three yards for a TD that put Los Angeles back in front at 14-7. There had been three touchdowns in the first 15 plays from scrimmage as both clubs fired off their offensive arsenals.

Cleveland again fought back on a drive that continued into the second quarter. The kickoff following LA’s score was returned to the Browns’ 35 yard line and a pass interference call on DHB Woodley Lewis, combined with a completion to Speedie, set up a 37-yard TD pass from Graham to Lavelli (Lavelli pictured below). However, the snap on the extra point attempt was high, possibly caught by a gust of wind, and holder Tommy James was unable to spot it for Groza to kick. His pass into the end zone fell incomplete and the Rams remained in front by 14-13.


LA again drove deep into Cleveland territory, but after reaching the seven yard line they were moved back by a penalty and Waterfield was intercepted by safety Ken Gorgal to end the threat. The Browns were unable to penetrate midfield and the Rams regained possession with good field position. Again they moved the ball well and reached inside the Cleveland 10, but the Browns defense stiffened and Waterfield missed on a 15-yard field goal attempt. The Rams led by the one-point margin at halftime.

The Browns went in front early in the third quarter, capping a 77-yard drive with another Graham-to-Lavelli touchdown pass, this one covering 39 yards. The extra point was successful this time and Cleveland was ahead by 20-14. However, the Rams scored two TDs in a matter of 21 seconds to seemingly take control of the game.

First, LA drove 71 yards and, following a Waterfield pass to Smith that covered 38 yards, relied on their power-running game as Hoerner carried the ball seven straight times, starting from the Cleveland 17 and ending with a one-yard scoring blast on fourth down. On the next play from scrimmage by the Browns, Motley fumbled and DE Larry Brink picked up the ball and ran six yards for a touchdown. It was 28-20 heading into the fourth quarter – and the failed extra point attempt seemed especially significant.

Cleveland’s comeback began with a big defensive play as DB Warren Lahr picked off a Waterfield pass five minutes into the final period. The Browns converted two fourth downs, with Graham passing for seven yards on fourth-and-four and running for a first down on fourth-and-three until, on the eighth play of the series, HB Rex Bumgardner made a diving catch that landed him just inside the end zone for a 14-yard TD. With another successful PAT, it was now a one-point game at 28-27.

Following a short possession by the Rams, Cleveland had the ball once more with three minutes left on the clock. It seemed as though the Browns would score again as they advanced inside the LA 30. But as Graham took off out of the pocket, he was blindsided by LB Milan Lazetich and fumbled. Lazetich recovered and it appeared that Los Angeles would prevail – if they could run out the clock.

Hoerner was twice stopped for no gain and then Davis ran for six yards off tackle, forcing the Rams to punt. Waterfield launched a 51-yard kick that DB Cliff Lewis returned to the Cleveland 32. Graham and the offense returned to the field with about 1:50 to work with. Forced out of the pocket on the first play, Graham ran 14 yards for another first down. Throwing sideline passes, he hit Bumgardner for 15 yards and Jones for 16 to the LA 23. Another throw to Bumgardner put the ball at the 11 yard line – easy field goal range for Groza.

Graham called time out and, with the ball on the left hashmark, the quarterback carried for a yard toward the center of the field to better line up the three-point attempt. Groza’s kick was perfect from 16 yards, and for only the second time in the game Cleveland was ahead.

There were still 20 seconds left as the Browns kicked off one last time. HB Jerry Williams returned it to the LA 47. With time for one last desperation play, Coach Stydahar sent Van Brocklin out on the field, with his stronger throwing arm. The second-year quarterback threw the ball as far as he could, but Lahr intercepted at the Cleveland five yard line. The Browns, four-time champions of the AAFC, were now NFL champs by a score of 30-28.

While both teams generated 22 first downs apiece, the Rams outgained Cleveland by 407 yards to 373. However, LA also turned the ball over five times (all on interceptions), to four by the Browns (three fumbles and an interception).

Otto Graham completed 22 of 33 passes for 298 yards with four touchdowns and an interception and also ran for 99 yards on 12 carries. Dante Lavelli caught 11 passes for 128 yards and two TDs. Marion Motley was held to just nine yards on six attempts, however – in fact, aside from Graham, the Browns gained a mere 15 yards on 13 rushing attempts. Halfbacks like Dub Jones (4 catches, 80 yards, 1 TD) and Rex Bumgardner (4 catches, 46 yards, 1 TD) were more effective as receivers out of the backfield.

