Once they stepped out on that field... the emotions ran high
December 4, 1960 - Wrigley Gum Field in Chicago
Compiled from old newspapers and magazines:
PACKERS RALLY IN 2nd HALF, DROP BEARS 41-13
The Packers and Bears' Rivalry dates back to 1921!
Packer legend Vince Lombardi began his coaching career against the Chicago Bears in the 1959 season opener, and after Green Bay won 9-6, his players carried him off the field on their shoulders.
When the Packers came to Wrigley Field the next year they had a mediocre 5-4 record, and had lost to the Bears 17-14 in the 1960 opener. The Bears with its 5-3-1 record were installed a one touchdown favorite.
The Packers hadn't won in Wrigley Field since 1952, but once the teams stepped out onto the field... the adrenaline started flowing... noses were bloodied... 'black and blue' was the order of the day.
In one glorious game on December 4, 1960, the legend of the Green Bay Packers under Lombardi was born.
Emerging quarterback Bart Starr threw his first two touchdown passes of the season, and completed 17-23 passing attempts, good for 227 yards. Starr, one of the top quarterbacks in pro football history, rallied the Packers and they scored 28 second half points.
Halfback Jim Taylor became a household name when he ran for 140 yards in 24 carries.
Fullback/Halfback/Kicker Paul Hornung stroked everyone's imagination when he scored 23 points en-route to the Packers 41-13 victory over the Bears. Hornung scored two TD, kicked two field goals and five extra points to give him 152 points in 10 games, a NFL record.
The Packers then on to win their next two games and won the Western Division Title and played in their first NFL Championship Game under Lombardi. The Pack lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the title game, but went on to win championships under Lombardi in 1961-1962-1966-1967.
The Chicago Bears failed to score a single point in their next two games and finished the 1960 season at 5-6-1.
Footballhistorian.com - The History of Pro Football
The Packers coach, Earl 'Curly' Lambeau had all the qualities of a perfect pro football coach. A leader of men, he was a tireless worker... and scary as hell.
Green Bay Packers History
Lambeau was Green Bay's very first coach. He started in 1921 and produced a winning record every season until 1933, when the squad finished at 5-7-1. In his long 33-year coaching career, 1921-1953, all with the Packers, Curly Lambeau's teams won six NFL Championships.
His 1936 championship team rolled thru the schedule and were 10-1-1 for the year.
Green Bay 1936 Roster:
Wayland Becker... Hank Bruder... Frank Bulter... Cal Clemens... Paul 'Tiny' Engebretsen... Lon Evans... Milt Gantenbein... Charles 'Buckets' Goldberg...
Lou Gordon... Arnie Herber... Clarke Hinkle... Don Hutson... Swede Johnson... Walt Kiesling... Joe Laws... Russ Letlow... Harry Mattos... Johnny 'Blood' McNally...
Paul Miller... Bob Monnett... Tony Paulekas... Al Rose... George Sauer... Bernie Scherer... Herm Schneidmel... Ade Schwammel... Champ Seibold... Ernie Smith... George Svendsen...
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Players Bios:
* Bob Monnett, Tailback, Halfback, Defensive Back - a speedy runner, the 5-ft, 9-inch, 182-pounder was signed out of Michigan State back in 1933... a model of endurance, Monnett caught passes, ran and passed with the football, as well as kicked Extra points and field goals. In his rookie year he scored 34 points, on 3 rushing plays, returned a punt for another, and kicked 10 extra points - and hurled 3 touchdown passes. In 1936, he completed 20-of-52 passes, including 4 TD. Bob Monnett career: 90 points scored, Green Bay 1933-1938.
* Lon Evans, Guard, Tackle - out of Texas Christian Univ., the 6-ft, 2-inch, 223-pounder was one of the leading linemen during the 1930s... a fierce competitor, he was one of the reasons of the resurgence of the team's rise to power in the mid-'30s. Evans gained All-Pro status three consecutive years - 1935-1937... played five NFL seasons, all in Green Bay - 1933-1937.
* Charles 'Swede' Johnson, Fullback, Linebacker, Guard - a gutsy performer, the muscular 5-ft, 10-inch, 196-pounder was a noted hard-tackling linebacker... a native of nearby Appleton, Wisconsin, he attended Elmhurst and Marquette before debuting with Green Bay in 1931... due to the Depression he missed the entire '32 season, then played with Bears in '33 and rejoined Packers in '34... The 'Swede' rushed for 4 career touchdowns and gained 726 yards on 236 attempts... played with Pittsburgh his final two NFL seasons 1939-40.
* Wayland Becker, Offensive and Defensive End - played with Bears and Brooklyn from 1934-35 before signing with Packers in time for their championship '36 season... a solid defensive end, Becker caught two career touchdown passes in his six year NFL career. Born in Soporton, Wisconsin, he attended Green Bay East High School before Attending Marquette U.
* Cal Clemens, Blocking Back, Defensive Back - starred at Central High in Oklahoma City and USC before joining Green Bay in '36... used mainly as a blocking back on offense and as a defensive linebacker, Clemens scored one touchdown and one extra point in the Packs' championship season... and left the NFL after his rookie year. footballhistorian.com - Pro Football History
