The 1953 NFL Season

The 1953 NFL season unfolded as a compelling narrative of familiar rivalries and emerging storylines, all leading to a dramatic championship clash in the Motor City. Fresh off their 17-7 victory over the Cleveland Browns in the 1952 title game, the Detroit Lions entered the 1953 campaign as the reigning champions, facing the annual preseason tradition of battling a team of college all-stars. This exhibition at Soldier Field on August 14th drew an astounding crowd of 93,318 spectators, a testament to the growing popularity of the league and the allure of the reigning champions. The Lions showcased their prowess early, defeating the college standouts 24-10, setting an optimistic tone for their title defense.

In this episode, football historian Randy Snow of the World of Football Kalamazoo podcast joins us once again to discuss the 1953 season's journey.

The regular season saw the Lions establish themselves as a formidable contender again, finishing with a strong 10-2 record. Their journey began with victories over the Pittsburgh Steelers and the newly relocated Baltimore Colts. The Colts, formerly the Dallas Texans, marked their inaugural season in Baltimore, becoming the franchise that endures to this day. Similar to the previous year, the Lions navigated a stretch of games against the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams, culminating in a pivotal week six matchup against the Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This contest drew a near-record crowd of 93,751, mirroring the preseason spectacle. However, the game was marred by an incident late in the action when Rams receiver Bob Boyd took a swing at Lions defensive back Jim David. David retaliated, leading to his ejection. Concerned for David's safety amidst the angry home crowd, Lions assistant coach George Wilson orchestrated a clever switch, having David don a different jersey number on the sideline to avoid being targeted by disgruntled fans after the game.

Despite the volatile atmosphere in Los Angeles, the Lions demonstrated resilience, embarking on a six-game winning streak to conclude their regular season. Their only two defeats came at the hands of the Rams, both home and away, highlighting the Rams as their primary nemesis. A notable moment during the winning streak occurred in week eight against the Green Bay Packers when Lions head coach Buddy Parker was absent due to the passing of his father. Nevertheless, the team persevered. They later secured a decisive Thanksgiving Day victory over the Packers and closed out the season with wins against the Chicago Bears and the New York Giants, solidifying their impressive 10-2 record and their claim to the Western Conference title.

The stage was set for the NFL Championship Game, hosted by Detroit at Briggs Stadium on December 27th, 1953. The elements played a significant role, as the field was a muddy and slippery expanse, with temperatures hovering in the low thirties. Despite the challenging conditions, a crowd of 54,577 enthusiastic home fans filled the stadium, eager to witness their Lions battle for a second consecutive championship. Tickets for the contest ranged from a modest $3 to $7, a stark contrast to modern NFL prices. The Cleveland Browns, boasting a superior 11-1 regular-season record, were installed as six-point favorites, with many anticipating they would finally reclaim the title after consecutive losses in the previous two championship games.

The game commenced with an unexpected sight: Lions quarterback Bobby Layne handling the kickoff duties. The Lions drew first blood, with Doak Walker scoring on a one-yard run and adding the extra point for a 7-0 lead in the opening quarter. However, a Detroit fumble deep in their own territory in the second quarter led to a 13-yard field goal by Browns legendary kicker Lou Groza, narrowing the score to 7-3. Walker responded later in the quarter with a 23-yard field goal, extending the Lions' lead to 10-3 at halftime. A curious play in the second quarter saw Layne catch a 20-yard touchdown pass from Walker, but the score was nullified due to a then-existing rule prohibiting a T-formation quarterback from being an eligible receiver, resulting in a penalty. Notably, Walker accounted for all of Detroit's ten first-half points. Groza missed a long 51-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter, a potential turning point in the game.

The third quarter saw the Browns mount a comeback. Running back Harry Jagielski scored on a nine-yard touchdown run, and Groza's successful extra point tied the game at 10-10. The fourth quarter became a tense battle of field position and kicking prowess. Groza connected on two more field goals, a 15-yarder giving the Browns their first lead of the game at 13-10, and a 43-yarder with just over four minutes remaining, extending their advantage to 16-10. However, the Lions mounted a dramatic late-game drive. With 2 minutes and 8 seconds left on the clock, Jim Doran, filling in for the injured Leon Hart, hauled in a 33-yard touchdown pass from Layne. Walker's successful extra point brought the Lions within one point, 17-16. It was a remarkable moment for Doran, a defensive end pressed into receiver duties, as it was his only touchdown reception of the entire season. He had been instrumental on that final drive, catching three passes that moved the Lions down the field.

The ensuing Browns drive, with the legendary Otto Graham at the helm, was the final opportunity for Cleveland to snatch victory. However, the Lions' defense, a unit that had forced an impressive 53 turnovers during the regular season (second-most in the league), rose to the occasion. They intercepted a pass from Graham, effectively ending the Browns' hopes and securing a thrilling 17-16 victory for the Detroit Lions. It marked the second NFL title game ever played in Detroit and the second consecutive championship for the Lions. For the Browns, it was their third consecutive title game loss, a surprising drought for a team that had dominated the league in previous years.

Statistical highlights from the championship game revealed a mixed performance for both quarterbacks. Layne completed 12 of 25 passes for 179 yards, with one touchdown, two interceptions, and a fumble, while also rushing for 44 yards. Doran led the Lions in receiving with four catches for 95 yards and the game-winning touchdown, while Cloyce Box also contributed four receptions for 54 yards. For the Browns, Otto Graham had an uncharacteristically poor passing day, completing only 2 of 15 attempts for a mere 20 yards, with two interceptions and a fumble. He added nine rushing yards on five carries. The Lions' defense effectively contained the Hall of Fame quarterback. Browns running back Harry Jagielski had a strong performance, rushing for 102 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, along with one reception for 18 yards.

The 1953 season also marked the rookie year for future Hall of Fame linebacker Joe Schmidt of the Lions. A seventh-round draft pick who initially preferred to play for his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers, Schmidt ultimately signed with Detroit and became a cornerstone of their defense for years to come. He even considered an offer from the CFL's Toronto Argonauts before choosing the NFL. The Lions' defensive prowess was a key to their success, a testament to head coach Buddy Parker's philosophy of prioritizing a strong defense, even if it meant converting offensive players. This defensive focus proved highly effective for the Lions throughout the 1950s. The Detroit defense, though briefly nicknamed "Chris's Crew" after defensive back Jack Christiansen, never fully adopted a catchy moniker during this era, unlike their "Fearsome Foursome" defensive line of the 1960s.

Interestingly, the 1953 championship game marked the second consecutive year that a Lions player's wife gave birth on game day. In 1952, Dorn Dibble's wife had a baby girl, and in 1953, Thurman McGraw's wife welcomed their second son, a peculiar coincidence highlighting the personal lives intersecting with the high stakes of professional football. The Lions players each received $1,000 and a percentage of the gate for their championship victory, a modest sum compared to modern NFL bonuses. The 1953 NFL season and its dramatic conclusion in Detroit showcased a hard-fought battle between two of the league's powerhouses, ultimately solidifying the Detroit Lions' position as repeat champions in a game filled with memorable moments and individual heroics.