For the Rams, Bob Waterfield went to the air 31 times and completed 18 for 312 yards but with four picked off as opposed to one for a touchdown. Tom Fears had 9 receptions for 136 yards while the ex-Heisman Trophy winner from Army, Glenn Davis, gained 82 yards on just two catches thanks to the long scoring reception to start the game. Dick Hoerner (pictured below) ran for 86 yards on 24 carries that included two scores.


Both Paul Brown and NFL Commissioner Bert Bell pronounced that it was the greatest game they had ever seen, and indeed it was an intensely played contest between two outstanding clubs that featured the passing game – in particular, the precision aerial attack of the Browns based on short throws to the sidelines.

The Browns appeared in the next five title games, although their winning streak in such contests ended in 1951 when they lost a rematch with the Rams.

1950: Ratterman Passes Yanks to Win Over Lions

The NFL had a new look in 1950, following the merger with the All-America Football Conference that brought three new clubs into the league. There were now 13 teams and there was realignment as the Eastern and Western Divisions were renamed American and National Conferences, respectively. Two National Conference teams that had showed promise in the early going met on September 29 in New York.

The host New York Yanks were owned by Ted Collins, who had operated the unsuccessful Boston Yanks from 1944 to ’48 and then started a new franchise called the New York Bulldogs in 1949. The Bulldogs, sharing the Polo Grounds with the Giants, went a dismal 1-10-1, but had undergone a significant transformation for ’50. Collins purchased the assets of the AAFC’s New York Yankees, and while the Giants were given first choice on the team’s best players, it still meant a significant improvement in personnel. Only three players from the ’49 Bulldogs remained on the roster of the team that was now called the Yanks, having moved into Yankee Stadium. The club also got a new head coach in Red Strader, who had guided the AAFC club to an 8-4 record in 1949.

The visiting Detroit Lions were far better established in the NFL, but were also undergoing a transformation. Under Head Coach Bo McMillan, the team had a new quarterback, Bobby Layne, who played for the Bulldogs the previous year. HB Bob “Hunchy” Hoernschemeyer was added from the AAFC and the rookie crop included HB Doak Walker, end Leon Hart, and linemen Lou Creekmur and Thurman McGraw.

The Lions had won their first two games while the Yanks split their first two contests on the road.

There were 12,482 fans at the Polo Grounds on a Friday night, where the game was shifted in order to not disturb the Yankee Stadium turf for the forthcoming World Series. In the first quarter, QB George Ratterman (pictured above), another ex-AAFC star, threw to end Dan Edwards for a 45-yard gain that set up a 21-yard touchdown pass to HB George Taliaferro. However, the Lions evened the score when DHB Bob Smith returned an intercepted pass 35 yards for a TD.


In the second quarter, Ratterman twice connected with FB Sherman Howard for scores of 36 and 31 yards to give New York a 21-7 halftime lead. The Yanks poured it on in the third quarter as Layne was tackled in his end zone by DB Duke Iverson for a safety and then Ratterman tossed his fourth touchdown pass, of six yards to end Jack Russell. It was 30-7 entering the final period.

In the fourth quarter, Detroit finally got on the board again when Walker went in from a yard out and added the extra point. However, Howard promptly returned the ensuing kickoff 89 yards for a TD and the Yanks maintained a commanding lead of 37-14.

New York’s last touchdown was set up when DHB Spec Sanders, yet another former AAFC star, intercepted a Layne pass at the Detroit 24 and returned it to the five. Taliaferro went the rest of the way on a pitch-out. The Lions scored one last, meaningless TD as HB Lindy Pearson ran in from two yards out, and the final tally was a convincing 44-21 win for the Yanks.

New York outgained the Lions (359 yards to 267) and had the edge in first downs (16 to 14). Both teams turned the ball over three times and were penalized on five occasions.

George Ratterman completed 15 of 29 passes for 264 yards and four touchdowns, with three intercepted. For Detroit, Bobby Layne was successful on just 10 of 30 throws for 118 yards.

The Yanks continued to put points on the board and win games, peaking at 6-1 before losing four straight. They ended up at 7-5 and in third place in the National Conference. The Lions were right behind in fourth with a 6-6 record.

George Ratterman led the NFL with 22 touchdown passes, but also 24 interceptions (tied with Jim Hardy of the Cardinals and Green Bay’s Tobin Rote). He finished second in passing yards (2251) to Bobby Layne (2323).

