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1961 Green Bay Packers season

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1961 Green Bay Packers season
General managerVince Lombardi
Head coachVince Lombardi
Home fieldCity Stadium
Milwaukee County Stadium
Results
Record11–3
Division place1st NFL Western
Playoff finishWon NFL Championship Game (Giants) 37-0

The 1961 Green Bay Packers season was their 43rd season overall and their 41st season in the National Football League. The club posted an 11–3 record under coach Vince Lombardi, earning them a first-place finish in the Western Conference. The Packers ended the season by defeating the New York Giants 37–0 in the NFL Championship Game, the first title game ever played in Green Bay. This was the Packers 7th NFL league championship.

The 1961 season was the first in which the Packers wore their trademark capital "G" logo on their helmets.[1]

Offseason

NFL Draft

Round Pick Player Position School
1 12 Herb Adderley Cornerback Michigan State
2 26 Ron Kostelnik Defensive Tackle Cincinnati
3 40 Phil Nugent Back Tulane
4 54 Paul Dudley Back Arkansas
4 56 Joe LeSage Guard Tulane
5 68 Jack Novak Guard Miami (FL)
6 82 Lee Folkins Tight End Washington
7 96 Lewis Johnson Back Florida A&M
9 124 Vester Flanagan Tackle Humboldt State
10 138 Buck McLeod Tackle Baylor
11 152 Val Keckin Back Southern Miss
12 166 John Denvir Tackle Colorado
13 180 Elijah Pitts Halfback Philander Smith
14 194 Nelson Toburen Linebacker Wichita State
15 208 Ray Lardani Tackle Miami (FL)
16 222 Clarence Mason End Bowling Green
17 236 Jim Brewington Tackle North Carolina Central
18 250 Arthur Sims Back Texas A&M
19 264 Leland Bondhus Tackle South Dakota State
20 278 Ray Ratkowski Back Notre Dame

Personnel

Staff

1961 Green Bay Packers staff
Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches


[2]

Roster

1961 Green Bay Packers roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

  •  3 Ben Agajanian K
  • 86 Boyd Dowler P
  • 46 Hank Gremminger KO
  •  5 Paul Hornung K
  • 85 Max McGee P
  • 24 Willie Wood PR
Rookies in italics
Source:[3]

Depth chart

Preseason

Week Date Opponent Result Score Game site TV Time Record Attendance
1 August 11, 1961 @ Dallas Cowboys W 30–7 Cotton Bowl 9:00 PM CDT 1–0 30,000
2 August 18, 1961 @ St. Louis Cardinals W 31–10 Sportsman's Park 8:30 PM CDT 2–0 31,056
3 August 26, 1961 Chicago Bears W 24–14 Milwaukee County Stadium 8:00 PM CDT 3–0 42,560
4 September 4, 1961 New York Giants W 20–17 City Stadium 8:00 PM CDT 4–0 33,452
5 September 9, 1961 vs. Washington Redskins
(at Columbus, Georgia)		 W 31–24 A. J. McClung Memorial Stadium 8:00 PM CDT 5–0 18,000

All times are CENTRAL time

Regular season

Despite being named NFL MVP, Paul Hornung was briefly lost to the military. In response to the construction of the Berlin Wall, the Department of Defense activated thousands of reservists. Two dozen football players were activated, including Paul Hornung, Boyd Dowler, and Ray Nitschke.[4][5] On November 14, Hornung was to report to Fort Riley in north central Kansas.[6] Wisconsin residents were so upset that Republican senator Alexander Wiley and Democratic congressman Clement Zablocki requested deferments for the players.[7] On October 18, the final word was that the players had to serve. Hornung missed the November 19 game in Green Bay against the Rams, but was flown from Fort Riley to Detroit for the November 23 Thanksgiving Day game against the Lions at Tiger Stadium.[8] Hornung kicked a field goal and two extra points in the 17–9 victory.[9][10]

Injured in late October, right guard Jerry Kramer was sidelined for the remainder of the season. Forrest Gregg moved in from right tackle to guard, and Norm Masters started at right tackle.

