1937 NFL Championship
The 1937 NFL Championship: Rookie Sammy Baugh's aerial assault lifts Washington over Chicago 28–21.
The 1937 NFL Championship Game was the fifth championship game of the National Football League (NFL), held December 12 at Wrigley Field in Chicago with an attendance of 15,878. The game featured the Western Division champions Chicago Bears (9–1–1) and the Eastern Division champions Washington Redskins (8–3), with the Redskins winning 28–21.
Quick Facts
- Year
- 1937
- Opponent
- N/A (Lions did not play in the championship)
- Head coach
- Dutch Clark
- Key player
- N/A (Lions did not participate; Bobby Layne and Bob Brazelton were not on the 1937 roster)
Lore & Background
Prior to the 1937 season, Redskins owner George Preston Marshall moved the team from Boston to his hometown of Washington, D.C. The Redskins selected quarterback Sammy Baugh from TCU in the first round of the 1937 NFL draft, and the rookie led the league in passing with a then-record 81 pass completions, and Redskins halfback Cliff Battles led the NFL in rushing with 874 yards. The Bears had a nine-win season under head coach George Halas. Baugh stated that the field conditions were 'the worst field I ever saw.' Learning from the 'Sneakers' game of 1934, both teams were prepared with a supply of basketball shoes. The temperature at kickoff in Chicago was 24 °F (−4 °C).
Reader's Guide
The Redskins scored first when Baugh slipped the ball to Battles on a reverse for a 7-yard touchdown. The Bears came back as halfback Jack Manders scored fourteen points: a touchdown run, a touchdown pass reception, and two extra points, giving Chicago a 14–7 halftime lead. In the second half, Baugh threw for 335 yards (18-for-33). In the fourth quarter, the score was tied 21–21, before Baugh threw a 35-yard touchdown strike to Ed Justice for the final 28–21 lead. The crowd of 15,870 was far below the anticipated 40,000 due to inclement weather. Each player on the winning Redskins team received $225, while the Bears received $127 each.
Did You Know?
- Sammy Baugh, a rookie, led the Redskins to victory with 335 passing yards.
- The attendance was 15,878, far less than the 120,000 that attended the Chicago Prep Bowl weeks earlier.
- Both teams wore basketball shoes to cope with the frozen, jagged field conditions.
- The game is listed as the second of 'Ten Games That Mattered' in the book The First Fifty Years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final result of the 1937 NFL Championship game?
The Detroit Lions defeated the New York Giants with a decisive score of 9 to 0 at the Polo Grounds in New York City. This victory secured the franchise's first-ever league title following their relocation from Portsmouth, Ohio.
Who was the head coach leading this championship team?
George 'Potsy' Clark served as the head coach who guided the squad to this monumental triumph. His leadership was instrumental in transforming the club into a premier contender just three years after moving to Detroit.
Where did the 1937 title game take place?
The match was held at the Polo Grounds stadium located in New York City. Playing on neutral ground, the Lions managed to secure a shutout victory away from home.
How does this era define the early history of the franchise?
This championship stands as a defining moment that established the club's legacy immediately after arriving in Detroit. It proved the organization could succeed quickly following their move from Portsmouth, Ohio.
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