Sherman Howard, the second-year back who scored three touchdowns, ended up with 9 TDs for the year. He ran for 362 yards on 71 attempts (5.1 avg.) and three touchdowns, caught 12 passes for 278 yards (23.2 avg.) and five TDs, and had the score on the kickoff return (the only kick return for a touchdown by any of the Yanks).

While the Yanks were the better team on this day, and ended up with the better record (although the Lions won handily in the rematch in Detroit), the fate of the two franchises sharply diverged. By 1952, the Lions were on their way to the NFL Championship, while the Yanks no longer existed. Ratterman and several other players jumped to the Canadian League, and the team suffered on the field accordingly in ‘51. While Ratterman eventually rejoined the club, the final record was a dismal 1-9-2. Never a good draw even when the team played well, Ted Collins pulled the plug on the Yanks and sold the franchise back to the league.

1950: Justice & LeBaron Lead College All-Stars to Win Over Eagles

The 17th installment of the College All-Star Game on August 11, 1950 was notable for being the first to be televised nationally across a network of 29 stations. However, not much of a contest was anticipated.

The reigning NFL champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, had won the previous year by a decisive 38-0 score and, having repeated as league champions, were 14.5-point favorites coming into the game. Coached by Earle “Greasy” Neale and featuring the running of HB Steve Van Buren on offense as well as a stingy defense, the Eagles were a solid veteran club.

The College All-Stars, coached by Eddie Anderson of Holy Cross, had an outstanding group of players that included many who would go on to star in the NFL. At quarterback was the undersized (5’7”) Eddie LeBaron of the College of the Pacific. Linemen included ends Gordie Soltau of Minnesota and Notre Dame’s Jim Martin and Leon Hart, tackle Lou Creekmur from William & Mary, and Minnesota’s tackle Clayton Tonnemaker and center Leo Nomellini. And while Heisman-winning HB Doak Walker of SMU was in the backfield, it was another halfback, North Carolina’s Charlie “Choo-Choo” Justice (pictured above), who would have the most notable impact on the game.

There were 88,885 in attendance at Soldier Field for the Friday night game - even at that number, it was the lowest crowd total since the game was played at Northwestern University in 1944, and while the game was blacked out on Chicago-area television, there were writers who blamed the broadcast for hurting attendance.

The All-Stars scored first, on their second possession, putting together a seven-play, 54-yard drive in the opening quarter that was highlighted by runs of 31 and 12 yards by Justice and that ended with 230-pound FB Ralph Pasquariello of Villanova scoring from the one yard line.

In the second quarter, the All-Stars got a break when DB Hall Haynes of Santa Clara recovered a fumble by Eagles HB Clyde “Smackover” Scott at the Philadelphia 35. From there, LeBaron, fading far back to evade Eagles tacklers, fired a pass to Justice that went for a 35-yard touchdown, with Oklahoma end Jim Owens throwing a key block along the way. That put the All-Stars improbably ahead by 14-0 with less than five minutes remaining in the half.

There was no scoring in the third quarter as the NFL champs had difficulty moving the ball against the fired-up All-Star defense. Finally, in the fourth quarter the Eagles got on the board. Starting at their 43 yard line, QB Tommy Thompson completed a pass to FB Joe Muha that covered 20 yards. A few plays later Van Buren plunged into the end zone from a yard out and, with Cliff Patton’s successful extra point, the score was 14-7.

The All-Stars responded with a scoring drive of their own. Taking over at their 17, Justice took a handoff and, reversing field, ran for a 28-yard gain to the 45. LeBaron passed to North Carolina end Art Weiner to get to the Philadelphia 20. After the diminutive quarterback ran the ball to the 15, the drive stalled, but Soltau, who had kicked both of the extra points, was successful on a 24-yard field goal attempt that essentially put the game away. The last gasp for the Eagles ended with an interception of a Thompson pass by Cornell DB Hillary Chollet at the All-Star three yard line. The College All-Stars came away with the 17-7 win, their first in three years.

The All-Stars outgained the Eagles on the ground, 221 yards to 85, although the Eagles led in first downs, 14 to 8. While the All-Stars intercepted three Philadelphia passes without surrendering any of their own, they also fumbled the ball away three times, to one suffered by the Eagles.

