The Philly Bizzard

**Football Flashback:** December 19, 1948, saw a unique doubleheader in professional football. While the All-American Football Conference held its championship game that day, the NFL also crowned its champion in a brutal battle of wills. The Philadelphia Eagles hosted the Chicago Cardinals at Shibe Park in a game that became known as "The Philly Blizzard."

Conditions were absolutely frigid. With temperatures hovering around 27 degrees, nearly five inches of snow had to be removed from the playing surface. Despite these efforts, heavy snow continued to fall throughout the game, forcing the stadium lights to remain on despite it being a bright, albeit snowy, afternoon.

The inclement weather made the game a true test of endurance. Visibility was poor, and officials faced the daunting task of identifying the field lines amidst the swirling snow. The defenses dominated, with the only score coming in the third quarter when the Eagles capitalized on a Cardinals fumble, leading to a touchdown by Steve Van Buren. The final score: Philadelphia Eagles 7, Chicago Cardinals 0. It was a victory forged in the face of a ferocious blizzard, a testament to the grit and determination of the players who battled through the elements to claim the NFL Championship.