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Score Game site TV Time Record Attendance
1 September 17 Detroit Lions L 13–17 Milwaukee County Stadium CBS 12:30 PM CDT 0–1 44,307
2 September 24 San Francisco 49ers W 30–10 City Stadium CBS 1:00 PM CDT 1–1 38,669
3 October 1 Chicago Bears W 24–0 City Stadium CBS 1:00 PM CDT 2–1 38,669
4 October 8 Baltimore Colts W 45–7 City Stadium CBS 1:00 PM CDT 3–1 38,669
5 October 15 at Cleveland Browns W 49–17 Cleveland Stadium CBS 1:00 PM CDT 4–1 75,042
6 October 22 at Minnesota Vikings W 33–7 Metropolitan Stadium CBS 1:30 PM CDT 5–1 42,007
7 October 29 Minnesota Vikings W 28–10 Milwaukee County Stadium CBS 1:00 PM CST 6–1 44,112
8 November 5 at Baltimore Colts L 21–45 Memorial Stadium CBS 1:00 PM CST 6–2 57,641
9 November 12 at Chicago Bears W 31–28 Wrigley Field CBS 1:00 PM CST 7–2 49,711
10 November 19 Los Angeles Rams W 35–17 City Stadium CBS 1:00 PM CST 8–2 38,669
11 November 23 at Detroit Lions W 17–9 Tiger Stadium CBS 11:00 AM CST 9–2 55,662
12 December 3 New York Giants W 20–17 Milwaukee County Stadium CBS 1:00 PM CST 10–2 47,012
13 December 10 at San Francisco 49ers L 21–22 Kezar Stadium CBS 3:30 PM CST 10–3 55,722
14 December 17 at Los Angeles Rams W 24–17 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum CBS 3:30 PM CST 11–3 49,169

All times are CENTRAL time

Season summary

Week 1: vs. Detroit

Week 1: Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 7 7 0317
Packers 7 3 0313

at Milwaukee County Stadium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

  • Date: September 17
  • Game time: 12:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C), relative humidity 63%, wind 9 mph
  • Game attendance: 44,307
  • Referee: Bud Brubaker
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 2: vs. San Francisco

Week 2: San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
49ers 7 3 0010
Packers 7 13 3730

at City Stadium, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: September 24
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C), relative humidity 90%, wind 17 mph
  • Game attendance: 38,669
  • Referee: George Rennix
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 3: vs. Chicago

Week 3: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bears 0 0 000
Packers 7 3 7724

at City Stadium, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: October 1
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 46 °F (8 °C), relative humidity 76%, wind 19 mph
  • Game attendance: 38,669
  • Referee: John Pace
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 4: vs. Baltimore

Week 4: Baltimore Colts at Green Bay Packers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 7 007
Packers 7 10 141445

at City Stadium, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: October 8
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C), relative humidity 71%, wind 11 mph
  • Game attendance: 38,669
  • Referee: Bill Downes
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 5: at Cleveland

Week 5: Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Packers 14 7 72149
Browns 0 3 7717

at Cleveland Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: October 15
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 44 °F (7 °C), relative humidity 62%, wind 16 mph
  • Game attendance: 75,042
  • Referee: Ron Gibbs
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 6: at Minnesota

Week 6: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Packers 10 3 31733
Vikings 0 7 007

at Metropolitan Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: October 22
  • Game time: 1:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C), relative humidity 82%, wind 13 mph
  • Game attendance: 42,117
  • Referee: John Pace
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 7: vs. Minnesota

Week 7: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 7 3010
Packers 14 7 0728

at Milwaukee County Stadium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

  • Date: October 29
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), relative humidity 87%, wind 16 mph
  • Game attendance: 44,116
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 8: at Baltimore

Week 8: Green Bay Packers at Baltimore Colts
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Packers 7 7 0721
Colts 7 14 101445

at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

  • Date: November 5
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C), relative humidity 78%, wind 11 mph
  • Game attendance: 57,641
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 9: at Chicago