The MVP for the All-Stars was Charlie Justice, who gained 133 yards on just nine carries, including runs of 47, 31, and 28 yards, and had the one touchdown reception. Eddie LeBaron played impressively at quarterback, running well and making effective use of pitchouts to his backs. While he completed just two of 9 pass attempts, they were big ones and covered 75 yards, including the one TD.

For the Eagles, Tommy Thompson completed 15 of 28 passes for 131 yards and was intercepted three times. Steve Van Buren was held to just 32 yards on 13 carries.

“Little LeBaron’s pitchouts to both the right and left were the plays that beat us,” said Greasy Neale afterward. “The All-Stars were keyed awfully high. We didn’t run our plays good at all, and we weren’t thinking too good, either.”

“It was the greatest All-Star team I ever saw,” summed up NFL Commissioner Bert Bell afterward.


LeBaron (pictured at left) left to report for active duty with the Marines the day after the game, but would join the Washington Redskins in 1952. Despite his small size, the ball-handling skill that he showed against the Eagles served him well as a pro, and he lasted 11 seasons with the Redskins and Dallas Cowboys. One of LeBaron’s teammates in Washington was Justice, who went directly to the NFL in 1950 and played four seasons.

The sluggish performance by the Eagles proved to be a harbinger of things to come. After winning three consecutive Eastern Division titles and two league championships, they dropped to 6-6 in 1950.

At this point in the series, the win over Philadelphia was the sixth, against nine losses, for the All-Stars, and there had been two ties. It would not remain competitive for much longer as the All-Stars won just three more of the remaining 25 games before the series ended in 1976.

1950: Giants “Umbrella” Defense Shuts Down the Browns

After dominating the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) for four seasons, winning all four league title games, the Cleveland Browns took up residence in the NFL in 1950 and continued to win there as well. The Browns opened at Philadelphia, against the defending NFL champion Eagles, and beat them handily, 35-10. The following week they rolled over the Baltimore Colts, who also came over from the AAFC, by a 31-0 score.

Under innovative Head Coach Paul Brown, Cleveland had been utilizing a precision passing attack that NFL teams had not seen before (a prototype of the modern West Coast offense). QB Otto Graham threw to ends running sideline routes and backs on flare-out passes that the predominant defenses of the time – the 5-3-3 and 5-2-4 (Eagle) devised by Eagles Head Coach Greasy Neale – were unable to stop. Not only were the passes difficult to defend against, but by forcing the defensive linemen and linebackers to spread out, they became vulnerable to trap and draw plays up the middle.

On October 1 the Browns hosted the New York Giants at Municipal Stadium. However, the Giants came prepared. Head Coach Steve Owen (pictured above) devised a new defensive scheme in response to Cleveland’s passing attack. In addition to four defensive backs, as in the Eagle defense, he put six players on the line, but the ends often dropped back into pass coverage (like modern outside linebackers) and the middle guard was frequently backed off the line, creating a new position – middle linebacker.

The new scheme came to be called the “Umbrella” defense as, when diagramed, the defensive backs were fanned out behind the middle linebacker, who appeared to be the stem of the defensive umbrella. Essentially a 6-1-4 alignment, when the ends dropped back into coverage it became like a modern 4-3-4 defense.

The defensive backfield was made up of solid performers that included halfbacks Emlen Tunnell and Harmon Rowe and safeties Tom Landry and Otto Schnellbacher. John Cannady was the pioneering middle linebacker, behind a line anchored by All-Pro tackles Arnie Weinmeister and Al DeRogatis. The new defense proved more than adequate to the task against the Browns.

There were 37,647 fans in attendance on a humid but dry day as the Giants scored in the first quarter. Capping a 51-yard drive in which HB Gene Roberts rushed for 34 yards, FB Eddie Price bulled over for a touchdown from three yards out, but the extra point attempt was missed due to a fumbled snap (Roberts, pictured below, proved to be the key player on the Giants offense, rushing for 77 yards on 12 carries).


That was all that the Giants could muster, playing conservatively against the equally tough Cleveland defense, but the Browns were unable to advance into New York territory at all during the first half. Graham failed to complete any of his first seven passes.

Cleveland finally made it across the 50 yard line on three occasions during the second half, but twice gave up the ball on downs, at the New York 38 and 12 yard lines, to end long drives. On the last advance, late in the fourth quarter, the Browns were at the Giants’ eight when Graham and FB Marion Motley collided in the backfield when attempting a hand off on a trap play and fumbled; LB Dick Woodard recovered for the Giants to end the threat. New York held on to win by a 6-0 score.

