The NFL Championship Chronicles

The 1962 NFL season was a testament to the burgeoning dynasty of the Green Bay Packers, who, as defending champions, were on a mission to prove their 1961 victory was no fluke. In a compelling discussion on PigskinDispatch.com, host Darin Hayes welcomed Mr. Cliff Christl, the official team historian for the Green Bay Packers, to unpack the details leading up to and including the iconic 1962 NFL Championship. Christl, a seasoned sports writer with over 35 years of experience covering Wisconsin football, brought unparalleled insight into this pivotal era.

The Reign of Lombardi Begins
Before Vince Lombardi's arrival, the Packers had endured their roughest period in history, hitting rock bottom with a dismal 1-10-1 record in 1958. Lombardi’s hiring marked an immediate turnaround, launching a stretch where the team would capture an astonishing five NFL Championships in just seven years—a feat unmatched by any other team in a single decade.

The Packers’ dominance was particularly stark when compared to the Eastern Division, which, according to Christl, was notably weaker throughout much of the late 1950s and early 1960s. While the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns were consistent contenders in the East, the Western Division was a gauntlet. The Detroit Lions, in particular, presented the toughest challenge for Lombardi's Packers, often leading to more intense battles than even their championship clashes with the Giants.

A Shifting Landscape: The NFL in 1962
The 1962 season also coincided with significant foundational changes in professional football. The rival American Football League (AFL), bolstered by its multi-year contract with ABC, spurred the NFL to secure its first-ever national broadcast contract with CBS, a groundbreaking deal worth $4.5 million. This year also saw the debut of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, a precursor to the Hall of Fame's construction, featuring the Giants.

Perhaps most profoundly, the AFL's quick ascent forced the NFL to confront its demographics. As Christl notes, the AFL effectively "mined the Black colleges," recruiting immensely talented players from institutions like Grambling and Prairie View A&M. In the NFL, Lombardi's Packers stood out as one of the few teams with an "open door, no quotas" policy. This commitment to talent, regardless of race, would prove crucial to their sustained success, especially as their defense, which became legendary in the mid-60s, featured six Black starters, four of whom are now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Overcoming Adversity: The Absence of Paul Hornung
The 1962 season presented a significant challenge for the Packers: the absence of their perceived "best player," Paul Hornung. Hornung, whom Lombardi himself called "the greatest player I ever coached," was sidelined for much of the season due to a torn ankle ligament. Lombardi's offense was famously built around his left halfback, a role Hornung mastered with the signature "power sweep, red right 49."

Despite Hornung's absence, the Packers adapted. While Paul Hornung's role in the power sweep was central, Jim Taylor, the league MVP that year with nearly 1,500 rushing yards, took on a larger workload. Although Taylor was not primarily a power sweep runner (a role usually reserved for the left halfback, such as Hornung, who was also noted as an exceptional blocker), he excelled with weak-side sweeps. Players like Tom Moore, a promising backup halfback, and Elijah Pitts stepped up to fill the void. Moore, a big back with speed who had previously led the league in kickoff returns, saw increased playing time before injuries hampered his consistency. The challenges presented by undiagnosed injuries, common in an era without modern medical imaging like MRIs, often forced players to play through pain, tragically shortening careers like that of Gale Sayers.

A Stacked Roster and a Brutal Championship Game
Despite Hornung's limited availability, the 1962 Packers offense was remarkably potent, leading the league in rushing. The offensive line was a fortress, featuring five Pro Bowl-caliber players: Ron Kramer at tight end (a phenomenal athlete who also excelled in basketball and track), Forrest Gregg at tackle, Jerry Kramer and Fuzzy Thurston at guard, and the strong tandem of Bob Skoronski and Norm Masters at left tackle. This dominant line, combined with a well-balanced passing attack led by Bart Starr (who was still establishing himself), made them nearly unstoppable.

The 1962 NFL Championship Game against the Giants, played on December 31st at Yankee Stadium, was a brutal, wind-swept affair. While the temperature wasn't as low as the famed "Ice Bowl," gusts up to 45 miles per hour made conditions miserable. Linebacker Ray Nitschke, who played his first year as an established starter, was named MVP, though Jim Taylor's hard-fought 85 yards on 31 carries underscored the physicality of the game.

The Packers' defense was equally formidable. Anchored by the outstanding play of outside linebackers Dan Curry and Bill Forrester, as well as the emerging brilliance of Nitschke, they boasted a secondary featuring Willie Wood at free safety and Herb Adderley at cornerback. Wood and Adderley combined for 15 interceptions and were also dynamic in the return game. This deep, talented roster, built on Lombardi's commitment to excellence and his progressive approach to integrating Black players, made the 1962 Green Bay Packers a truly legendary team with virtually no weaknesses.