Week 9: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Packers 7 21 3031
Bears 7 0 71428

at Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: November 12
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), relative humidity 78%, wind 13 mph
  • Game attendance: 49,711
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 10: vs. Los Angeles

Week 10: Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rams 7 3 0717
Packers 0 28 0735

at City Stadium, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: November 12
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 26 °F (−3 °C), relative humidity 81%, wind 5 mph, wind chill 20 °F (−7 °C)
  • Game attendance: 38,669
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 11: at Detroit

Week 11: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Packers 0 7 01017
Lions 3 3 309

at Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: November 23
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m. CST
  • Game weather: 43 °F (6 °C), relative humidity 97%, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 55,662
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 12: vs. New York

Week 12: New York Giants at Green Bay Packers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Giants 7 10 0017
Packers 13 0 0720

at Milwaukee County Stadium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

  • Date: December 3
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C), relative humidity 87%, wind 16 mph
  • Game attendance: 47,012
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 13: at San Francisco

Week 13: Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Packers 0 7 7721
49ers 0 14 2622

at Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

  • Date: December 10
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C), relative humidity 72%, wind 12 mph
  • Game attendance: 55,722
  • Referee: Emil Heintz
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Week 14: at Los Angeles

Week 14: Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Rams
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Packers 7 7 01024
Rams 0 3 7717

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

  • Date: December 17
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), relative humidity 78%, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 49,169
  • TV: CBS
  • Box Score
Game information

Playoffs

Round Date Opponent Result Score Game site TV Radio Time Attendance
NFL Championship December 31, 1961 New York Giants W 37–0 City Stadium NBC NBC 1:00 PM CST 39,029

All times are CENTRAL time

Game summary

1961 NFL Championship Game vs. New York

1961 NFL Championship Game: New York Giants at Green Bay Packers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Giants 0 0 000
Packers 0 24 10337

at City Stadium, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: December 31
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 17 °F (−8 °C), relative humidity 82%, wind 10 mph, wind chill 6 °F (−14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 39,029
  • TV: NBC
  • Box Score
Game information

Standings

NFL Western Conference
W L T PCT CONF PF PA STK
Green Bay Packers 11 3 0 .786 9–3 391 223 W1
Detroit Lions 8 5 1 .615 7–4–1 270 258 L1
Chicago Bears 8 6 0 .571 7–5 326 302 W2
Baltimore Colts 8 6 0 .571 6–6 302 307 W1
San Francisco 49ers 7 6 1 .538 6–5–1 346 272 L1
Los Angeles Rams 4 10 0 .286 3–9 263 333 L1
Minnesota Vikings 3 11 0 .214 3–9 285 407 L2
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

Roster

Stats

Passing

Rushing

Receiving

Kicking

Punting

Kick Return

Punt Return

Interception

Team

Total Yards and Turnovers Passing Rushing

Awards and records

Milestones

References

  1. ^ Gridiron Uniform Database: Green Bay Packers
  2. ^ "All Time Coaches Database". Packers.com. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
  3. ^ "TV rosters". Milwaukee Sentinel. December 31, 1961. p. 2, sports.
  4. ^ "Paul Hornung to enter Army". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. November 4, 1961. p. 2.
  5. ^ When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss,p. 284, Simon & Schuster, 1999, ISBN 978-0-684-84418-3
  6. ^ When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss,p. 286, Simon & Schuster, 1999, ISBN 978-0-684-84418-3
  7. ^ When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss,p. 285, Simon & Schuster, 1999, ISBN 978-0-684-84418-3
  8. ^ When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss,p. 287, Simon & Schuster, 1999, ISBN 978-0-684-84418-3
  9. ^ When Pride Still Mattered, David Maraniss,p. 288, Simon & Schuster, 1999, ISBN 978-0-684-84418-3
  10. ^ "Green Bay tops Lions 17-9 to take commanding lead". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. November 24, 1961. p. 16.
  11. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-06-19. Retrieved 2010-06-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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