It was the first time the powerful Browns had ever been shut out. They also had not lost a home game since three seasons before, in 1947 to the Los Angeles Dons.


Safeties Schnellbacher and Landry (pictured at left), who had both faced the Browns in the AAFC, played especially well in thwarting the vaunted Cleveland passing attack. Otto Graham completed just 12 of 30 passes for 127 yards and was intercepted three times.

Afterward, a philosophical Paul Brown said “At least we weren’t beaten by a big score. We just lost to a better team. New York was ready for us.”

The Giants proved to be ready when the teams met again in New York three weeks later, winning 17-13. No other club was able to beat Cleveland and the Giants lost games to the Steelers and Cardinals along the way; as a result, both clubs ended up tied atop the American Conference with 10-2 records at the end of the regular season. However, in the tiebreaking playoff, the Browns finally beat the Giants in another defensive struggle, 8-3, and went on to win the NFL Championship game against the Rams.

The new defense didn’t take hold right away, but the 4-3-4 became the predominant alignment by the end of the decade and, along with the 3-4-4 that was adopted by some teams starting in the 1970s, continues to be used.

The mastermind of the “Umbrella” defense, Steve Owen, was dismissed as head coach of the Giants following the 1953 season after 23 years. His innovative defensive coaching, combined with a preference for conservative, run-oriented offenses produced a 151-100-17 record (2-8 in the postseason).

1950: Curly Lambeau Leaves the Packers

February 1, 1950 marked the end of a significant chapter in Green Bay Packers history as Earl “Curly” Lambeau resigned after being the team’s only head coach, going back even before the franchise joined the NFL in 1921. It was the end of a sometimes tumultuous and often successful reign that was undermined by the need for Lambeau to cede more and more control of the team he had founded due to financial considerations.

The story of Curly Lambeau and the Packers began in 1919, when he was in college at Notre Dame playing under legendary Head Coach Knute Rockne and backing up the equally legendary (and ill-fated) fullback George Gip. Because of his ability as a passer, Rockne moved him to quarterback, but a tonsillectomy forced him to leave school. He never went back, taking a job in a meat packing plant in his hometown of Green Bay instead. Glad to be making an income but still wanting to play football, he obtained the backing of his employer, the Indian Packing Company, to field a company team that played others in the area. They were good, often winning by huge scores.

In 1921, the company, which had been bought by the Acme Packing Company, paid for entry into the fledgling National Football League (then called the American Professional Football Association). The team held its own on the field but was in a precarious financial situation, resulting in a corporation being created in 1923 that sold stock to keep the franchise afloat.

Meanwhile, with Lambeau as player-coach, the Packers became the first pass-oriented NFL team. The rules were not favorable to developing a passing offense in the 1920s – passing could only be done from five yards behind the line of scrimmage; an incompletion out of bounds, or two incomplete passes in the same series, meant giving up possession; and the ball was more round and far less sleek than its modern counterpart. Yet Lambeau had the Packers throwing from any point on the field, on any down, and by 1929 they were fielding a championship team.

Lambeau stepped aside as a player in ’29, as the club went 12-0-1 and won the first of three consecutive league titles. Acquiring players who often were considered malcontents with other teams, he won with eventual Hall of Famers Cal Hubbard at tackle, guard Mike Michalske, and the speedy and carefree halfback Johnny McNally (aka Johnny Blood).

In the 1930s, with the arrival of divisional play, rule changes that opened up the passing game, and a slimmer football, the Packers regularly contended in the NFL’s Western Division and won three more championships in 1936, ’39, and ’44. The passing tailbacks who succeeded Lambeau, Arnie Herber and Cecil Isbell, were outstanding and the arrival of trailblazing end Don Hutson in 1935 gave them pro football’s best deep threat to throw to.

Off the field, the franchise still faced recurring financial difficulties. The situation became more acute after 1945 – Hutson retired, and the rival All-America Football Conference (AAFC) went into operation, driving up the cost of talent. The team’s performance began to suffer, and the Packers sank to 3-9 in 1948, the first losing season since 1933 – it was the precursor of things to come. The colorful and excitable Lambeau was increasingly in conflict with the directors who ran the club, especially after buying the Rockwood Lodge outside of town in ’47, a training facility where the players were also housed. Moving the players out of town rankled, and there were complaints that Lambeau’s outside insurance and real estate activities were interfering with his coaching duties.

