A Historic Day in NFL History
\"The Starters\" is a video series which gives people a chance to \"virtually\" hear the starters of critical championship football games early on in the 20th ce... — www.youtube.com
On December 17, 1933, Wrigley Field in Chicago hosted the first NFL Championship Game scheduled before the season began. This marked a significant step forward for the league, which had previously held a hastily organized championship game in 1932.
One of the most controversial plays in NFL history occurred during this game. With time winding down, Bronko Nagurski threw a forward pass to Bill Hewitt, who lateraled to Billy Karr, who scored a touchdown. This play led to the creation of the "Bronko Nagurski Rule," which allowed forward passes to be thrown from anywhere behind the line of scrimmage.
The game was a thrilling back-and-forth affair, featuring six lead changes. In the end, the Chicago Bears defeated the New York Giants 23-21, with Red Grange's crucial tackle preserving the victory.
This historic game not only determined a champion but also led to significant rule changes, including the division of the league into two divisions and the movement of the hash marks and goalposts. These changes helped to modernize the game and make it more exciting for fans.
