By Darin December 21, 1941, marked the culmination of the NFL season with a clash between two legendary franchises: the reigning champion Chicago Bears and the New York Football Giants. Held at the iconic Wrigley Field in Chicago, this championship game wasn’t just about securing a title; it etched two unforgettable historical footnotes into the league’s record books. While the Monsters of the Midway were expected to win, few anticipated the utter dominance they would display or the unusual event that would cap their scoring. Dive into the details of the decisive 37–9 victory that solidified the Bears’ dynasty and provided a final, nostalgic nod to football’s archaic past.
In 2025, we had Chicago historian Jeff Berkes join us to tell the tale of the 1941 title.
The Bears Roar to a Repeat
The 1941 NFL Championship quickly proved to be a one-sided affair. The George Halas-coached Chicago Bears, fresh off their 1940 title, overwhelmed the visiting Giants with a relentless offense and stifling defense. The final score of 37–9 reflected the gulf in class between the two teams on that cold afternoon. The victory secured the franchise’s fifth championship and, significantly, made the Chicago Bears the first team in NFL history to achieve back-to-back championships, confirming their status as the decade’s premier team. A crowd of 13,341 spectators witnessed history, both in the form of a dynasty being cemented and a legendary method of scoring being retired.
The final, decisive play of the scoring summary provided the game’s most enduring historical moment. Deep into the fourth quarter, with the game well out of reach for New York, Bears kicker Ray McLean stepped onto the field. Following a late Chicago touchdown, McLean did not attempt a standard placekick. Instead, he successfully converted the extra point via a drop kick. This successful conversion stands as the last recorded drop kick for an extra point in NFL history, a perfect, yet archaic, footnote to a dominant championship performance.
Conclusion
The 1941 NFL Championship Game remains a crucial milestone in Chicago Bears history, underscoring their superiority as the NFL’s first repeat champions. Yet, it is often remembered equally for the dramatic conclusion to the scoring—Ray McLean’s final successful drop kick. This game serves as a brilliant snapshot of football history, combining the relentless pursuit of dynasty with a nostalgic farewell to an old-school technique, all culminating in a dominant 37–9 victory over the New York Giants at Wrigley Field on December 21st.
Our thanks to Pro-Football-Reference.com and Newspapers.com