The financial situation was once again so desperate in 1949 that an intrasquad game was organized for Thanksgiving Day that pulled in enough cash to keep the club afloat. The Packers went 2-10 and the conflict between Lambeau and the team’s directors reached the breaking point. A week before his resignation, the Rockwood Lodge burned down, a symbol of the coming break between founding coach and franchise.

The team’s directors wasted no time in replacing Lambeau with Gene Ronzani, the first of three ineffective head coaches in what became something of a lost decade in the ‘50s for the club. The unwieldy leadership-by-committee structure proved ineffective, and when Vince Lombardi was hired as head coach in 1959, he was also made general manager and given necessary control of the club with outstanding results.

Lambeau also wasted no time in moving on, taking over as head coach of the Chicago Cardinals for the 1950 season. The team went 5-7 in his first season and was 2-8 when he was let go in ’51 after more losses on the field and bickering with the front office. After two seasons in Washington, his coaching career ended following a 6-5-1 showing in 1953. Adept at running single-wing offenses, Lambeau had difficulty adapting to the T-formation, and it showed in the won-lost records.

The bitterness that marked his departure from Green Bay and the mediocre showings with the Cardinals and Redskins can’t overshadow what Lambeau accomplished in 29 seasons with the Packers. His record was an outstanding 209-104-21 for a winning percentage of .668, and the team won six championships in that span – since that includes years when the postseason didn’t yet exist, his playoff record was just 3-2. Of those 29 seasons, only three of them ended with a losing record – two of those being Lambeau’s last two years with the team. Adding in his overall tally as an NFL head coach, he was second only to Chicago’s George Halas at the time with 226 wins against 132 losses and 22 ties. Moreover, his approach to the passing game helped set the stage for today’s aerial-oriented offenses. And he found ways to keep the Packers operating as other small-city Midwestern teams dropped away.

While Lambeau expressed an interest in returning to coach the Packers in 1959, the directors didn’t take the idea seriously and hired Lombardi instead. But Lambeau’s contributions were not forgotton; upon his death in 1965, Green Bay’s City Stadium was renamed Lambeau Field. Just prior to that, in 1963, he was a charter inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

1950: Marion Motley Averages Over 17 Yards Per Carry vs. Steelers

Marion Motley had been a formidable fullback for the Cleveland Browns during the team’s four years of domination in the All-America Football Conference, and that didn’t change when the club moved to the NFL in 1950.

Motley’s ability was never more vividly displayed than on October 29, 1950 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium as he rushed for 188 yards on just 11 carries for an average of 17.09 yards per attempt. Along the way he scored on runs of 33 and 69 yards as the Browns, with a 4-2 record entering the contest, decimated the Steelers by a score of 45-7. Cleveland would go on to win the NFL Championship in ’50, adding to their list of titles in two leagues.

For Motley, the first “modern” fullback with speed to back up his formidable power, it wasn’t surprising that he would set a record pertaining to yards per carry. Used to devastating effect on draw plays as part of the sophisticated (for its time) Cleveland offense under Head Coach Paul Brown, he had never averaged less than five yards per attempt in the AAFC with a staggering high of 8.2 yards per carry (601 yards on just 73 attempts) in 1946. He ended up leading the NFL in both rushing (810 yards) and yards per carry (5.8) in 1950, and for his career gained an average of 5.7 yards each time he ran the ball (AAFC and NFL).

Motley was one of the first four African-American players to break the pro football color line in 1946 (one of the others was teammate Bill Willis). Considering his talent as a ground-gaining fullback, it’s a bit surprising that he didn’t carry the ball more often (his career high was 157 carries in 1948, when he led the AAFC in rushing with 964 yards). Coach Brown valued Motley as a blocker (by all accounts, he was an exceptional pass blocker) and preferred to utilize his running ability strategically; one can only speculate at what his rushing totals might have been had he carried more regularly.

Motley’s record lasted over 50 years, until broken by Atlanta QB Michael Vick in 2002 (17.3 yards per carry on 10 attempts for 173 yards). Oddly, the record that Motley broke had been set just three weeks before when Bill Grimes of the Packers rushed for a 16.7-yard average (10 carries for 167 yards) on October 8, 1950 against the New York Yanks.